I changed my oil for the first time last night since I've owned the 300TD. I put a little too much oil in. I thought I had it right last night but when I got to work and checked it, it is a little above the top notch. I know too much is bad. Is it safe to drive back home or should I take some precautionary measures?

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"Gerwalt" 1984 - 300TD

A slight excess is inconsequential.

Is ~.25in above the top "V" in that range?

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"Gerwalt" 1984 - 300TD

Turbo motors are more of a problem than N/A motors.
1/4" above the top notch probably would be right on the top notch if the car was facing the other direction?
I agree with tango !
Will be a little longer till you need to top up. let it get down to about half way between the notches before you think about topping up. If the motor has bad blowby, best to run it in the lower half of the range.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

This is another good reason to have one of the following:

a.) Topsider oil vac
b.) Fumoto Valve

in this case, you should be fine. You'll probably burn that little bit off pretty quick...

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

If you are letting it sit for a few hours before checking the fill level you are quite likely getting a false high reading. System is enginered to be checked within minutes after shutting down, such as when fueling up, etc.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I'll probably get shot down for this, put I was in the same situation as you and I just let it cool down all the way (so the oil is thicker) and unscrewed the drain plug while keeping my finger on it and then lifted it out only a little bit once is was unscrewed. No mess; it might leak a little from the plug afterwards because the crush washer can't be replaced, but mine isn't leaking. I also drove for quite a while with it above the top mark expecting it to go down, which it didn't, but it didn't seem to have any sort of adverse effect either.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

The ideal oil level is half way between the notches. Oil shouldn't be added until the level reaches the bottom, or ADD mark.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.