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Oil level too high after oil change?

jawiv

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Got an oil change and checked the dipstick afterwards to find that the oil level looks like it is too high. What do you guys think? Should I take it back?

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JetGray_Mach1

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The dipstick is not that accurate you are fine. A little overfilled wont do anything and hope you were in flat ground and waited about 10-15 min. I think the coyote is fine up to 1 qt overfilled if I am not mistaken, when I fill it up after oil change (10 qts) gets to the middle of two holes. You MAY be about 3/4 - 1qt overfilled. But still I would not sweat it.
 
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jawiv

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The dipstick is not that accurate you are fine. A little overfilled wont do anything and hope you were in flat ground and waited about 10-15 min. I think the coyote is fine up to 1 qt overfilled if I am not mistaken, when I fill it up after oil change (10 qts) gets to the middle of two holes. You MAY be about 3/4 - 1qt overfilled. But still I would not sweat it.
Thanks. That’s what I’m thinking as well. Actually checked this morning when cold and the level looked good. After some hard driving in the mountains it looked high again. Maybe after harder cornering the oil can have a capillary effect up the dipstick tube and give a false reading?
 

ORRadtech

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Or maybe, like fluids do, the oil just expands a little when it gets hot?
If you're good cold, you're fine hot.
 

Unbridled5.0

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I have ocd. You probably don't want to ask me.
 

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JetGray_Mach1

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Thanks. That’s what I’m thinking as well. Actually checked this morning when cold and the level looked good. After some hard driving in the mountains it looked high again. Maybe after harder cornering the oil can have a capillary effect up the dipstick tube and give a false reading?
I think you just need to let it sit longer like sk47 mentions. But testing when it’s sitting and cold does give the best reading.
 

KeyLime

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The book value for motor oil thermal expansion is about 5% from room temperature to 200°F. That's a difference of 1/2 quart. It would be an interesting experiment to see if this would show up on a dipstick.
 

Cobra Jet

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IIRC per the owners manual, the oil fill should really be between the 2 open circles in the metal - not up to the top circle (and definitely not beyond it).

Oil should be checked at sitting temp. If you’re checking right after an oil change/fill or after car was running - there is residual in the oil fill tube which gets onto the stick…. So let the car sit for a good 15-20 mins before checking oil after out driving or if it was idling after an oil change.
 

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Hello; That is the way I check oil level also. When cold and on a level place. If you have to check when hot try to let it sit a while.
That's correct. Most fluid levels are checked cold which is why back in the day when auto transmissions had dipsticks they often had a cold level and hot level markings as well as your coolant reservoir also shows a "cold fill" line.
 

HKusp

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I would do as others suggested and wait until the oil is cool and you are on a level surface. That being said, too much oil can cause an issue if it's too full with it making contact with the counter weights of the crank and becoming aerated. Aerated oil is no bueno. I'm not sure how much too full it would take on these engines, but I would look for foam bubbles on the dipstick right after driving it. I wouldn't be looking at the oil level at that point, just for evidence of aeration.
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