Oil - a bit dirty looking and overfilled

[Rob_G]

I have a 2010 4R TE with only 8800kms on it. About 6 weeks ago I had the oil changed at 7400kms because it was at the 6 month interval. I know owners in the US have been told to go a year now between changes (or 10,000 miles), but so far the change interval here remains unchanged - or I haven't been told otherwise. Anyhow, I checked the oil today since it's nice out (above freezing) and not -20c like is has been for most of this winter. The oil already looks a bit darker dirty(?) than I thought it would be. New oil should be barely visible on the dipstick right? The factory oil was really hard to see on the dipstick. It's also overfilled.. It pisses me off because my dealership overfilled my FJ and acted like it was no big deal. Now they overfill my 4R...

Rob

 

[harper7]

I have a 2010 4R TE with only 8800kms on it. About 6 weeks ago I had the oil changed at 7400kms because it was at the 6 month interval. I know owners in the US have been told to go a year now between changes (or 10,000 miles), but so far the change interval here remains unchanged - or I haven't been told otherwise. Anyhow, I checked the oil today since it's nice out (above freezing) and not -20c like is has been for most of this winter. The oil already looks a bit darker dirty(?) than I thought it would be. New oil should be barely visible on the dipstick right? The factory oil was really hard to see on the dipstick. It's also overfilled.. It pisses me off because my dealership overfilled my FJ and acted like it was no big deal. Now they overfill my 4R...

Rob

.
Take it back and make them get the quantity right.Another case of the dealer puts the window licker mechanic on 10k inspections . I put exactly 6.5 quarts from in mine and it's right at the top dot every time.

As far as looking dirty.... I changed my oil 3 times now and the one time I used some of Toyota's OEM 0w-20 it was darker like that when new right out of the bottle.I was actually kinda suprised as I thought they were using Mobil 1.
The Mobile 1 0w-20 I used was almost clear when new and hard to read on the stick.

 

[echo4tango]

umm..as far as that oil in the photo being dirty i think you are being way too picky . color of the oil DOES NOT matter at all.

all oils will get darker and they will have particles in it to some extent just due to the fact that it is being used to lubricate and internal combustion engine.

make sure you are checking the oil correctly. wipe off the dip stick at least once before you try to guage the level. if it is still over filled take it back and have them correct it.

 

[Rob_G]

umm..as far as that oil in the photo being dirty i think you are being way too picky . color of the oil DOES NOT matter at all.

all oils will get darker and they will have particles in it to some extent just due to the fact that it is being used to lubricate and internal combustion engine.

make sure you are checking the oil correctly. wipe off the dip stick at least once before you try to guage the level. if it is still over filled take it back and have them correct it.

Nope, not being picky, just asking a question.

I know how to properly check the oil in my truck also.

Rob

 

[Rob_G]

.
Take it back and make them get the quantity right.Another case of the dealer puts the window licker mechanic on 10k inspections . I put exactly 6.5 quarts from in mine and it's right at the top dot every time.

It's frustrating because it wastes my time and makes me feel like an ass for complaining about the overfill again. I re-checked the oil level about 3 or 4 times to make absolutely sure it was showing overfilled on the stick.

How much do you think they went over?

Rob

 

[harper7]

It's frustrating because it wastes my time and makes me feel like an ass for complaining about the overfill again. I re-checked the oil level about 3 or 4 times to make absolutely sure it was showing overfilled on the stick.

How much do you think they went over?

Rob

Ya, I know what you mean,it's frustrating for me to even think of going to the dealership for ANY reason.

I have no idea exactly how much they went over but if I had to guess it would be around 1/2 quart or more.

You could let some out your self but it would be messy. Just use a clean bucket or something to catch it in underneath. Loosen and Pull the drain plug out by hand for a couple of seconds to release some oil and stick it back in and tighten.
Recheck oil level .

I wouldn't feel like an ass making them correct their screw-up and would be a little irate with them to be honest.Time is a valuable thing and I never seem to have enough.

Some people will say a little over filled won't hurt anything and to be honest I don't know. I just know I don't do it. Rumors are it makes the engine work harder,giving less mpg and froths the oil because the crankshaft is hitting the oil in the case. Who really knows for sure unless you take the oil pan off and see how much clearance there is under the crank and how high up the oil sits.

 

[echo4tango]

yep i figured as much but just had to make sure anyway..:guitar2:

 

[Koz]

The only way to determine the condition of the oil is a used oil analysis (UOA), not the color. The Toyota 0w-20 is very good oil and fairly priced (as good as Mobile 1). If you have a UOA done just before you plan on changing it, you may be able to extend the oil change interval (OCI), if you want to. I'll bet 10K miles or one year will be fine.

Koz

 

[Rob_G]

Some people will say a little over filled won't hurt anything and to be honest I don't know. I just know I don't do it. Rumors are it makes the engine work harder,giving less mpg and froths the oil because the crankshaft is hitting the oil in the case. Who really knows for sure unless you take the oil pan off and see how much clearance there is under the crank and how high up the oil sits.

