I got my car back from the shop last Thursday. Since they had it for almost 7 months, they did me a "favor" and had it serviced at the local Chrysler dealer before I picked it up. I've been driving all over the place, and today, I get this "beep" sound and an oil can icon with a "HI" flashing in the display. I get home and check my oil, only to find it's about a half inch over the red plastic indicator up on the cable section of the dip stick. I pumped out just under two quarts of oil to get it down to the "MAX" mark.

Well...this can't be good! I've driven close to 500 miles this way!! The car seems to be running perfectly, but I'm worried about damage. Anyone have any ideas what I should check on or take a look at? Any input would be appreciated.

 

Hattrick78, I believe the biggest problem that occurs when an engine is over filled is "Foaming" of the oil. Caused by the crank shaft coming in contact with the oil and splashing it around in the crank case. I'm not familiar with the inside of our motors, but I would presume since our cars were designed with a "sporting nature" in mind, that it probably has baffles in the oil pan to help prevent the oil from sloshing around during spirited driving. This would help prevent much, if any oil coming in contact with the crank. Plus the oil pick-up should be deep enough in the pan to help prevent any "foam" from actually being sucked into the oiling system.

28 years ago my best friend and I took a cross country trip in his 1975 280Z that he purchased brand new. Since we were taking his car, the least I could do was to change his oil for him before we left. Upon doing so, I retrieved 8 1/2 qts. from his oil pan (where there should have been 5). It seems that at his last oil change someone over filled it, and he had been driving around for over 3,000 miles with it that way.
Well, we made our trip with out any problems, and with about 76,000 miles on it, he still owns it to this day. I hope that helps to ease some of your concern.
But to be on the safe side, since it registered on your dash board read out that it was hi, that means it would show up on your dealers scopes if you should ever have any problems, so you should get it documented. That way your dealer would know it wasn't your fault, but another Chrysler dealers mistake.

 

+fireamx - thanks for your input. I do feel better about it. I will definitely take your advice and get it checked at the dealer. I'm getting to a point where I dread going to the dealer. It's never good news and they mess things up more than fix them. Thanks again.

 

I want to know why it took 500 miles for the oil over full to show up. This is not good.

 

Good point. Seems like it should have given the warning immediately. Another thing for the dealer to check out.

 

Chock another one up for the "professional" service from Chrysler dealers.

Among other things harmed by oil overfill is the possibility, due to high oil pressure, of the oil being forced past the piston rings into the combustion chamber. You would have noticed it, the car would start coughing and spewing smoke. Kinda like me on a bad day...

 

Oh yes...some of my favorite things...Bigfoot, Jumbo Shrimp, Easter Bunny, and Professional Chrysler Dealers!!

I don't think I got the oil in the cylinders since the car seems to be running great. No smoke...but wait...what's that coming from my ears?

 

fireamx... great story.. get pictures of the Z classic...

wow... i think i am going to call my dealer and let them know i will be installing my own fan module this weekend and they are not allowed to touch the car.

 

Does anyone know where the oil level sensor is? In MB truck engines (diesel) there are two, I wonder if that is the case here. I will do some checking and also ask about sensor problems. The system should respond instantly. I will not bother with my "professional" Chrysler 5 Star dealer who changed the design of my engine cover the last time I was there, I will ask a service rep for DC I know.

 

"Changed the design of your engine cover"....Yikes!! Well, I can't get my car in the dealer this week because their "Crossfire guy" is on vacation. Imagine that...they actually have a Crossfire guy. Of coarse they were willing to take my car anyway, until I told them that I would be waiting while they checked it out.

 

Sorry, by changed the design I was being nice, they gouged the crap out of my cover when they did the fan module recall.
As to the sensor I am still waiting on a call back from my friend but I have found out there is only one sensor, part#

5101121AA , SENSOR, Oil Level

 

The owners manual specifically states to NOT go over the max point, and it could cause damage. Check the manual as I forge the actual page it is on. It may not have done any noticeable damage right away, but over time, it may have gunked up something that will slowly cause issues later. Better to have it checked/repaired while still under warranty that after warranty is up. Ever since a Subaru dealer overfilled my Subie 9 years, ago, after every oil change, I always double check it... before I drive more than 5 miles. Better safe than sorry...

 

I'm definitely aware of the warnings in the manual. Hence this thread in the first place. I've found another Chrysler dealer that will check the car out on Friday, so I'm going with that. I don't really think it makes much difference which dealer, since I really don't have a lot of confidence and any of them. I've got a feeling they're just going to check for computer codes and tell me everything is fine. At least I'll have a record of having it checked in case something comes of this in the future.