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Too much oil a problem

MvM

Legendary Member
Joined
12 February 2002
Messages
3,021
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Just changed my oil for the first time. No I notice that on the dipstick the oil is above level. My quess is about half a liter.
Should I drain some oil out before driving or doesn't it matter too much ?
When running idle the oil-pressure is now around 4 and runs up to 6 when driving.

I read in another post that sometimes too much oil is more harmful than too little. However, I also read that a bit above level isn't too bad because on the track it might reduce the chance of oil-starvation.

I'm going to Mas-du-Clos in France coming Friday to have my first time track experience. It's a 500-550 mile trip to the track.
 
MvM,

If it's a half a liter/quart (close enough) I would say forget about it.

By the time you reach Mas-du-Clos it should be fine.

-Jim

------------------
1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
http://homepage.mac.com/jimanders/PhotoAlbum1.html
 
Maarten,

I am undecided about this. On one hand 1/2 liter is not that much, but since you are taking it to the track you will be running at high rev's (6-8Krpm) hopefully!!

Under these conditions, you will build more crankcase pressure then on the street, so it is probably not the best combination, overfill and high revs.

I recommend you watch it carefully. If you see the slightest oil weeping anywere, get the extra oil out. Particularly look at the PCV valve and breather.

Did you check the level after you started and warmed the car up? I guess it is about 8mm above the top hole in the dipstick?

To be extra cautious, I would drain a little, eliminate the overfill, and check it between every session on the track. Remember, if you blow a bunch of oil out it is bad for you, and bad for the rest of the participants, especially if it ends up on the track surface, as in NOT SAFE.

IMO, safety overrules any other parameter, so with that in mind, I would drain a little out.

HTH,
LarryB

[This message has been edited by Larry Bastanza (edited 22 August 2002).]
 
It's always wise to be prudent, but we're only talking a half a quart guys. The tolerances for getting into overfilling trouble are surely much more than that. We're probably only talking an additional quarter inch in the pan.

http://www.motorway.com/home/articles/qandaoverfilledoil.asp

I would think if you put in a quart or more then it would be wise to drain, but a half a quart? It shouldn't matter. Particularly, since you're going to be driving for several hundred non-track miles. If you want to play it safe, just take it easy (don't redline the engine) until you arrive at the track.

And if you WERE going to drain out a half of quart, unless you had one of those dipstick pumps, you might as well just drain the entire pan and refill.

Unless you had a spare drain pan bolt with a fresh crush washer, it's going to be a messy hassle to quickly put on the new washer. Of course, you could get a friend to stick their finger in the dyke while you replaced the crush washer...but...

Of course, if you did have one of those dipstick extraction pumps, do it. Suck out a half quart and be done with it. But, if you don't have such a pump, for a half quart, I seriously wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't.

-Jim

------------------
1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
http://homepage.mac.com/jimanders/PhotoAlbum1.html
 
Guys,
Thanks for all the replies. Feelings are mixed. I've driven the car to work without any problems and will check all fluids when I get back home tonight before I leave for France tomorrow morning. Last night the oil was about 4mm above level on the dipstick.
I haven't noticed any oil burning at the exhaust, or leaking on the floor or in the engine compartment but will check in extra again tonight. If not, I will try to get some oil out with a suction tube.
I have already ordered the Griotts oil extractor but haven't got it yet. Too bad, I could have used it this time immediately.
 
An option to removing the drain plug is to remove the filter, drain it and re-attach. Might want to do this when the engine is cold so you can handle it easy. The amount of oil in the filter may be just what you need to drain, if more is required run the car briefly to re-fill the filter and repeat.
 
In my race car (street car build to race), BMW M3, we always run 1/2 quart more to reduce chance of oil starvation. Anything more than this can cause oil foaming. This was recommendation from few Tuners/racers, even if the car running with oil pan baffle. Once I installed Accusump, however, they recommend not to have additional oil added. They even recommend to reduce it by 1/2 quart from the full mark.

As far as NSX goes, I always run 1/2 quart more too. But I installed Accusump a short while ago, so, I run them at slightly lower at full mark now.
 
Originally posted by MvM:
Guys,
Thanks for all the replies. Feelings are mixed. I've driven the car to work without any problems and will check all fluids when I get back home tonight before I leave for France tomorrow morning. Last night the oil was about 4mm above level on the dipstick.
I haven't noticed any oil burning at the exhaust, or leaking on the floor or in the engine compartment but will check in extra again tonight. If not, I will try to get some oil out with a suction tube.
I have already ordered the Griotts oil extractor but haven't got it yet. Too bad, I could have used it this time immediately.

Hi Maarten,

I see you tomorrow at the border of Belgium from where we 're goming to Mas du Clos.

Doing trackracing often is suggested to put for about 1/2 liter extra in he engine, this because of the G-forces at long bends of a track. So don't worry we do about 550 miles before we are on the track.

I think problems will occur when you put more than 1/2 liter to much in your engine.

See you tomorrow,
Gerard
 
Originally posted by MvM:
Guys,
Thanks for all the replies. Feelings are mixed. I've driven the car to work without any problems and will check all fluids when I get back home tonight before I leave for France tomorrow morning. Last night the oil was about 4mm above level on the dipstick.
I haven't noticed any oil burning at the exhaust, or leaking on the floor or in the engine compartment but will check in extra again tonight. If not, I will try to get some oil out with a suction tube.
I have already ordered the Griotts oil extractor but haven't got it yet. Too bad, I could have used it this time immediately.

Hi Maarten,

I see you tomorrow at the border of Belgium from where we 're goming to Mas du Clos.

Doing trackracing often is suggested to put for about 1/2 liter extra in he engine, this because of the G-forces at long bends of a track. So don't worry we do about 550 miles before we are on the track.

I think problems will occur when you put more than 1/2 liter to much in your engine.

See you tomorrow,
Gerard
 
Thanks for all the replies.
I've noticed my oil-pressure is more or less back to the usual 2 bar when idling and between 4 and 6 when driving.
Furthermore, tomorrow I will have three onther NSX-guys with lots of experience to give me hints and tips and at Mas-du-Clos there will be even more than that.
 
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