I stopped by the dealership and discussed it with my sales guy. He wrote a note he is going to present to the service manager on monday. Hopefully they take care of it the same day.



Rob

 

[DocMT]

The two dots on the dipstick represent 1 quart of oil. In other words, if your level is right at the bottom dot, then you add exactly 1 quart to reach the top dot. So it seems pretty apparent that the dealership overfilled your crankcase by less than 1/2 quart. It looks to be closer to 1/3 of a quart.

That's not a big deal. The danger with overfilling your crankcase it that an oil level that is too high can foam as it gets "whipped" by the crankshaft. For that to happen, you'd have to have much more oil in your crankcase than your dipstick is indicating. You'd really have to grossly overfill it by at least two quarts or more.

That said, I wouldn't really get too upset about it. There's really no harm done by them adding an extra 1/2 quart or so.

 

[1000MPH]

If you do a google search, other people agree with DocMT that the amt is too small to cause damage.
I did the search a few mo's ago when I took my truck back in for underfilling and they promptly overfilled it a tiny bit (approx 2mm up the stick).

FWIW, I believe the manual states that the dipstick marks do not represent a difference of 1 qt.

 

[DocMT]

FWIW, I believe the manual states that the dipstick marks do not represent a difference of 1 qt.

Well, if that's the case it is certainly news to me. That's been a standard for as long as I can remember. Whether you have two dots, two holes, or crosshatch marks or whatever, it usually represents 1 quart of oil. Shame on Toyota if they changed from that well-known standard.

 

[1000MPH]

Oil quantity
(Low → Full)
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
1.8 qt. (1.7 L, 1.5 Imp. qt.)

 

[DocMT]

Wow, that's surprising. I wonder if other manufacturers have abandoned the 1 qt standard on the dipstick.

 

[empty403]

My neighbor just changed his oil on his 5th Gen and he had told me that dot to dot is about 1qt/liter. I think it is still a standard of about 1qt, but no manufacturer will state that so they won't be responsible when someone checks their oil on a non level surface and adds too much or too little.

 

[Orygun4R]

I would bet that if something happened catastrophic to your engine, and you had previously overfilled the oil (as the dealer had for the OP)and it could be proven that it was overfilled, Toyota would lnot honor any warranties.:cry2:

A little or a lot, according to the repair manual, the top hole means "full", and if you have more than that, it'scalled overfull.

For me, no hesitation.......take it back to the dealer and have them fix it. I would also send a email, letter, whatever, to Toyota that the dealer said it was "OK" to overfill your oil.

Out.

 

[Ryan F.]

First, if the Rob's pic is the evidence that this truck has been overfilled, I would argue the accuracy of that statement given that the stick appears to reflect a reading with oil still in the top end--meaning that not all of the oil has yet reached the pan. That pic is not an accurate read. Let the truck sit overnight, and then check. I would also assert that the color looks fine. Secondly, a slight overfill is not reason for concern according to my technician who I trust and is recognized as a Master Technician. Gross overfill causes foaming which inhibits protection. What is gross overfill? I would venture to suggest that more than 1/4 quart.

 

[DocMT]

First, if the Rob's pic is the evidence that this truck has been overfilled, I would argue the accuracy of that statement given that the stick appears to reflect a reading with oil still in the top end--meaning that not all of the oil has yet reached the pan. That pic is not an accurate read. Let the truck sit overnight, and then check. I would also assert that the color looks fine. Secondly, a slight overfill is not reason for concern according to my technician who I trust and is recognized as a Master Technician. Gross overfill causes foaming which inhibits protection. What is gross overfill? I would venture to suggest that more than 1/4 quart.

Even if the engine wasn't started in more than 24 hours, you'd still probably get some stray oil on the top of the dipstick because of residual oil in the dipstick tube. But since his oil level looks to be clearly higher than the top dot I'd say it is overfilled for sure. Allowing every last ounce of oil to drain to the bottom of the pan could only make the oil level appear higher on the dipstick. I still don't think that amount of overfill is a big deal though.

 

[DaveS]

At the dealers they fill the oil from a machine - punch in the details and it dispenses the correct amount of oil. My concern would be they rushed the job and did not fully drain the old oil out - hence the slight overfill and tinge to the oil.

 

[Ryan F.]

Even if the engine wasn't started in more than 24 hours, you'd still probably get some stray oil on the top of the dipstick because of residual oil in the dipstick tube. But since his oil level looks to be clearly higher than the top dot I'd say it is overfilled for sure. Allowing every last ounce of oil to drain to the bottom of the pan could only make the oil level appear higher on the dipstick. I still don't think that amount of overfill is a big deal though.

Yeah, I get what you mean, but if you look at the stick there are clearly pockets of space below the top dot which will be filled by the oil above the top dot. This is not a clear read. I have had almost the exact same read--and yes, I did think it was an overfill--only to come back in the morning to find the level perfect. This is a pretty long dipstick--particularly for a guy coming from a car like me--so getting an exact read can be a little difficult at times. I know that we are splitting hairs here, but I don't think Rob has anything to worry about. Drive the truck dude!