Community Forums

Dwd40 · 07-19-2019, 09:15 PM

After a recent oil change, I discovered that the service tech had overfilled my engine by 3 gallons. I had driven over 1,000 miles when I noticed the over fill. I called the service center where the oil change was done, and upon checking, they realized they had put in 10 gallons which they normally put in the semis that they service. I had not noticed any difference in engine performance, and the engine was not leaking from any seals (yet). I drained 3 gallons, and continued my trip home of another 1,000 miles. No problems as yet, but what can I expect as a result of the overfill?

FatChance · 07-19-2019, 09:33 PM

Expect, at the very least, a full refund for their screw up.

Dutch Star Don · 07-19-2019, 09:34 PM

If no issues, you lucked out. I think you're still two quarts over. Most ISL's take 26 quarts, 6.5 gallons.

Barbaraok · 07-19-2019, 09:58 PM

She didn't throw out the excess?

Skip426 · 07-19-2019, 11:37 PM

I would hope that by draining the excess oil , you've avoided any long term issues.
Overfilling usually results in an overheating condition , due to the crankshaft throws , dipping into the oil and adding load to the engine ; also foaming the oil and splashing up the cylinder walls and exposing the rings to more oil that they're designed to handle, and getting into the combustion chamber burning with the diesel creating a rich ( hotter burning ) fuel mixture .
If you haven't noticed any smoke out the tail pipe , the oil rings probably have sustained no damage.
I would say change the oil soon , because the constant frothing from contact with the crankshaft may have degraded the oil , way sooner than usual.

Mr_D · 07-19-2019, 11:45 PM

Have an oil analysis done. I suspect that it will come back OK though. I think you'll be just fine now.

Cat320 · 07-20-2019, 08:33 AM

To avoid problems of this nature, I have a small mom and pop diesel shop do my oil changes. I can buy the oil for what they pay for oil, so I bring the oil and they put in only what I bring.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-20-2019, 08:59 AM

I would guess that it has already thrown out most, if not all, the excess. I know my 2004 ISL would have done so within the first several hundred miles.

757driver · 07-20-2019, 09:07 AM

A check of, and possibly a change of the coalescing filter would be in order as it may be plugged up.

Old-Biscuit · 07-20-2019, 09:18 AM

I once overfilled a motorcycle engine by 1 qt.
Upon starting it the engine hydro-shocked and bent a push rod

re-read post #5 (Skip426) !!!

schad · 07-20-2019, 09:32 AM

Make very, very sure that you haven't drained out too much oil. I've overfilled an old leaky gas engine before, and the excess oil quickly (within 100 miles or so) burned off. If I had then drained out the "excess," I would have left my engine with too little oil. But this was an old leaky engine, and gas instead of diesel, so I'm not sure if that applies here.

In your situation, what I would have done is get all of the existing oil out of the motor and then replace it with the correct amount of brand new oil. If the shop wanted to do the work themselves, fine; if not, they can buy me the oil and I'll do it.

Since the problem wasn't discovered until much, much later, both the fix and the original service should be free. If they had instead called you an hour after you left the shop, I'd let them off with only the fix being free.

Dwd40 · 07-20-2019, 02:06 PM

The service center who did the oil change readily accepts responsibility, and they have offered to replace my serpentine belt (which is due to be replaced) for no charge to make up for their mistake. My biggest concern is whether or not damage to the engine will show up at a later time. Other than the oil being very black after 1,000 miles, there is no sign of anything being wrong. When I drained the excess oil, I did it in increments until the oil was exactly on the full mark, so I'm sure that the right amount was removed. Thanks for all of the responses!

153stars · 07-20-2019, 09:18 PM

If the crank wasn't. Scooping up oil and throwing it all over may not have reached that high, its a big pan. Big oil change franchise put 10 qt. in my niece's Gran Prix .That killed it and they did pay to put a motor in .

doc · 07-21-2019, 08:44 AM

In the old days with some of the junk hot rods we built, an overfill could result in splashing and causing the oil to foam. The mechanical oil pump would not pick up the foam. Usually those old engines were so loose and worn the splash would keep it lubed. It didn't take long for the engine to burn or leak the extra oil however. When you are a teenager you can do anything and will live forever. Now? Not so much