Oil Overfill Symptoms

[rick3000]

I just got back from an oil change and my electronic reader is all the way up, and the dipstick appears to have oil to the top of the red plastic. The car was built in 1/99, so I don't think it was ever calibrated for the latest Porsche TSB in 2/99 that recommended more oil.

I am not getting any smoke on startup, which seems to be a symptom of overfilling. I am not sure if it is overfilled or by how much. Should I be concerned, or does the lack of smoke mean I don't need to worry?

Thanks!

[JFP in PA]

These cars should not be overfilled, do so can lead to problems ranging from smoking, to seal leaks, and AOS failure. As you just had your oil changed, let the car sit for at least and hour or two, then switch the key (don't start the car) and check the oil level. If all the bars are lit, you need to drain some oil out of the car.

[rp17]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

These cars should not be overfilled, do so can lead to problems ranging from smoking, to seal leaks, and AOS failure.

JFP, what seal leaks are affected by this? Had a o ring replaced on my AOS sometime ago, and wondering now if this was because it was overfilled.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by rp17

JFP, what seal leaks are affected by this? Had a o ring replaced on my AOS sometime ago, and wondering now if this was because it was overfilled.

For one, the RMS is much more prone to leak on a an overfilled engine, as is the front crank seal; and the AOS can actually "overload" (it is not designed to work in liquid oil, only oil vapor) and suck liquid oil into the intake, which can lead to a hydro lock.

[rick3000]

I am going to take care of this ASAP, and drive it very careful and as little as possible until that time, it's my DD so there's no avoiding it. Thanks JFP for the information!

This is the final nail in the coffin of taking my Boxter to a mechanic for regular maintenance. It's probably cheaper to buy the tools to do the oil change, and other regular maintenance myself than pay to fix it when the mechanics mess up.

[rp17]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

For one, the RMS is much more prone to leak on a an overfilled engine, as is the front crank seal; and the AOS can actually "overload" (it is not designed to work in liquid oil, only oil vapor) and suck liquid oil into the intake, which can lead to a hydro lock.

Appreciate JFP.

[Jamesp]

To get about a quart out you can just unscrew the oil filter, dump the oil from the filter, and screw it back on. You'll need a pan under it or you'll have a mess. Then top back up as necessary a little at a time.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by rick3000

I am going to take care of this ASAP, and drive it very careful and as little as possible until that time, it's my DD so there's no avoiding it. Thanks JFP for the information!

This is the final nail in the coffin of taking my Boxter to a mechanic for regular maintenance. It's probably cheaper to buy the tools to do the oil change, and other regular maintenance myself than pay to fix it when the mechanics mess up.

The oil change is pretty much a no-brainer. I have 2 ramps for the rear wheels, a large oil drain pan, and the special tool for removing the oil filter canister. That's all. It's a 15 minute job.

[DennisAN]

My local dealer overfilled my sump by about 1/2 quart. I had them suck the excess out using their dipstick sucker tool. I don't know how a dealer could overfill the car but perhaps they just pour in X amount based upon some table in their book. Personally I always stop at a quart low from the spec and add a little at a time.

Joe, the problem with ramps is that the car is tilted and you probably won't get all the old oil out.

[BoxsterSteve]

Originally Posted by DennisAN

Joe, the problem with ramps is that the car is tilted and you probably won't get all the old oil out.

Maybe Joe's set up like me... my driveway has just the right amount of slope that when the back of my car is on Rhino ramps it sits completely level.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by DennisAN

Joe, the problem with ramps is that the car is tilted and you probably won't get all the old oil out.

What BoxsterSteve said (he beat me to it).

Not enough room under there to get to everything without the ramps. I drive the front up onto an incline before I back onto the ramps, in order to keep it level. It gets enough old oil out, since I need to use 8 1/2 quarts to fill it after the old oil is drained. You can never get all the old oil out since some remains in nooks and crannies.

[DennisAN]

OK good, you are good to go. I have a mondo 7000 lb floor jack (purchased for my old Ford F-150) that's low enough to get under my Boxster or Miata and raises it up 22". So I always do my work high on jackstands.

Until I get around to putting in an LN bearing I'm going to pull the oil filter and cut it open every 500-600 miles. While I'm under there I can take off the plastic underwear and check things like the coolant hoses. The Assenmacher AST #M0219 is a good fit oil filter wrench and Amazon sells them for something like $17.

[embryoguy@mac.com]

Same here! Trying to decide if I should take it back.

[DreamSign]

I just bought a 1999 that was overfilled with approx 700 ml.

I used a fluid pump from harbor freight with the skinny tube cut at a 45 degree angle (gets past some barrier) shoved down the dipstick tube and pumped it out to the correct level.

The car had it's oil changed every 400 miles (crazy, but I'm not going to argue ;0)
The last oil change (different mechanic than previously) showed he added 9.2l when the capacity is I think 8.7, and I'm sure there was a little oil still in the car. At any rate, once I cut the 45 degree angle in the tiny tube I shoved down the oil dipstick, it worked pretty easily to remove any amount of oil I wanted. And- bonus- you don't have to get dirty to do it this way.

BAD things can happen with overfilled oil.

[alansdavid]

I had an pil change thry measured content by the dipstick.Claimed it to be full. The gauge shows it in the top bar. So it is likely overtfilled?

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

[JFP in PA]

Probably.....

[bbmidmi]

I cannot trust the oil level gauge in my 04 Boxster S (electronic gremlins). And I am not sure how/when to read the oil level on the stick. Is it to be read when cold (sitting level) or once the engine comes up to temp (i.e. a short drive etc.)? Any guidance would greatly be appreciated.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by bbmidmi

I cannot trust the oil level gauge in my 04 Boxster S (electronic gremlins). And I am not sure how/when to read the oil level on the stick. Is it to be read when cold (sitting level) or once the engine comes up to temp (i.e. a short drive etc.)? Any guidance would greatly be appreciated.

Check the oil cold , preferably after it has sat overnight . There is a lot of oil in the heads and it takes a while to drain back to the sump . Any time an oil change is done soon after the engine was up to temp you run the risk of over filling because not enough time is given to drain the oil . Just because it is dribbling out of the sump doesn't mean it's all out . Still oil in the heads . I let mine drain overnight . May be overkill but Jake Raby told me this and he knows a thing or two about these engines