Oil level

[Sammy]

Had first oil change at Sub dealer on a Forester. Oil level is 1 inch
above the dipstick full line, on flat surface, first thing in the
morning.

I assume this is too high???

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Had first oil change at Sub dealer on a Forester. Oil level is 1 inch
above the dipstick full line, on flat surface, first thing in the
morning.

I assume this is too high???

Ya know, a half inch I might let slide - but this seems like an issue
where i'd probably take it back. Sounds like it's 3/4 to over 1 qt. too
much. yeah, I'd take it back. At MINIMUM, call them, make them write up
a ticket, enter it in the system, send you a copy - so IF there were any
claim in the future related to lubrication you'd have some ammo on your
side.

 

[Edward Hayes]

If the oil level when HOT is above the notch above the full hole then
it's overfilled and some should be removed.

 

[Vanguard]

Had first oil change at Sub dealer on a Forester. Oil level is 1 inch
above the dipstick full line, on flat surface, first thing in the
morning.

I assume this is too high???

Check when hot but after it has sat for awhile with the engine turned
off for the oil to drain back down into the pan. The level should be no
higher than the top end of the "hot" range on the dipstick. Oil expands
when hot and contracts when cold, so different temperatures will give
you different readings. "Cold" readings are unreliable since just when
is cold really cold? Get the engine up to normal operating temperature,
turn off, let sit to drain, then check. Some dipsticks simply have a
crosshatch marked range where the level should be at the midpoint.

When too much oil is in the engine, pressure in the crankcase may get
too high and you'll get leakages through the oil pan gasket and other
seals. Mileage might be reduced when the oil level is too high with the
crankshaft having to splash through the oil. The splashing could foam up
the oil which makes the oil pressure drop and might cause premature
engine wear or even damage. However, usually too much oil just ends up
making a mess.

With gas prices these days, you don't need too much oil reducing your
mileage, and too much oil can cause other problems, like seals that the
dealer tells you a year from now need to be replaced because they're
leaking. I'd take it back and have them get the level right.

 

[Phil]

yep - sure is! Out of curiosity, did you check it again when warm?

 

[CompUser]

news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
(e-mail address removed) says...

If the oil level when HOT is above the notch above the full hole then
it's overfilled and some should be removed.

He clearly said it's an INCH over Full, first
thing in the morning. That's WAY over filled.

Go with what the other poster said, about calling
it in, etc.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I assume this is too high???

Hi,

Sounds WAY high to me at first... but I think you've been given good
advice on checking warm as well as cold. IME, most engines I've worked
with showed about 1/4" difference between hot and cold measurements (hot
being higher.) But, once in a while, I've found one that DID register
rather high when cold as a lot of oil drained down, then showed "normal"
when hot, though that hasn't been my Subie experience.

Good luck!

Rick

 

[S.H.]

Had first oil change at Sub dealer on a Forester. Oil level is 1 inch
above the dipstick full line, on flat surface, first thing in the
morning.

I have had what appear to be bad oil level readings on my 2005 Forester
X. I recently changed the oil. Drained oil completely; new filter; put
in 4.2 quarts; ran the engine for a few minutes and then let it sit for
15 minutes. Checked the oil level and it was just at the bottom of the
full mark as expected. Next day drove it and then let it sit for
several hours and then checked the oil level again after it had
cooled. It appeared to be well above the full level.

Anyone else see anything like this?

 

[Edward Hayes]

Yes I have on my 2000 Forester. Seems to settle down after a few runs.
I don't know why but, maybe something to do with air getting retrapped
in the filter even though I prefill. I do know that oil has a
capillary action and will climb up the dip stick over time. So pull,
wipe dip stick, wait 5-10 minutes, insert SLOWLY and remove SLOWLY.
That allows any oil in the dip stick tube to run back into the sump.

 

[Sammy]

Took it back to the dealer. They let it sit 10 minutes and checked it.
Service manager said it was 2/10 qt too high. When I spoke to tech
after completion, he said 1/2 qt too high. He then stated that he
corrected it right to the full line. Drove home, let it sit for 20
minutes, now it is about 1/2 inch (rather than 1 inch) over full mark,
which puts it at the "nick" on the dipstick. What the heck is going
on?

Anyone know what the significance of this nick on the stick ?

 

[S.H.]

Yes I have on my 2000 Forester. Seems to settle down after a few runs.
I don't know why but, maybe something to do with air getting retrapped
in the filter even though I prefill. I do know that oil has a
capillary action and will climb up the dip stick over time.

Glad it is not only me. The first time I was ready to drain the oil and
start over even though I was sure of how much oil I put in. I tried the
pre-fill of the filter this time to see if it made a difference (I did
not pre-fill on the other changes) but no improvement.

With every other car I've used, I could check the oil after the car sat
overnight by just pulling and checking the dip stick -- no need to even
wipe since the oil had sufficient time to drain down completely.

I suspect it is oil in the dip stick tube since even when I get a good
reading, I can see some oil along one edge or side of the stick well
above the level. The SLOW pulling and replacing helps, but should not be
necessary.

This can obviously cause some problems as some folks will be blaming a
mechanic for overfilling, or even worse, thinking they have sufficient
oil when they are actually low. Have many other folks seen this, too?

 

[S.H.]

corrected it right to the full line. Drove home, let it sit for 20
minutes, now it is about 1/2 inch (rather than 1 inch) over full mark,
which puts it at the "nick" on the dipstick. What the heck is going
on?

See my post elsewhere in this thread. I have seen the same thing when I
knew how much oil was put in. Try pulling and re-inserting the dip stick
slowly and see if you get a different reading. This has been bothering
me through all 3 of my 2005's oil changes.

Anyone know what the significance of this nick on the stick ?

It is suppose to be the high-high level for a hot engine, i.e. when
hot it should be between the full mark and the notch but not above the
notch. A cold engine should be at the full mark. (It is also good at
catching fibers as you try to wipe the dipstick.)

 

[Edward Hayes]

As stated the notch is the maximum recommended oil level of HOT oil.
Hot meaning after a highway run and not just a 2 mile jaunt to the
store.