Too much engine oil?

N

nicolachel

New member
I noticed today that there's something weird under the oil filler cap, as shown in the picture.

I then took the dipstick out, wiped it clean and then inserted again to check the level and it doesn't look very good as the level seems to be well above the MAX point. Tried a few times and the results are more or less the seem as shown in the second picture.

So does this mean that there's too much oil in the engine?

Thanks!
 

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ClockWork said:
Cold weather + short trips = condensation buildup in the oil causing your white looking oil-fill cap.
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Condensation means water. Condensation isn't going to raise the oil level. Water from the cooling system into the oil system will.

Do you know positively that your oil level was correct at some point?
You should do an oil flush and change as soon as you can. (1/2 qt of ATF fluid in the oil for 50-100 miles makes a great flush)

If you get the foaming again and increase in level, get a full compression test done. You may have a head gasket going out.
 
For those of us who have no choice but to make many short trips very often, is there any oil additive or anything that can be done to make this less impact to the truck/engine?

I purposely drive out of my way at night (train station to home) to ensure I drive a couple of miles but my wife may only drive 1 mile on some days since she works very close by.
 
JohnnyT said:
For those of us who have no choice but to make many short trips very often, is there any oil additive or anything that can be done to make this less impact to the truck/engine?

I purposely drive out of my way at night (train station to home) to ensure I drive a couple of miles but my wife may only drive 1 mile on some days since she works very close by.
Click to expand...

If you are only going a mile or less, you could walk or ride a bike! It really isn't good to start and stop a car that quick.


Jesse
 
Great advise, Einstein. You must have not read the "no choice" part.

The wife is 87 yrs old and delivers cement each morning. The mile walk with the cement could be tough on her thrombosis on cold, rainy days.
 
Gerdo said:
Condensation means water. Condensation isn't going to raise the oil level. Water from the cooling system into the oil system will.

Do you know positively that your oil level was correct at some point?
You should do an oil flush and change as soon as you can. (1/2 qt of ATF fluid in the oil for 50-100 miles makes a great flush)

If you get the foaming again and increase in level, get a full compression test done. You may have a head gasket going out.
Click to expand...

X2 on that...
 
Never used an ATF for a flush, but if it works then by all means. However, AMSOIL does make an engine oil flush. Simply dump the whole bottle in, let it run for 10-15 minutes then immediately drain the oil and refill. Oh, and of course change the filter!
 
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JohnnyT said:
Great advise, Einstein. You must have not read the "no choice" part.

The wife is 87 yrs old and delivers cement each morning. The mile walk with the cement could be tough on her thrombosis on cold, rainy days.
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All right slick, The short answer is "NO". Sorry, there is no mechanic in a bottle that can make short trips good for your car. Not only does it add condensation to the crankcase but into your exhaust system as well. The number of rotted exhausts I've changed off of short trip granny mobiles is unreal.

Jesse
 
nicolachel said:
I noticed today that there's something weird under the oil filler cap, as shown in the picture.

I then took the dipstick out, wiped it clean and then inserted again to check the level and it doesn't look very good as the level seems to be well above the MAX point. Tried a few times and the results are more or less the seem as shown in the second picture.

So does this mean that there's too much oil in the engine?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Is your coolant low? Does that foamy stuff smell like coolant. If so you've blown your HG.

edit: the fact that your oil level is "high" makes me lean toward HG. You can't get THAT much condensation to increase the oil level.

Please keep up posted on your outcome!
 
Gerdo said:
Condensation means water. Condensation isn't going to raise the oil level. Water from the cooling system into the oil system will.

Do you know positively that your oil level was correct at some point?
You should do an oil flush and change as soon as you can. (1/2 qt of ATF fluid in the oil for 50-100 miles makes a great flush)

If you get the foaming again and increase in level, get a full compression test done. You may have a head gasket going out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, I let the dealer changed the oil a while ago and didn't really check it, but I did notice that the coolant level was higher than it is now(it's now just at the middle point from Low mark to High mark but I seem to remember that it was higher than that earlier)

I'll change it soon but could you be more specific about "oil flush"? Does that mean I change the oil with 1/2 qt of ATF fluid+oil or does that mean I add some ATF fluid in the old oil?

Thanks
 
MICA4R said:
Is your coolant low? Does that foamy stuff smell like coolant. If so you've blown your HG.

edit: the fact that your oil level is "high" makes me lean toward HG. You can't get THAT much condensation to increase the oil level.

Please keep up posted on your outcome!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, Coolant value might be low from what I could remember. I'll try to smell it tomorrow cause it's cold out now.
 
Gerdo said:
Since it is already high, add 1/4 quart to the oil.
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So shall I just use the toyota type IV ATF?

:(I tried to smell it today but the oil filler cap just smells like oil and the coolant doesn't seem to have a distinct smell that I could tell under the cover of the heavy oil smell.

Pulled the dipstick again today and the result changed, as shown in the photo, I didn't do anything to the car(and didn't even start it), :confused:
 

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Runner27 said:
may I ask how short is your commute? I also commute short distance frequently but do not have this problem (yet).
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I actually don't drive along a fixed route, but the longest one is like 3 to 4 miles and sometimes less than 2 miles.

I did try to warm it up for like 1 minute or 2 at each cold start and the water temp will sometimes rise to 1/2 of the gauge when I arrive, sometimes close to that.

May I also ask how long is your commute?

Thanks
 
BOSMECH said:
Change the oil and also check your radiator cap to see if it has the same oil/water look also.
Click to expand...

The radiator cap with warnings on it seems to be very clean and the radiator is full so some coolant spilled out when I try to remove it.

Will do the flush and change asap.
 
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