Un-Kut

and on top of that, i left the old oil filter on which also carries a certain amount of oil because it was absolutley impossible to take the damn thing off unless you go to a shop.... anybody know how much damage too much oil can cause? i checked my dipstick and the readings always change.... sometimes its at the second dot... sometimes its under.... sometimes over...

Un-Kut

anybody know how much oil is in the oil filter when the engine is off?

fdl

Your oil reading shouldnt keep changing. Make sure you are on level ground and make sure your car has been off for a few minutes so the oil can settle.


As far as damage, I guess it really depends how much over you are. Some possible problems are :

- high pressure may develop in the crankcase, you can get oil leakage through the oil pan gasket and other engine seals.

- You might have noticed reduced gas mileage while the oil level was too high - it's possible that the crankshaft was splashing in the oil, which made it work harder.

- splashing could cause the oil to foam up, which could cause the oil pressure in the crankcase to drop and perhaps lead to premature engine wear or even damage

budzzz

I take my ride to the shop for oil changes and always specify "4" quarts.

biker

Don't worry about it unless it's over the upper mark. Get yourself a proper oil filter wrench to get if off next time.

Deelover

Take the front passenger tire off and use a professional pliers type of oil filter wrench. I found that to be the easiset way. Also I put that fram sure drain on. If you put too much oil in (which you shouldnt do in the first place) with the sure drain you can drain out the excess easily.

MrChad

Like others have said how far over the top dot are you?

My Accord was a good 1/8 to 1/4" over from the factory when new, I use this as a guide for max fill.

joerockt

I had to put in 5qts last time I changed oil. And the oil filter hardly holds any oil anyway. You should be ok.

JeffTSX

Just check the dip stick after you fill the recommented amount, if it's under than fill more.

kurt_bradley

Pop off the filter for a second and stick it back on. Crank the engine on, and then turn it off. Spray degreaser all over the place where the oil ran out (which would be all over your subframe and will slowly find its way on your garage floor). If you don't spray it off, you'll think you've got a leak and you'll end up wasting someone's time. Check the dipstick and make sure your under the upper mark. As long as you're under the upper hold on the stick, you're fine. This, provided you have let the oil cool in the pan and that you're on level ground. Next time. Measure out your oil first. It's not that hard (especially if they're all separate quarts). If you're like me and you get Mobil 1 in the 5 qt. jugs, look on the side of the jug. It is a graduated container for a reason. It will make your life easy if you take the extra 5 seconds to measure in your oil rather than just dumping it in the funnel. You'll thank yourself later when you don't have to go through this all over again. Have fun

Un-Kut

okay i just did proper measurements and my car took almost 6 quarts of oil and its still not on the top dot....

biker

Maybe that idiot that ran his EVO completely dry of oil by removing the filter and running his engine and got ridiculed all over the Internet, mis-read advice like this.

Eeyore

Someone once told me that if you take the filter off once it is screwed down to the motor, you won't get a proper seal again. Can anyone confirm this?

biker

Somewhat true depending on how long it has been on there (if you tighten it enough it should be fine). You also have to watch out for the "CR-V" issue - where the seal didn't completely come off leading to subsequent leaks and fires.

joerockt

Yea, I dont know about Kurt's advice. I would just spend the little money and take it to a shop and get it done again.

ClutchPerformer

OMG, your car is history!! You better sell it right now!!!

joerockt

Did you leave the drain plug off??? lol...

Maybe your dipstick isnt long enough. Just take it to your dealer if your having this much trouble changing oil. Your going to ruin your car.

jlukja

joerockt has a good point. Are you sure you are putting the dipstick ALL the way in so that it is seated properly?

fdl

speaking of dipstick ...

Dan Martin

joerockt

Mod harrasment! I wanna file a complaint

jlukja

You can file your complaint here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/complaints.com

joerockt

I was wating for "Oh a complaint? Let me get my trashcan..."

Whiskers

MrChad

I hadn't clicked on this before....I want one of these for coworkers!

Eeyore

Changed the oil on the TSX this past weekend. It took the entire 5 qt jug of Mobil 1 to fill it up to the top line. I then drove the car for approximately 25 miles immediately afterwards, and then opened the hood and inspected under the car for leaks or any fresh oil smells. Shut the car off and checked the oil about 5 mins later and it was still at the top line. I was talking to someone I know who has worked on cars their entire life and their theory was that 4.4 quarts is Honda's official recommendation but the engine is capable of taking extra for "reserve", to protect dopes who never check their oil.

mg7726

^^ yes you are correct. 5 quarts puts mine up to the top also.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

It's really not that complicated. The lubrication capacity is 5.6 qts. Acura recommends 4.4 qts for oil change with filter. That's a normal quick oil drain, replace plug, remove filter and replace filter. However, if you simply let it drain until nothing comes out of the drain hole, it will take more than 4.4 qts to fill it back up. I filled in 5.25 qts.

IMO, if you are changing the oil and not in a hurry, why not drain all the dirty oil out? Let me give an example, my wife took her Civic in for the 30K service and as part of the service, they changed the oil/filter. When she got the car back, I decided to check the oil and the damn dip stick was black! That's how those quick lube place as well as some dealers perform the oil changes. I actually watched how they did it when I brought my company car in for routine oil change.

Eeyore

So it seems that several of us have easily fit 5.0 quarts in. I'm curious why they'd say in the manuals that the capacity is 4.4 quarts when the system actually takes more. I'm talking about draining 95% of the oil from the engine -- of course you're never going to get it all out. If 4.4 only brings it up to the bottom dot, why wouldn't they recommend 4.7 or 4.8 quarts to bring it up a bit higher. I doubt that Acura had the mechanic who screws the drain plug back on with some oil still flowing out of the pan in mind when they printed 4.4 quarts.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

I'm not saying the dealer put the drain plug back in while the oil is still draining. I'm saying they don't wait for all the dirty oil to drain. How much do you think they made from oil changes? The quicker the job is done, they can move on to the next job. Most mechanics are not paid by the hours, rather by how many job they performed. Believe me, draining every drop of dirty oil is not their best interest. When the engine is turned off, it takes awhile for the oil from the upper cylinder head, as well as the various parts of the engine to drain down to the pan. They simply will not do that for you.

Also, specification is subject to change without notice. Therefore, don't believe everything printed. I have noticed the incorrect tightening torque spec printed in the factory service manual as well. So, if the oil is not up to the correct level, just add oil. It's as simple as that.