too much oil?

[nellotare]

Hello Gang,

I have to admit that I'm a little miffed right now, but maybe y'all can calm me down. I just had my oil changed at Firestone.. mainly because it's next door to where I'm staying. Friendly people etc. I bought the Mobil 1, had the Hengst filter.. but today when I checked the dipstick, the level is way up there.. If you were to measure the distance between the "low" and "high" operating range.. then add that distance to the top mark of the operating range on up the stick.. well, that's how much oil they put in. Aside from the fact that I am upset at the waste of oil (I'd like to have some left in container in the trunk), and the fact that I now don't trust these people about anything else (did they install filter properly?) What are the consequences of having such a large amount of oil in my car. I have to admit that I was talking to the manager inside about buyuing some tires instead of looking through the window to watch the guy.. so that's my fault. I briefly searched the archives and found nothing about overfilling oil.. maybe y'all can help

[adamb]

There is a high mark for a reason on a dipstick, and that generally is to prevent people from overfilling which can potentially cause the crank to slap the top of the iol in the pan, causing foaming and froathing of the oil. It isn't as much of an issue in the diesel motor that we have, especially because of the sump at the bottom, but it is a severe issue for many 4 cyl cars that are high rev motors. i would personally say that if it is over 1/2 high, then i woulddrain some through the oil cooler line. Thanks so much, Adam Bush

[engatwork]

It will make the rear main seal leak on a E320 - in-line 6 cylinder.

[nellotare]

Thanks for all the responses! I might try the pump first.. there's an AutoZone nearby.. or even take it back to Firestone to drain some off and let them know I'm disappointed (Of course they only charged me $7 and change)Again, thanks for the quck responses.

[nellotare]

TX Bill,

I have been thinking (at least a little this time) about it and I agree with you. The people were very friendly and sincere in the front of the shop and so I'll go back and politely mention to them the problem and solution. It might even help them to know something about the technician that did it. Many Thanks

[sixto]

How much oil did you give them? If it's that full, maybe they didn't do a thorough job of draining the old oil.

Sixto
91 300SE
86 300SDL (due soon)
81 300SD (for sale cheap)

[nellotare]

sixto,

That is one thing I plan to mention to them! When I got in the car and left there was no container in the front seat. I gave them 2- 5 qt. containers. The last time when a friend at a service station did if for me, I gave him 3- 4 qt. containers.. he stopped.. measured.. added.. measured and I got oil back that was left in one of the large plastic jugs. I will mention that perhaps they didn't drain all the oil or didn't give me back what was left etc. thanks for your comment

[leathermang]

The rest of the idea that Adamb was saying is that the foaming and frothing mixes oxygen into the oil and greatly reduces its effective usefullness... It is like heating transmission oil.... after a certain temp any additional rise in temp of like 10 degrees HALVES the length of life... so if you foam it a lot for 500 miles it might need to be changed right then... and you not realize it...Greg

[longston]

First, my local Firestone dealer will not, under any circumstances use the customer's oil or filter on any car, and they won't change oil on diesels either.

Next, my 300SD uses 7.5 qts of oil for an oil and filter change. I am not sure about your 300D, but if it's the same, that would mean that there is 2.5 qts too many in your crankcase. BTW, it's my understanding that unless you disconnect the bottom hose on the oil cooler when you drain the oil, you usually still have about a half of a quart of oil remaining in one of these diesels.

I had Firestone change my oil on my Aerostar once because the filter is located sideways right above the starter motor, so it's always been a messy job. The trick, as I told them, is to jack up the left side of the car for a couple of minutes before you raise it up on the lift. That allows the oil in the filter to drain out. Well, they still got oil all over the starter, and lost my oil cap. Maybe I'll try WalMart next time...

and find out how often someone with a classic 900 who goes to a jiffy-lube type place finds that the crew has drained the transmission dry, changed the engine oil filter, and then added 5 qts. to the engine without checking the level in either of the two adjacent sumps. Usually the customer gets a few miles down the road before the transmission siezes up or the engine has foam pouring out of its vents and seals unto the hot exhaust.

[nellotare]

I walked past the Firestone place on a Sunday.. they were open.. asked about their changing oil with my oil and filter. The guy said they don't do it, but handed me a card and said to come back and ask the manager when he was there. A couple of days later I did just that and the manager immediately said "yes' and quoted $9.99. (he eventually charged me $7.67 incl. tax) As I said, he was very nice and it seemed that I could trust them. On the South side of town, my 70 year old sister uses a Firestone place for everything regarding her car. I was skeptical and went with her once and found out they were taking good care of her.. not fixing things that didn't need fixing etc. I still think these people are nice and that is why I will politely go and firmly tell them about my concerns. Again, thanks to all that have given me ideas. I still say I was a little on the stupid side for not "watching" more closely and being there to say "something" if I had seen something I didn't like, but whats done is done and now I'll just have to correct it I hate it when I know better.. and then don't do it.. se la vie say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell...

[sixto]

Originally posted by nellotare
se la vie say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell...

Chuck Berry fan?

Sixto
91 300SE
86 300SDL (due soon)
81 300SD (for sale cheap)

[nellotare]

Emmylou Harris had a good version also.. I believe on the "Luxury Liner" album

Now let's go to the other end of the dipstick. I'am NOT interested in trying this, but how far below ADD can you safely go?

[nellotare]

well, we might find out how far below "add" you can safely go.. took my car into Firestone after work today and here's what happened.

I talked to a guy behind the counter that I hadn't dealt with before.. told him the problem.. he looked it up on computer.. talked to one of his techs.. told me to pull the car around.. the tech couldn't find the dipstick.. eventually did and proceeded to get a pan and drain the oil.. he used several wrenches/socket/whatever.. so I knew he was not sure what he was doing.. later he called for "help".. he had dropped the plug into the hot oil.. the man from behind the counter came out and said "that container is not going to hold all the oil, why didn't you do this in the air?".. I verbally agreed.. so, while the tech held his finger over the drain, the guy from behind the counter proceeded to "fish" for the plug, until the oil parched his hand, so he went to dump the oil, got the plug, the tech put it in and he had let too much oil out! I had one quart in my trunk and they don't carry Mobile 1 Synthetic.. they tried to order some, couldn't get it today.. added my quart which leaves me a little on the low side. I am to go back tomorrow and either bring some oil with me (which they will reimburse me) or they will order oil to be delivered tomorrow.

will nello get the oil he needs? will his car ever speak to him again? will Firestone ever be trusted again? will Emmylou sing "Boulder to Birmingham" (please, for me.. my favorite) For answers to these and more questions tune in tommorrow for Chapter 6 of "Silver Star Rangers vs. The Not So Knowledgeable Empire"