Oil low on dipstick, possibly due to incorrectly performe oil change -- damage done?
 

Upon arriving home after my last oil change (about 5 months/5000 miles ago), I noticed that the dealership had overfilled the oil (a couple inches above the add line). I drove back and requested that they drain the oil and re-add to the correct level. They overfilled it yet again, and then corrected it once more. Afterwards, the oil was 3/4 to the add line when measured.

Last week I checked my oil for the first time in 2 months (I know, I should have checked it sooner) and I was surprised to see the oil was showing at the lowest tip of the dipstick (the coiled part). On the other side of the dip stick, the oil was streaking above the add line, but I was told that this measurement is unreliable.

Upon realizing this, I took my car to a different dealership than last time and they seemed to think that the oil change was performed incorrectly, which doesn't make sense to me given that the oil level registered fine after my last visit. IMO I believe the car might be burning oil at an excessive rate. Anyway, the technician added either half a quart or a quart (I can't recall) and sent me on my way.

My question is, given that the oil pressure light hadn't been tripped, and there was still a small amount of oil at the very bottom of the dip stick (the coiled tip), do you guys think any permanent damage was done to my engine? I am getting my next oil change in a few days and was wondering if there's anything I should tell the technician to look for (metal shavings/residue in the oil they drain, the amount of quarts they were able to drain, etc.). Thanks for your help.

I think you're okay. You caught the major issues (overfill) early it sounds like. I really think youll be fine, but this is one reason why I try to do every single oil change myself. If that isn't possible for whatever reason, I'd try to avoid the oil change places that are the drive through type at least, they go way too goddamn fast.

Just keep an eye on things.

I reckon your car's engine has survived the fluctuations .....http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...ages/smile.gif

I always check the oil level after an oil change ...... before I leave the dealership.... ;)


humfrz

There no switch that trips if you run low on oil or run low oil pressure. You might want to read up on engine oil pressure. Tons of info with a web search. Will help you better understand your car. :)

The owners manual indicates that there is an instrument cluster light that pops up when the engine oil pressure is low, is this not the case? I know that there isn't a sensor for low dipstick level though.

hmmmmm........there is in my manual ...... (looks like an old fashioned oil can that is dripping) ...... ;)


humfrz

What you read is accurate, however, by the time the light comes on ..... your engine may be within seconds of screwing itself ..... :eyebulge:


humfrz

That light triggers below 2psi which is enough for essentially nothing, all it is is a pressure switch. So yes when it comes on you have a real problem :p.

Just trying to get the op to read up about oil pressure sending unit function. It's-- like-- one-- really-- useful-- thing to know!!! If your light goes on while driving you are usually screwed.

But it simply measures oil pressure at the moment. It's not a switch that trips and keeps a record for you.

By the way- do you know why you have an oil pressure indicator light? It's not for keeping track of your oil level- or lack of...

And no- you shouldn't have any problems from running oil a little low.

Don't play the victim... this isn't from your oil being changed improperly, it is from the engine burning oil.

Whether the rate of oil burn is normal or not has yet to be seen (you can only know once you've drained it completely and/or have a log of how much oil you are adding to the engine), but it is not something from an improper oil change.

-alex

Oil low on dipstick, possibly due to incorrectly performe oil change -- damag...
 

If you read further down in my original post I said that I personally thought I was burning oil excessively, and merely that the dealer I took it to said that the oil change might have been performed improperly, which I also stated didn't make sense.


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I read that, but the entire post is misleading to say the least, starting with the title...

I guess I should requote your post with the title instead, because the title suggests that the oil change (which isn't improper) is the cause of the engine damage.

-alex