Slight Oil Overfill Advice

[HEP#15]

I had the oil changed on Friday and when I checked it this morning (sitting overnight in a cold garage) the level was slightly above the top dot. Do I take it back on Monday and have a half quart (or less) drained out or do I leave it as is. I know it's not good to overfill an engine but will a slight overfill cause damage and should I be concerned enough to take it back? I have been very conservative with break in procedures, engine heat up before driving, checking the oil levels, etc. so I have no issues taking it back if that's what I should do. I'll post a picture of the dipstick reading. TIA.

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[CANTWN4LSN]

1) Dipstick not completely accurate as to how much oil is in crankcase, just a close approximation. More important as a benchmark for you.
2) Think you are fine.
3) Manual says to check level after bringing up to temp, waiting 15 minutes then checking. While a lot of people apparently check cold, level might be just a little higher after an overnight drain. Might be interesting for you to run it up to temp and check as the manual says.

 

[Jaymar]

You're fine. The dipstick isn't that accurate and a slight overfill won't hurt anything. Besides, it's a Mustang so drive it around the block and it'll burn that off. The actual level of the oil is 1:1 with the level on the dipstick so if it is overfilled, you are only talking about a few millimeters.

 

[galaxy]

The markings on the dipstick do not indicate full. They are reference points only. Full = 10 quarts. Wherever 10 quarts shows up at on your stick is your full. Do you know for certain they put 10 quarts in it? If so, then just remember that spot.

 

[HEP#15]

The markings on the dipstick do not indicate full. They are reference points only. Full = 10 quarts. Wherever 10 quarts shows up at on your stick is your full. Do you know for certain they put 10 quarts in it? If so, then just remember that spot.

Thx. I have a local one person shop that has changed it 3 times before this one. I supply 10 quarts of oil and the FL2087 filter and they do the labor. In the past it's been right at the top dot so its higher this time - my guess is that they didn't let all the old oil drain out before putting the new oil in.

 

[Tomster]

What galaxy said. If that was 10qts, then you are fine. If it bothers you that much, then jack the car, pull the drain plug partially, and let a small amount seep out.

I'd leave it alone.

 

[sk47]

Hello; three things. First an overfill can be a serious problem. The issue is the oil getting whipped by the rotating mass, mainly the crankshaft. Whipped oil has air mixed in.

Second is most engines do not drain every drop of old oil during an oil change. Some will be trapped in small pockets. Also some depends on how long the drain plug was out allowing the oil to drain. It can take a while. Most shops do not let a car sit and drain very long.
My way to deal has been to not add that last half quart or so of new oil when adding the new oil. I run the engine to check for leaks then drive to where i park. I check the oil level after a vehicle has sat overnight. If low, I sneak up on the full level by adding a little oil at a time.
Note- if the car is not on a level surface that can throw off the dipstick. If the normal place where you park is not level you may need to check the dipstick at a level parking lot. Once you know the dipstick is at the proper full mark on a level surface, then you can check when parked at your normal spot. Note the difference and let that be your reference point from then on.

Third is I like the suggestion to check when warm after a few minutes. If that check is good you are OK as is.

Odds are you are not too overfull. When running some oil is always in the upper part of the engine. The picture of your dipstick does not show a lot overfull.

Good luck.

 

[gmuffley]

Not to worry.

 

[honeybadger]

Couple things to keep in mind with the Voodoo/Coyote,

1. You have a good windage tray, that will keep oil from hitting the rotating assembly. It would take an overfill by a few quarts to cause an issue

2. The Coyote architecture, more specifically the heads, leave a lot of areas for oil to "accumulate." This means you can overfill by a quart or so and still not actually have 10qts in the pan. This is why the manual says to wait 15 mins AFTER running the motor.

3. The 10qt number is for AFTER the engine has been filled the first time--in other words, it's the "refill" amount (or oil change amount), not the total capacity. Total capacity is more like 11.5 if you're starting completely fresh (with the stock oil pan).

 

[DougS550]

I had the oil changed on Friday and when I checked it this morning (sitting overnight in a cold garage) the level was slightly above the top dot. Do I take it back on Monday and have a half quart (or less) drained out or do I leave it as is. I know it's not good to overfill an engine but will a slight overfill cause damage and should I be concerned enough to take it back? I have been very conservative with break in procedures, engine heat up before driving, checking the oil levels, etc. so I have no issues taking it back if that's what I should do. I'll post a picture of the dipstick reading. TIA.

Just vacuum out enough oil to get it between the lines. Oil over fill can be as bad as low oil. I would suggest ASAP. GOOD Luck

 

[460Fred]

If that was my dipstick, it would be about 12 quarts.
When I change my oil, I let it drain for quite a while as I’m doing something else, sometimes as much as an hour. When I put the drain plug in oil is still dripping out.
Very doubtful anyone you are paying to do the change will wait and let all the oil drain, whatever that means.

 

[sk47]

Just vacuum out enough oil to get it between the lines. Oil over fill can be as bad as low oil. I would suggest ASAP. GOOD Luck

Hello; Several years ago I bought a small pump. It runs on 12 volts. It has a suction hose small enough to slide down in the automatic transmission fill tube of my pickup. When i do an oil change I vacuum/pump out about two and a half quarts of auto trans fluid and replace with fresh.
That same small pump could be used to pull some oil out of an engine if ever needed.

I do agree an overfill of enough oil can be very damaging. It is good to know the Coyote has a windage tray in the oil pan. Such a tray helps prevent the oil foaming which does the damage.

 

[Jaymar]

It's your car so if you're still worried about it go back to the place that did the oil change instead of listening to some keyboard professionals. For some perspective though, the difference between the two holes on the dipstick is a quart. We're talking a minuscule amount of oil here. And while a windage tray won't actually stop the effects of an overfill the difference in oil level with respect to the crank that you are looking at with those extra millimeters of oil is easily within the level changes you'd see on a hill or during normal driving forces.

 

[DougS550]

It's your car so if you're still worried about it go back to the place that did the oil change instead of listening to some keyboard professionals. For some perspective though, the difference between the two holes on the dipstick is a quart. We're talking a minuscule amount of oil here. And while a windage tray won't actually stop the effects of an overfill the difference in oil level with respect to the crank that you are looking at with those extra millimeters of oil is easily within the level changes you'd see on a hill or during normal driving forces.

Yep, listen to Jay, He always knows, in his Own mind of course. This site is a useful site people come for help or give help or advice. At the end of the day, the owner makes his/her decision based on collective data, suggestions ETC. Good Luck

 

[460Fred]

Pretty interesting how are cars were all built to the same specifications, using the same parts will vary so much.

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