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DonGarlin · 08-26-2021, 09:36 AM

Greeting - Dump question, thinking I know the answer, just balancing off my fellow camper friends.

I have a Class C, Super C, 2005 Chateau Kodiak C5500, 8.1 L Engine and when changing oil owners manual calls for 10 Qt of SAE 5-30 oil. I had the oil
change a few days ago and when I checked the dip stick it has above 1/2 qt above the full mark on the dip stick. I called the place that changed the oil and the response from Service Tech, was NOT A Problem, "when we change oil in a motorhome we always add above the full mark, that way when driving up a mountain you have extra oil pressure", I have never heard of that! I pulled out my user manual is states "If your engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, your engine could be damaged". I had to ask the stupid question to confirm that I am not missing something by not having added oil above the full mark on the dip stick! Thanks

Charles L · 08-26-2021, 10:05 AM

I doubt that a 5% overfill will hurt anything. If you are that worried about it buy a new filter and change it. That would get rid of 1/2 quart.

530ktm · 08-26-2021, 10:13 AM

I have never heard of anyone intentionally adding more oil than what the specs call for but I do not think 1/2 quart will harm anything.

Flyer15015 · 08-26-2021, 10:19 AM

Don,
Are you measuring oil level hot or cold ? It makes a difference.
If cold, do what Charles said. Drop the filter dump it out and put it back on.
Easy fix.......

Mike in Colorado

Gary RVRoamer · 08-26-2021, 10:41 AM

Quote:

I checked the dip stick it has above 1/2 qt above the full mark on the dip stick. I called the place that changed the oil and the response from Service Tech, was NOT A Problem, "when we change oil in a motorhome we always add above the full mark, that way when driving up a mountain you have extra oil pressure",

Purely hogwash.

Quote:

"If your engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, your engine could be damaged".

Not hogwash, but extremely conservative and a 1/2 quart isn't going to cause a premature failure.

And as someone said, it's an easy fix to get some peace of mind. But you have to be willing to crawl underneath and deal with a bit of mess. Just loosening the filter for a minute or two will probably drain out 1/4-1/2 quart, but it dribbles down the sides. Changing the filter might well reduce it by a quart.

DonGarlin · 08-26-2021, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

Don,
Are you measuring oil level hot or cold ? It makes a difference.
If cold, do what Charles said. Drop the filter dump it out and put it back on.
Easy fix.......

Mike in Colorado

Hi Mike, appreciate your comment! I check Oil Dip stick when COLD! The losing the oil filter makes sense. Thanks

isa · 09-01-2021, 02:24 PM

You mention that it takes 10qt. of oil to change your engine's oil. Is that with or without the oil filter? The only way you are going to get the right or proper reading on your oil dipstick is to start from scratch and add the proper amount of oil with a new oil filter, run the engine for 3 or 4 minutes to fill up the filter, let it cool down so that all the oil is back in the pan and then mark your dipstick at the oil level shown.

cadillac_al · 09-01-2021, 04:34 PM

That extra 1/2 quart will be in the valve covers while the engine is running. It shouldn't be a problem.

bwanna2016 · 09-01-2021, 05:37 PM

my monaco also has the 8.1, but it does not take 10 quarts.

Dav L · 09-02-2021, 05:54 AM

Let's assume that no one changed the oil pan which can change the amount of oil the engine should hold. Let's also assume you know for sure how many quarts the motor should take. And let's also assume the motor has been maintained well and not oil sludged up internally.

The dip stick may not be calibrated for the proper amount of oil.

The way to check is to do another oil change with new filter and a known proper qty of oil and check the level after it has run (filter is then full) and when motor is cold, and letting the motor sit not running for a few minutes (so oil is all in the pan). If the dipstick is not reading correctly, then see if the stick length can be modified so it is showing just full.

One should not run the motor if truly overfull. The oil gets frothed up and can lead to failure. The oil will generally become mist and leave via the slobber tube. I would consider removing the extra quart and monitor oil usage.

The excuse from the shop that may have overfilled it is hogwash. Extra oil is not needed for "climbing hills" and will not add oil pressure. Never listen to this service advisor again because he / she has shown either incompetence or dishonesty.

My guess is they added oil with an oil gun and left it running a quart too long. But you won't know until the next change with a more controlled fill.

charliez · 09-02-2021, 06:20 AM

As long as the level is not still rising you'll be ok. As said, drain out the oil filter and it should put it low enough. Remember to just bump the starter and let turn over a few times to refill. The real bad part is if it keeps rising that will usually mean a fuel leak.

jleonard · 09-02-2021, 06:21 AM

That extra oil won't hurt anything.
Boaters do that very often but not intentionally. The dipsticks are marked assuming a level installation, but in many instances the engines are nose up by 5 degrees or so. That shows about a 1/2 quart under the full mark, so most add oil to "top it off".
You might get a little extra "yuck" out of the PCV vakve but it shouldn't hurt anything.
Just make it right the next oil change.

charliez · 09-02-2021, 06:30 AM

I over fill my $200 hooptie that I use for around town and back and forth to work. It looks like crap and some people won't ride in it. The clearcoat is peeling but the radio and ac is excellent. I call it HooptieCold. It uses a little bit between fillups and I'll add an extra dose so I can go longer without worrying about it and it's been going fine for years. It's used to keep miles and wear off my nice fancy pants truck.

LETMGROW · 09-02-2021, 06:51 AM

A half quart of oil shouldn't cause a problem. If you'd feel better, then by all means remove the filter, dump the oil into a clean pan or back into a clean oil bottle and reinstall the filter. Start the engine and run for a minute or so then shut it off, wait a couple minutes and check the oil level. If the oil level is below full, replenish it as necessary.
What the oil change place told you about adding oil so you can climb hills is pure nonsense. Apparently they know nothing about engines or where an oil pickup is placed inside an engine oil pan. The pickup will be in the lowest (sump) part of the oil pan and slightly off the bottom of the pan. You could never climb anything steep enough to starve the oil pump if the oil level is at it's designated full mark or even a couple quarts low.