Why is my dipstick reading over-full after oil change?

[EArp]

Can someone please help me understand why my dipstick is reading over the full mark after I was careful to put EXACTLY 3 gallons in? It's over by about the thickness of 2 or 3 pennies stacked together. Should I worry about this?? Anyone else ever had this type of issue before? Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[DPKetchum]

Drive it and enjoy.

 

[AH64ID]

Dont ever blindly put what the motor holds back in on an oil change... You cant get all the oil out of the motor when you drain it... .



I start at about 1qt less than what the motor holds, start it, let it run for 30 seconds (make sure the filter is full), shut it off, wait 5 minutes and see where its at, then add from there... .



Your not supposed to run a cummins over filled, I keep mine at 70% on the operating range, cold... . But I would say you will be fine.

 

[EArp]

Thanks guys. Even though it'll be a little messy i'm thinking I might drain some out anyway just for peace of mind.

 

[JStieger]

I wouldn't worry about it.



My truck sometimes does the same thing with oil level after an oil change.



I just start it up, run it for a bit, shut-down, and re-check the oil level after letting it sit for a bit and find that the oil level has dropped a hair below the full line.

 

[AH64ID]

Thanks guys. Even though it'll be a little messy i'm thinking I might drain some out anyway just for peace of mind.

If you really want to remove some oil I would remove the filter, dump it, and put it back on... much easier and much less messy.

 

[CStockton]

start it, let it run for 30 seconds (make sure the filter is full), shut it off, wait 5 minutes and see where its at, then add from there... .

I admire your patience. Oo.

 

[JCasper]

I fill the filter and dump the remainder of 3 gallons in the engine and call it good

 

[CStockton]

I fill the filter and dump the remainder of 3 gallons in the engine and call it good

X2.

It's worked for the last 35 years and numerous cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats.

 

[EArp]

Maybe i'm just overreacting... i'm sure it's not that big 'a deal. I appreciate ya'lls replys though. I think I just didn't account for the oil that was still left in the engine after I drained it.

 

[Regcabguy]

Ditto

I fill the filter and dump the remainder of 3 gallons in the engine and call it good

Ditto. Mine came with the oil reading at the top of the plastic piece when new. I drained maybe 1/2 qt. out thinking they overfilled at the factory and it plunged halfway down the "safe" mark. My first oil change I was very careful to drain for at least 1/2 hr. I used exactly three gallons of oil,primed the filter and installed the balance. Lo and behold it's right back up at the top of the plastic again. A little unnerving but that's my index mark.

 

[JCasper]

Ditto. Mine came with the oil reading at the top of the plastic piece when new. I drained maybe 1/2 qt. out thinking they overfilled at the factory and it plunged halfway down the "safe" mark. My first oil change I was very careful to drain for at least 1/2 hr. I used exactly three gallons of oil,primed the filter and installed the balance. Lo and behold it's right back up at the top of the plastic again. A little unnerving but that's my index mark.

I usually let mine drain for at least a half hour also. I usually come home, flip the switch on the drain valve and go in the house for a while. I then come out, pull the old filter off, put the new full of oil filter back on, close the drain and fill er up. Then it's time to go.

 

[rbattelle]

I fill the filter and dump the remainder of 3 gallons in the engine and call it good

Me too. There have, however, been 2 occasions where I somehow got it overfilled by about 3/8" on the dipstick. Both times I drained a bit.



I'd say within 1/4" of the full mark and you're better off leaving it alone than hassling with it.



Also be sure you're parking on level ground. If the truck is leaning back slightly, that will make the oil level appear higher than it really is (dipstick is at the back of the engine).



Ryan

 

[AABEN]

MY 03 DOES THE SAME ALWAYS OVER FULL. LIKE THE MAN SAID HOLD OUT ONE qt THEN CHECK AFTER RUNING SO THE FILTER IS FULL AND AIR IS OUT. THAT WAY YOUR BREATHER PIPE WILL HAVE LESS DRIP.

 

[3grumpy]

I think mine only holds 11 1/2 quarts. I take the extra 1/2 quart and put it in my tool box for make up oil if I need it

 

[jjdiesel]

It's been posted before... some dipsticks come out mis-calibrated. Best thing is to drain well, put in a full 12 qts. and if it is off the mark after driving and letting it sit level for a half hour... then put a tiny notch in the dipstick for your own personal touch. I wouldn't mess with adjusting the quantity of oil... 12 qts. is 12 qts. Just my personal humble opinion.

 

[CharlesHoward]

Mine is over-full too. I drained for at least 15 minutes, then installed a Fumota easy drain and dumped it about 3 times before adding the remainder of 3 gallons of Rotella Synthetic (only CI-4 I could easily find and only $16 at Wal-Mart) after filling and installing the new oil filter. Now my dipstick reading is at least 1/4 inch "too full". I doubt I will drain any out, but its an annoyance for sure. Will remember to hold some back next time I change it in a year...

 

[betterthanstock]

Oil fill level is a relative thing anyway.

When it runs, the oil drops, as it clings to parts, especially in the head.

When you brake, it pools to the front, when accelerating, to the rear. The engine is intalled at an angle to make the driveshaft line up better. That means when you accelerate uphill, the rear cranks will be hitting oil no matter what.



As long as the oil pump never sucks air, and as long as the rear crank does not hit oil too often, you're good to go.



Real performance engines use a dry sump anyway.

 

[steved]

It's been posted before... some dipsticks come out mis-calibrated. Best thing is to drain well, put in a full 12 qts. and if it is off the mark after driving and letting it sit level for a half hour... then put a tiny notch in the dipstick for your own personal touch. I wouldn't mess with adjusting the quantity of oil... 12 qts. is 12 qts. Just my personal humble opinion.

Thank you... I was just going to say this very thing.



The dipsticks are known to be upwards of two full quarts off... I drain, put the plug in, and fill with 3 gallons. My dad and I have both done this for well over 600k without a hitch...

 

[Regcabguy]

12 big ones.

Thank you... I was just going to say this very thing.



The dipsticks are known to be upwards of two full quarts off... I drain, put the plug in, and fill with 3 gallons. My dad and I have both done this for well over 600k without a hitch...

Yeah,I lay out three gallons of Delo 15-40,drain the sucker and remove the filter. Prime the filter,fill the engine with the balance and take note of the dipstick reading. In my case it's to the top of the plastic thingy,just as it's been since new. Kinda unnerving,buts qts. is qts.