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

[DPalmquist]

why does cummins say not to over fill?

 

[TAbbott]

In an overfilled pan, the oil level so high that the throws of the crankshaft hit it when the engines running. Not only does this sap power, affecting fuel mileage, but it also beats the oil into a froth, effectively putting lots of air bubbles into it, adversely affecting its ability to lubricate properly.

 

[sweeda]

my 04. 5 has 135,000 miles on it. I've changed my own oil at 5,000 miles. I've also had the over fill problem a few different times. All of those times I've come up with human error. 12 qts. is 12 qts. but when 11. 5 is all that is drained than 12 qts. is 12. 5 qts. I've had my truck jacked up wrong both ways from one side higher than the other. or the front higher and lower than the rear. AND not allowing enough time to drain completely. After 27 oil changes this is my advise. next oil change measure the drained oil and mark your drain PAN. 12 out 12 in. mark or note dripstick level. always check oil level on the flat street. MOST driveways are sloped toward the street to drain water away from the house.

 

[MChildress]

When you first change the oil it will always show high. Check it again in a couple hours it will be right. Takes a few for the cool oil to settle through these motors. I did the same thing would stop on full with 11 qts. and check it the next morning and be a qt. low.

 

[WCounts]

The truck has to be exactly level for the dip stick to read right. A little out of level will make a differance and I believe most will read a little past the full mark with the angle of the engine. They hold 3 gals with a filter change.

 

[steved]

As discussed in the past, the engagement of the dipstick tube into the block varies from engine to engine... the reason there is a "safe" range. There are 100 post threads on the subject...



I do not trust the dipstick only to verify there is oil in the crankcase... I know my truck takes almost 5 gallons to fill the filters and the crankcase... I fill by volume, not by a dipstick reading.

 

[DPalmquist]

Steved what filters do you have?

 

[steved]

Steved what filters do you have?

I have a Gulf Coast 0-1 Bypass filter... it takes slightly less than two gallons itself.

 

[DPalmquist]

Thanks Tabbot, probably no way to tell though Huh?

 

[nickleinonen]

i put in 12 liters in the sump [& filter] and don't worry about it. .

 

[AH64ID]

why does cummins say not to over fill?

I am with this one... There are two things keeping me from just pouring the amount of oil the engine holds into it... One is my bypass, I don't know for sure how much the filter/lines all hold. Two is there is a crosshatch on the dipstick for a reason. I keep mine in the middle of the crosshatch when cold and its about the top when hot (I hold ~3. 5-3. 75 gallons) so the heat expansion accounts for a fair amount of volume increase. There is always oil left in your motor, so if a brand new motor takes 12 quarts (and thats with the OEM filter, other filters may hold more/less) it stands to reason that you will never get all 12 quarts out, there are cavities in the head, the block, and the oil cooler. So you are possibly overfilling your motor if you just pour and ignore.



The dipstick calibration falls under the same category as gauges on a stock truck. . Its a case of TMI... 99% of users go off of the dipstick, and have 0 issues. An overfull engine, which is possible if you ignore the dipstick and just add oil, is more likely to cause engine issues than the possibility of a miscalibrated dipstick...



just my . 02

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

OK, just curious, where do we get the idea the engine takes 12 quarts in the first place?? According to this the capacity is 11 quarts counting the filter (this is 12V & 24V engines but I think the 3rd Gen is the same)

2001 ISB engine specs
2001 ISB engine specs

Over the years I've usually used the Amsoil 2. 5 gallon container, then add a quart, which puts it pretty close to the full mark on my '98, my '01 and my '03.

Overfilling runs the risk of foaming the oil, not good.

 

[AH64ID]

3rd gen service/owners manual states 12 with filter.

 

[DPKetchum]

My 93 w250 took 13. My 03 takes 12. Dipstick was correct on my 1993 W250 and is spot on my 03 Dually. A little over or under isn't going to bother anything.