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Car Forum / Saab Cars / April 2005

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Too much oil in the block?

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P K - 07 Apr 2005 23:03 GMT
Hi,
I recently noticed some oil drops below my '86 900 (8v) manual hatch.
This is unusual since after the initial drips after an oil change, I
have never seen any further oil. I looked at the dip stick and noticed
the level was over an inch above the MAX indicator. Is this ok? Could
it be the reason for the drips?
THanks
--Paul
Henrik B. - 08 Apr 2005 09:09 GMT
> Hi,
> I recently noticed some oil drops below my '86 900 (8v) manual hatch.
> This is unusual since after the initial drips after an oil change, I
> have never seen any further oil. I looked at the dip stick and noticed
> the level was over an inch above the MAX indicator. Is this ok? Could
> it be the reason for the drips?

THIS I NOT OKAY!!! You have to removed the exessive oil right away, it can
ruin your engine. And yes, might very well be the reason for dripping.

Cheers!
Johannes - 08 Apr 2005 11:51 GMT
> > Hi,
> > I recently noticed some oil drops below my '86 900 (8v) manual hatch.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Cheers!

I have experienced (in the past) that garages often overfill at service,
then put a 5L jug on the bill. However, I do oil changes myself these days.
Mac Townsend - 08 Apr 2005 18:28 GMT
how can excess oil (filling w/5 qts instead of 4.2) ruin the engine?

(I'm not challenging your statement, but wish to know the basis for it
for my own education)

> THIS I NOT OKAY!!! You have to removed the exessive oil right away, it
> can  ruin your engine.
Dexter J - 08 Apr 2005 19:57 GMT
Salutations:

> how can excess oil (filling w/5 qts instead of 4.2) ruin the engine?
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>> THIS I NOT OKAY!!! You have to removed the exessive oil right away, it
>> can  ruin your engine.

Actually - excess oil in the block can lead to all kinds of seal leak and  
bearing surface problems (not that I'm the OP on the above, but ask me how  
I know, as they say).

Basically - the oil system on any engine is a careful balance between a  
known viscosity at a known pressure at a given volume of oil. Overfilling  
seriously stresses the rubber and bearing clearance calculations at  
cruising RPM.

It seems to me most likely that whoever changed the oil didn't completely  
empty the block (say the car wasn't level) or just overfilled it (assuming  
all other things being equal). If the block was run cold and carrying a  
lot of oil in the galleries and head - you sometimes end up with a half  
litre in the system that doesn't drop. I actually run the car to fan start  
and pull the breather on changes now, just in case.

The best thing to do it get a cheap turkey baster and a length of hose and  
pull out what you need to get it right. Measure it, make note of the  
mileage since the last change and see if it repeats. If it does, you  
probably need to look at rings or venting. If it doesn't - be more careful  
about oil changes down the road.

It would be a long shot - but if your filter was somehow out of the  
circuit or your pump had failed completely - you could end up about 1/2  
litre proud - but I've never heard of anyone managing to drive more than a  
few miles in either situation yet. Stunningly tough blocks though they be.

Happy motoring.

--

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P K - 08 Apr 2005 23:54 GMT
> Salutations:
>
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> Happy motoring.

(OP) Yikes, I'll check these things out pronto. Thanks all!
--Paul
P K - 10 Apr 2005 01:10 GMT
> > Salutations:
> >
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> (OP) Yikes, I'll check these things out pronto. Thanks all!
> --Paul

Well I took it back to the place that I get my oil changes. They drained
the oil and refilled it with the recomended 4 quarts (US). The dip stick
still shows over the MAX line, but not as much as before. The mechanic
also noticed the drips were comming from my trans, not the block. Any
further comments (I fear the worst)?
--Paul
Dave Hinz - 08 Apr 2005 15:12 GMT
> Hi,
> I recently noticed some oil drops below my '86 900 (8v) manual hatch.
> This is unusual since after the initial drips after an oil change, I
> have never seen any further oil. I looked at the dip stick and noticed
> the level was over an inch above the MAX indicator. Is this ok? Could
> it be the reason for the drips?

Yes, if that's all oil.  What's the color and texture?  Any unusual
smells (gasoline or coolant) in the oil?  If it was just overfilled,
then yes that could cause a leak somewhere.  If it wasn't overfilled
and the sump is filling with something other than oil, then you have
a problem.

An inch high on a sump that size is rather a lot of liquid, I think
it'd be more than a quart.  Anyone?
P K - 26 Apr 2005 23:20 GMT
> Hi,
> I recently noticed some oil drops below my '86 900 (8v) manual hatch.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> THanks
> --Paul

Well I had the car back to the service station and the mechanic
drained the oil and re-filled with exactly 4 quarts. The dip
sticj still showed about an inch over the MAX line. They had
no advice for me. I thought maybe sludge in the pan. Then I
thought a clogged filter. So to thest the latter I want to
replace the oil filter. But can I do it without draining the oil?
It is high up on the block, I'd like to try it before dropping
the pan or some other investigation.
Thanks
--Paul
Sleeker GT Phwoar - 27 Apr 2005 10:12 GMT
> Well I had the car back to the service station and the mechanic
> drained the oil and re-filled with exactly 4 quarts. The dip
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> It is high up on the block, I'd like to try it before dropping
> the pan or some other investigation.

You will never get all the old oil out.
Best thing is to to drain, gradually add oil until it shows max on the
stick after being allowed to settle for a minute or two.

Once it shows max, run it for a few minutes and then check level after
the filter and oil ways have filled. Let it drain back for 5 minutes,
check the level again, add if needed.

Never go with adding a set ammount of oil, because that is what the book
says the capacity is. It will usually list several quantities, dry fill
(new, never filled engine), drain and fill, and drain and fill with
filter. usually even then it will be slightly over what you need.
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John B - 27 Apr 2005 16:59 GMT
> Well I had the car back to the service station and the mechanic
> drained the oil and re-filled with exactly 4 quarts. The dip

I think the "official" capacity is 4.2 quarts (or was that litres?). I don't
have the book on hand to check. But after I drain it, adding 4 quarts seems to
get me right up to max, or at least not more than a hair above it.

Regarding the oil filter: I find that even after the oil is drained, a fair bit
of oil still comes out (mostly onto my hands) when I unscrew the filter.

John
 
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