Overfilled oil

[Guest]

Hi all,

I bought my '03 Expedition two weeks ago -- early this week I checked the oil dipstick just to see where the level fell, and found that it looked WAY overfilled!

So, took it back to the dealership and asked them to check it, and they verified that it was overfilled by 1/2 quart -- at least, that's what it took to get down to the MAX line (which I've heard is misleading in the first place).

So -- the tech told me he wasn't concerned, and I haven't seen it blowing any smoke... however, have any of you had this experience? And if so, did you have any engine damage (and is there any way to know that things have been stressed/damaged?)?

Thanks!
John

 

[PaulC]

1/2 a quart in a sump designed to hold +/- 6 quarts should not make a profound difference. Dramatically overfilling the oil sump would cause the engine oil to come into contact with the moving crankshaft, which would whip air into the oil and create a poorly-lubricating froth. I think you would have noticed evidence of this if it happened, such as a noisy valvetrain. It would mimic signs of low oil pressure.

Everything should be fine.

If you're feeling a bit **** (and why not considering the MSRP of these babies), you should have ALL fluid levels checked, including the differentials and transfer case.