I just did an oil change at the local Chrysler dealer when I purchased mine last year. I am noticing now that the dipstick says that the oil is past the "max" mark and the warning on top of the oil compartment cap says that to prevent engine damage, do not overfill the oil. What should I make of this situation? Please share your thoughts. Thanks.

 

8 1/2 quarts slightly overfills our cars if your lazy service tech. sumps out the oil rather than pull the plug. I have a topsider sump from NAPA to pull out just enough oil for correct stick readings when I get stuck with the lazy tech.. It's a really bad happening when there's way to much oil and it makes contact with the bottom of your rotating crankshaft. Aerate's your oil. Squirrel Crusher

 

I didn't know techs also use that method -- I thought and I assumed (wrong, I guess) that they would drop the bottom and let the oil fall (like the old days), along with all the (possibly) stuff that might have been in the engine since this is the first oil change for this vehicle. The chump charged me $129 + tax, etc.

 

Drain out what is needed to get that oil level down to the full mark.

 

I hate it when they do that. I had the same experience after a dealer oil change. It was well above the max mark. I used clear tygon tubing down the dipstick tube and siphoned out (gravity/long tube into a bottle) about a quart of oil to get it down to the "max" mark. It was a slow siphon procedure but I was in no hurry. Going by the book on oil changes, doesn't work apparently. They need to add all but the last two quarts, take a measurement and add as required. I thought they did this, but obviously not all techs do. Unlike new BMWs, at least we DO have a dip stick! It should be used during oil changes, not just between them. Live and learn (the hard way!) DIY is the way to go next time! I will.

 

Wow, way too much money to be paying for a simple oil change. That is why I enjoy changing it myself and I only put in 8 quarts all the time. Besides, the oil filter is so easily accessible!

 

Even though I bring only 8 (not 8.5) quarts of oil & filter & pay (& watch) someone else to change it.....the next day after sitting overnight.....when I check the dipstick....it reads slightly above the max mark????? Even though I know only 8.0 quarts were put in...

 

It's the same with me, I only put in 8 qts and it is still slightly above full mark on the stick , but when I check it using the dash, it's says Full.

Mark

 

It's been a while since I did the "drain" procedure outlined in earlier post on this thread, but I just remembered a tip for anyone using the tubing and gravity feed drain method. (remember you have to prime/suck the flow like you did when you siphoned gasoline back in the day with tubing end and the reservoir on the ground/floor level). I matched the insertion depth of the tubing to equal the MAX mark position/lenght on the dipstick, so theoretically you could leave the draining unattended into the bottle (very slow in my case), come back and it should stop draining when it reached the MAX level. Better use a big reservoir if you do that just in case it drains more than necessary and overflows a 1 QT container. This was like a 15 minute drain time in my case with the size tubing I used. Good luck. Get that extra oil outta there! Don't assume dealers do it right and check when they finish. Some obviously don't. I wonder how many are driving around with way too much oil in their cars. We probably do NOT get a warning of too much oil from the electronic sensors, do we?

 

I'd be willing to bet the dealers who don't drain it from the plug simply suck out what they can, in other words their oil change sucks. I've done the last two myself, I drain it from the plug and it takes all of 1/2 hr. I have always put in 8 and 1/2 qts. The two times the dealer did it, both times the hi oil prompt came on after leaving the dealership, both times oil had to be drained off. The first oil change cost me around 120$, a year later the second was 160$, its a lot cheaper to DIY. Unfortunately the dealer oil techs I've dealt with just don't seem to care.

 

You are right on, grease monkeys don't give a cr@p, took my car in it was just cleaned and polished. When I saw it again it had greasy hand prints on the fender and door. I swear they do it on purpose, I did not bother to complain as they would just wipe it with a dirty old rag and put scratches back on the paint.
Two more oil changes under the extended warranty and I start doing it myself.
I saw it going up on the hoist so at least he drained the oil rather than pumping it out.

 

It is so cool to get all this validation and support from so many of you. I could go into what else happened at the dealer but that would take all day...

So, VALKRYDERGUY, I guess there is no other less messy way than to just unplugg carefully and let it slowly pour into a marked container, right?

Oh, dang it. I'll tell you what happened. I call in last Friday to Bellevue Chrysler (in Washington State) to schedule an oil change and have them take a look at my engine because I've been having strong oil burning smell coming from it for a few months. Thanks to you all, I know that that is a common issue with XFs. The guy on the phone says I can bring it in and they'll have someone look at the engine for oil discharge when they do the oil change. I take it on Saturday morning and tell the guy the conversation I had with the rep the previous day and tell him what I need done. 2 hrs later, he comes over and tell me that the oil change is complete but they did NOT find any evidence of oil leak anywhere.

