Dealership filled engine with too much oil...

[AbsolutelyRed]

Originally Posted by mikenacarato

you did wipe the dipstick off and check it again didnt you?

Over and over, I have found that it is not enough to just wipe the dipstick... somehow oil gets farther up the dipstick than the true indication--I think it picks up oil from the dipstick tube as it's inserted and withdrawn. I find that unless the dipstick has been sitting in the engine for awhile (with the engine off of course), it's very hard to tell where the actual level is just by wiping off the dipstick and inserting/removing the dipstick to take the reading. (Especially with fresh oil; when the oil gets darker, it's quite a bit easier to tell.)

I have found the easiest way for me to get an accurate reading is to check in the morning, and to just pull out the dipstick and take the reading. No wiping necessary, and no false indication of a higher level. Also, one side of the dipstick always seems easier to read than the other--don't ask me why.

And to those who say the correct fill is 3.5 quarts, maybe you aren't changing your filter at the same time? Or maybe you did, but didn't re-check the level after running the engine and filling up the dry filter? or maybe you didn't get a good reading due to not waiting long enough after replacing the dipstick, like I was saying above?

I have confirmed at least 5 or 6 times now that 3.9 quarts is correct. There's no way I can figure out that 3.5 quarts would be enough oil for a full fill (assuming a complete drain and a new filter, and an accurate level reading).

AR

[nemelek]

Originally Posted by AbsolutelyRed

I have confirmed at least 5 or 6 times now that 3.9 quarts is correct. There's no way I can figure out that 3.5 quarts would be enough oil for a full fill (assuming a complete drain and a new filter, and an accurate level reading).

AR

Just did my oil change 2 days ago. Went and checked the level while reading this post and the 3.9 quarts of oil I put in put the oil level right at the top mark.

[posaunemeister]

Originally Posted by nemelek

Just did my oil change 2 days ago. Went and checked the level while reading this post and the 3.9 quarts of oil I put in put the oil level right at the top mark.

Yeah, I went back and checked my oil level after adding those 4qts and I was barely beyond the max fill level. So I drained some of it yesterday evening. I'm going to check the level right now, as the car has been sitting outside in the cold all night long.

[Yaris Hilton]

Originally Posted by posaunemeister

Yeah, I went back and checked my oil level after adding those 4qts and I was barely beyond the max fill level.

Same here. No way I'm going to drain it, as it's not hurting a thing. And no way am I going to try to measure and subtract 0.10 quart when filling my engine. I'll put in 4 and drive off happily. Putting in another whole quart would doubtless cause problems with oil splashing, aerating, excessive oil consumption through the PCV system, etc., but an overfill of 2.5% isn't worth obsessing over. Completely negligible.

[Sir A.Y. Atoyot]

The way I heard it, what happens when you put 'way too much oil in an engine is that the crankshaft counterweights and the big ends of the connecting rods hit the oil and beat it into a froth. Enough of that and the oil pump starts sucking air. Since air is compressible, unlike oil, this can cause an air lock, and goodbye bearings! OP is lucky if no damage was done.

[Yaris Hilton]

Originally Posted by Sir A.Y. Atoyot

The way I heard it, what happens when you put 'way too much oil in an engine is that the crankshaft counterweights and the big ends of the connecting rods hit the oil and beat it into a froth. Enough of that and the oil pump starts sucking air. Since air is compressible, unlike oil, this can cause an air lock, and goodbye bearings!

Exactly right. My point is that 4 quarts isn't "way too much oil." Toyota's engineers are competent enough not to put their recommended fill level right on the brink of disaster. There's a considerable margin for error.

[schleppy]

Originally Posted by AbsolutelyRed

And to those who say the correct fill is 3.5 quarts, maybe you aren't changing your filter at the same time? Or maybe you did, but didn't re-check the level after running the engine and filling up the dry filter? or maybe you didn't get a good reading due to not waiting long enough after replacing the dipstick, like I was saying above?

I have confirmed at least 5 or 6 times now that 3.9 quarts is correct. There's no way I can figure out that 3.5 quarts would be enough oil for a full fill (assuming a complete drain and a new filter, and an accurate level reading).

AR

I usually end putting in between 3.6 and 3.9 quarts (with a filter change). Depending on how I drain the oil (if I have access to a lift, ramps, etc) I think a little more oil ends up left behind. Just go by your dipstick. It's ok to be below the full mark, just keep it between the middle mark and the full mark.

People over think this stuff way too much. Being off by .X quarts is not going to blow up your motor.