I have replace the oil pan (dented on severe road slope)on my '90 560SEL with an after market unit. Now at oil and filter change 8 1/2 quarts of oil shows at the minimum mark of the dip stick. The only thing I can figure out is that the new pan is of a larger capacity(deeper) although it seemed to be of the same size.
OIL CAPACITY
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It is assumed you’re checking the oil hot.
Is there any oil on the metal part of the dipstick, however low? Could you have mis-measured when replacing the oil, it’s easy to loose count. Are you sure there are no leaks?
There is always some oil left in the engine when changed, as much as a quart and a half. By replacing the pan you more than likely have most of the oil out. one would also assume a larger pan will not fit properly. Add perhaps a half quart and take the car for a drive getting the engine at normal operating temp and check again.
Is there any oil on the metal part of the dipstick, however low? Could you have mis-measured when replacing the oil, it’s easy to loose count. Are you sure there are no leaks?
There is always some oil left in the engine when changed, as much as a quart and a half. By replacing the pan you more than likely have most of the oil out. one would also assume a larger pan will not fit properly. Add perhaps a half quart and take the car for a drive getting the engine at normal operating temp and check again.
This is my first oil change since replacing the oil pan. At the time of the pan replacement I added 10 quarts of oil which brought it up close to the high mark on the dip stick. I would have thought that at this oil change things would be back to normal, however, with 8 1/2 quarts oil level is barely on the metal part of the dip stick. I am puzzled.
I have used the same indie oil change shop for many years with all our cars. I usually have the oil drained with a warm engine. They use a few blast of compressed air at the end (is that a good thing?). In my case 8 qt always overfills and I have them stop at 7 1/2, then drive the car up to temp. and add as needed. There are several write ups under oil change and lubricants on this forum (search box). It may be time for me to re visit as well. Thanks for reminding me. Horst K
I've been puzzled for some time on this. Early morning after car has been stationary all night
the oil level is at the MAX mark.
Take a oil reading immediately after a run & it shows oil level around the MIN mark, indicating theres a lot of oil in circulation within the engine & not in the sump.
What's the correct proceedure to measure the oil level
the oil level is at the MAX mark.
Take a oil reading immediately after a run & it shows oil level around the MIN mark, indicating theres a lot of oil in circulation within the engine & not in the sump.
What's the correct proceedure to measure the oil level
The dipstick is calibrated to read on a hot engine, when the oil is still up in the engine and not in the sump, that’s why the oil reads high – sometimes over the max mark - when the dip is checked cold. You should only add oil after reading the dipstick on hot engine. The best way for me is at every fill up as the engine is just off and you can get an accurate read.
sunny, you need to let us know what the reading is on a hot engine.
I have no idea how you got so much oil into the engine w/o an overfill. Maybe you’re right and you’ve got some weird giant pan…
sunny, you need to let us know what the reading is on a hot engine.
I have no idea how you got so much oil into the engine w/o an overfill. Maybe you’re right and you’ve got some weird giant pan…
Mistery solved, the impact on the oil pan actually caused the dip stick tube to be pushed up thus creating a false reading, by not allowing the dip stick to go all the way. Now my concern is since the car ran with 10 quarts of oil for approx 3,000 miles, what possible engine damage might have occurred. All seems normal at this time.
I don't know whether the experts agree, but I think you might get foaming in your crankcase. Over the long term propably not a good thing. Some shops can remove oil via the dipstick tube. For a few bucks they can remove the excess oil. I would have them take out a little extra. If slightly low, after you have driven the car up to temperature it's easy to add a bit. Cheerio, Horst K
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