At this point, I'm standing there incredulous. I tell him that I'm repeating what I told him before -- that I've been smelling "very strong" oil burning smell on at least 2 dozen occasions over the last several months, adding that there is no way that they won't be any oil residue on the engine. He sticks to his story and says it may have been some oil residue from manufacturing. I repeat the story -- and comes close to calling him an idiot but keep myself cool and composed. I then give him a "warning" disguised as my "plan" -- that I'm going to go home and take a look under the engine cover (not knowing at this point how easy it is to take that off or even see the oil on the engine) with my "untrained eyes." If I find oil residue there, I tell him that I'll be taking some serious action. The whole point of brining my XF this time was to do two things at the same time so I don't waste time making any more trips here than necessary. Now, he's suggesting that I be some defenseless old lady and just eat it all up. He sees that I'm serious and I'm nowhere near getting out of there.

At that point, he suggests we go out to my car and take a look. He take off the engine cover and, there it is -- the whole top of the driver's side engine is covered in oil. At this point, I'm getting an urge to go find the guy who supposedly looked at it and drag him to the Octogon. There is no Octogon nearby. Oh, well. The guy with me -- a customer service guy -- puts his finger to the oil and nods him head confirming that there is oil. But he tries to stick to his trained response -- "oh, well, actually the guy was not a certified technician." I tell him in the shortest possible sentence that it does not take a "certified technician" to see oil residue on this brand new engine. I say that whoever looked at it was either blind or was extremely irresponsible.

He brings over another customer service person and I had to explain the whole darn thing to him, patience running out. The guy tests me by suggesting like the other guy that may be the oil leak was from a minor spill during manufacturing. I put him in his spot telling him by repeating the fact that this intense oil burning smell has occurred more than 2 dozen times in the past several months. Do these guys any logical mechanisms in their minds? I really wonder. Brain damage from too much drug abuse in the past? I don't know. The guys suggests that I bring it again for their technician to take a look at it. I say no I'm not making that extra trip. Finally, the guy says he'll go ahead and order the gasket first thing Monday and I can bring my XF in once the gasket arrives...

I don't know what's going on with people. I really don't. Mediocrity and irresponsibility has become a national pasttime? We're in trouble.

 

As the old guy in the corner, a little extra oil is not a big deal. I add 1/2 Qt. or so to everything I run, helps in hard corners when the oil is on the side of the engine block.

Extra oil can whip up if it is way full and foam some that is not a little above the full mark though, like over a quart. It can reduce the available horse power a tiny bit but it sure is not going to cause harm, not 1/2 qt. Not to worry.

I understand the syphon oil method to drain oil, that causes me more distress as the heavy deposits and gunk at the bottom like water vapor and such never really get out.

I drain from the plug, use a magnetic plug and go on to another task till it all drains out, like 15 minutes. Less stuff to contaminate the new oil thats going in for 3000 to 7000 miles depending on your taste and preference. Me I have made a life change and now go 5000 on all of my engines after studying several consumer report studies.

Enjoy, Woody

 

Changing the oil and filter on this car couldn't be easier. If your that concerned I suggest you do it. Even have how to photo's on this forum. Look um up. Otherwise tell the dipstick to check the dipstick the next time he changes your oil.

 

See this thread on Valve Cover Leak. If this is the area your leak is in, he dosent need to order a gasket. It is just RTV gasket. And you car SHOULD sit until it is cured. 12 - 24 hours. This is a common issue with our cars.

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...over-leak.html

 

I will next time. Since it is the first time, I wanted to have it done by draining from the bottom (I don't have a ramp and it's too much hassle for me). From this point, I'm getting the pump everyone here seems to use.

 

The last time I messed with a car was 15 yrs ago when I replaced the transmission oil (and gasket). I had to get the transmission fixed.

But your diy pictures are terrific.

 

I just meant that your shop should not need a gasket to fix this for you. Just the RTV stuff.

 

It is still easier draining from the bottom. The oil filter can be unscrewed and replaced from the top in a matter of minutes. good luck. ramps are cheaper.

 

You guys using the dealer should make sure the dealer is putting in the right amount of oil. For my first oil change they put in 10 qt and when I called them on it, they told me that's what the dealer manual said.