Is 1/2 quart overfill enough to be concerned about

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Messages
977
Location
NC, United States
I took my 97 4 cyl (5SFE) Camry to the dealer today for various services and had them change the oil using my M1 5W30 HM. The tech overfilled by about 1/2 quart. I know questions on the dangers of overfilling have been posed here many times including by me. I can't remember anyone asking about 1/2 qt over. Is that much overfill a cause for concern in a car that calls for 3.7 qts?
 
Unless it's foamy after a drive, no worries. I over fill my wifes car by 1 qt all the time just because she never checks her oil level.
 
How do you know it is 1/2 quart overfilled ? The tech filled 4.2 qt into a sump of 3.7 qt ? It is possible he filled 4.0 qt, unless most other cars need 4.2 qt.

I think 1/2 qt overfilled is okay, more than 1 qt overfilled then some oil is needed to siphon out.
 
it wont hurt anything, but i can understand you being concerned about it
i'll bet by your next oil change that 1/2 qt will no longer be there
 
No. The overfill isn't of urgent concern. The dealer foley is of concern. I got my 13 Camry over filled at the dealer by over a quart. That really [censored] me off. That is ALL they do ALL DAY LONG.

And they say, "Trust us for all your repairs" ...heck , you couldn't even fill the oil correctly. Makes me feel sick when I HAVE to go in for something I must take it in for like a recall.
 
It's not a case of just .5 qt. over.
Nor is it a case of 16 oz. over in a 3.7 qt. capacity system.
It's a case of .5 qt. over in YOUR engine.
Me, I don't know.
I'd bet it presents no problem. Kira
 
LOL! Do you concern yourself as much when you traverse up or down a grade? Do you freak out when you drive on any road not level? How steep is your driveway approach? 1/2 quart overfill...hahaha.

Originally Posted By: teddyboy
Is that much overfill a cause for concern in a car that calls for 3.7 qts?
 
Overfilled is a relative term.

If the oil level is high enough that the crank is splashing into it that is very,very,very bad and needs immediate attention. If the crank is above the oil all is well.

Just to throw it out there. The Ford 2v mod motors used to call for 6 quarts. Then one year they changed to 7. The only change was the dipstick length.
I've personally poured 7 quarts into a mod motor oil pan and the level was below the gasket level and no crank interference.
Each engine is its own animal so making a blanket statement that a half quart over in any engine is not very smart since each engine is different.
 
Last time I checked an overfill would be anything above the safe zone on the dipstick. Most dipsticks even have a caution marked on them that says "do not overfill." In my view any amount above the safe zone should be removed as soon as possible. There is no excuse for any dealer making that kind of sloppy mistake. Oh by the way. None of these "experts" that tell you not to worry about it are going to help pay for any damages done by an overfill.
 
Originally Posted By: SilverSnake
Last time I checked an overfill would be anything above the safe zone on the dipstick. Most dipsticks even have a caution marked on them that says "do not overfill." In my view any amount above the safe zone should be removed as soon as possible. There is no excuse for any dealer making that kind of sloppy mistake. Oh by the way. None of these "experts" that tell you not to worry about it are going to help pay for any damages done by an overfill.



This isn't bad advice.
 
I will.

Originally Posted By: SilverSnake
Oh by the way. None of these "experts" that tell you not to worry about it are going to help pay for any damages done by an overfill.
 
Strange comment coming from a guy giving oil advice in other threads.

Originally Posted By: jacky
i agree few people on here are a certified mechanic or a oil change specialist
 
i agree im just some guy with an opinion
if anyone on here has A.S.E certifaction papers or training by walmart auto etc.. i would love to see their papers
they must be up to date, if your papers are expired you are no longer qualified to do that kind of work
 
Originally Posted By: teddyboy
Next time I'll take in 4 qts instead of a 5 qt jug. That will limit how much he can overfill.


Or, he'll end up adding that 1/2 quart extra with their bulk oil, something I'm sure you wouldn't be happy about either.

Seriously though, a half quart over isn't a big deal at all for 99.9% of the engines out there. Keep bringing them a full 5 qt jug.
 
Spare me. Without even trying, I can provide a dozen forum members whose advice I'd take over some ASE guy. If Doug Hillary told me to do the exact opposite of what some ASE guy told me, I'd do what Doug said without question.

Originally Posted By: jacky
i agree im just some guy with an opinion
if anyone on here has A.S.E certifaction papers or training by walmart auto etc.. i would love to see their papers
they must be up to date, if your papers are expired you are no longer qualified to do that kind of work
 
I had the same car that had an oil leak, I always poured in 4 quarts and when adding makeup oil I just dumped extra in. It took it like a champ! Nothing to worry about.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top