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Problems After Adding Too Much Oil
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bradford0113
Novice
Jan 26, 2017, 6:11 AM
Post #1 of 8
(1695 views)
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Problems After Adding Too Much Oil
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I just recently gave my sister-in-law my 2002 Saturn SL2 with about 180k miles on it. Her boyfriend thought it was low on oil and added three quarts of oil when in reality it was less than a half quart low.
She called me to say that her car would not drive over 20mph and then proceeded to tell me about adding the oil. When I went over to take a look this evening, there was oil almost half-way up the dip stick, oil on top of of the valve cover, and a rather large puddle of oil under the car just inside the drivers front wheel which appeared to be running down the parking lot at her apartment complex. The car still ran fine at idle while I was there with no odd sounds coming from the engine. I did tell them to NOT drive it anymore.
I am planning to go back tomorrow with tools and jack stands to drain and replace all of the oil (and filter) and try to inspect for further damage. I am guessing that a main seal might be blown but not exactly sure how to tell.
Does anyone have any ideas of what kind of damage may have been done here? Is it possible that oil may have blown past some seals but the seals are still okay and everything will be fine? Just trying to get some ideas of what I may end up against.
I am guessing that there may have also been oil getting into the combustion chambers because of the performance issues she was describing. If so, how would I go about cleaning them out? May need some new plugs too. Could something else be causing the performance issues after adding too much oil?
Any thoughts here would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Brad
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2017, 6:37 AM
Post #2 of 8
(1679 views)
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Re: Problems After Adding Too Much Oil
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How do you know NOW it was only 1/2 quart low? You won't know how much was in there unless you measure what you get out but the symptoms are terrible of course any which way.
Just FYI - dipsticks aren't accurate much beyond the full line and the add line as to how much it means over or under those. Car must be on level ground and have had engine off for some time, less if it was warm.
Do your thing and put in exact amount known with filter and see how it goes. There could be a whole series of tests and checks you could do ahead but I'd begin there and see what you have.
Seals don't necessarily blow out rather wild splashing of oil in moving parts up to easily destroying an engine beyond repair. You might get lucky and can't know much more until you do something. Don't even run it again until you change out oil and do measure what you get, filter and all,
T
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kev2
Veteran
Jan 26, 2017, 6:50 AM
Post #3 of 8
(1677 views)
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Re: Problems After Adding Too Much Oil
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think positive - If there were no issues before overfill then drain the oil change filter for good practice, clean up what ever oil visible on engine, maybe check the PCV system, and you should be good. Take a drive to an auto parts store and get a free scan just to be safe its free fast and a place to check on any leaks.
I suspect the 20mph limit was there before the maxi lube incident.
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bradford0113
Novice
Jan 26, 2017, 7:40 AM
Post #4 of 8
(1673 views)
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Re: Problems After Adding Too Much Oil
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Thanks for the response. The boyfriend showed me where the oil level was at on the dipstick before adding the 3 quarts which was about half way between the low and full lines on the dipstick which relates to approximately a half-quart.
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kev2
Veteran
Jan 26, 2017, 7:54 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: Problems After Adding Too Much Oil
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X2
Take a drive to an auto parts store and get a free scan just to be safe its free fast and a place to check - on any trans codes
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bradford0113
Novice
Jan 26, 2017, 8:06 AM
Post #8 of 8
(1657 views)
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Re: Problems After Adding Too Much Oil
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I think the transmission was leaking fluid from the screw-on filter on the side of the transmission (similar to oil filter).
My plan for this evening is to drain and replace all of the engine oil with new oil and filter. Also replace the transmission fluid filter and have fluid on-hand to bring back to proper level. Then clean all of the oil residue from underneath as best as possible and hope for the best.
Thanks for the responses.
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