Over filled my engine oil slightly...problem?

nottingham13

Hi

I topped up my oil today and accidently put too much in. It's only 4-5mm above the max level mark.

Is this a problem?
Thanks

C_Mababejive

I wouldnt worry too much about it.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

MAX mark means maximum, overfilling can cause just as much damage as no oil!.

vikingaero

Depends on the car.

Sgt_Pepper_2

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

MAX mark means maximum, overfilling can cause just as much damage as no oil!.

I agree, always used to be the case.

Wig

depends on the amount overfilled and the car.
It probably won't make any difference. not 4mm.

I'd be very surprised if they didn't build in an idiot tolerance for overfilling. Overfill by a litre, about 15mm on the stick and then you're in trouble.

Certainly if your car burns oil I wouldn't worry, it'll get burnt off eventually. If it doesn't burn oil then probably won't affect it, and up to you if you want to drain off for 2 seconds.
.

Tobster86

It's much more of a problem for diesels.

Too much oil can get into the cylinders; either through weakened seals due to excess oil pressure on an older engine or simply via the air intake through overflowing through the breather system.

Once it's in the cylinders it can be compression-ignited, just like diesel. Diesel engines will run absolutely fine on engine oil if it can be delivered to the cylinders.

Under these circumstances, the engine can potentially runaway (rev itself to death).


This is generally an extreme case, but given how long it could be before the next service, I'd consider draining the excess oil out for the sake of longetivity.

In the case of petrols it's less severe; but potential extra wear on seals due to the extra oil pressure, and damage to the catalytic converter from burning the oil.


Your options for draining are:
-From the sump drain plug (as per oil changes in the Haynes manual which are very easy; you will need a 15 to 21mm sized spanner.
-In the case of some engines where the oil fills straight into the sump instead of via the cylinder head, including older Peugeot diesels, it can be siphoned up from the oil filler.
-Take it somewhere. I'd actually suggest going into somewhere like Kwik Fit and offerring for them to do it off the books for a jar of coffee or a few beers. It would literally take them 2min. It worked for me when I needed a wheel bearing pressing into a hub!

TrickyWicky

Wig wrote: »

I'd be very surprised if they didn't build in an idiot tolerance for overfilling.

Just what I was thinking. Engineers have to work with tolerances all the time so it would make sense that they'd do the same with engine oil levels.. unless they're french

Wig

TrickyWicky wrote: »

. unless they're french

:rotfl:.......................

nottingham13

My car is 23 years old and it's a Peugeot 205 petrol.

Good news I put a 5mm tube down the dipstick and used a syringe to sick out the excess oil. I am now under the max by 4 mm.

Thanks for your help

Wig

Big syringe? How much did you take out?