Exasperating oil overfill
08-28-2001, 03:24 PM
#1
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Exasperating oil overfill
Quick Q for one and all – how full is the oil reservoir when it is WAY TOO FULL?
I picked up my 89 C4 from its 90K service, drove it home in a rush, then put it in the garage and departed for a weeklong trip overseas. Came back and immediately went to go for a ride, opened my garage to see oil all over the floor.
I fired up the car to see the gauge IMMEDIATELY pinned at the top...smoke blew out for at least a minute...I then ran it for a bit...the gauge barely budged from its peak position when under acceleration...got it warm and took the car home. Opened up the reservoir which was literally full to the rim – and not with Brim. I siphoned out one full liter soda-bottle’s worth, yet my level is still high. (Sorry: don't recall exact dipstick level.)
Any guesses on how far my ride was overfilled? And as part of my $900 service (other minor fixes included), how lame is this by a "specialist"?
Peter
I picked up my 89 C4 from its 90K service, drove it home in a rush, then put it in the garage and departed for a weeklong trip overseas. Came back and immediately went to go for a ride, opened my garage to see oil all over the floor.
I fired up the car to see the gauge IMMEDIATELY pinned at the top...smoke blew out for at least a minute...I then ran it for a bit...the gauge barely budged from its peak position when under acceleration...got it warm and took the car home. Opened up the reservoir which was literally full to the rim – and not with Brim. I siphoned out one full liter soda-bottle’s worth, yet my level is still high. (Sorry: don't recall exact dipstick level.)
Any guesses on how far my ride was overfilled? And as part of my $900 service (other minor fixes included), how lame is this by a "specialist"?
Peter
08-28-2001, 06:50 PM
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Well Peter, you have a major problem on your hands - or I should say your "specialist" does!
It's not just a simple case of too much oil in the tank - it is in your induction system now and will be very difficult to get out.
I have seen pix of this getting oil up to the hot wire for the intake and causing real problems. Oil will go into the induction system through the vent lines.
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR ! I would have it flat bedded back to the shop and have them fix what they have done.
It's not just a simple case of too much oil in the tank - it is in your induction system now and will be very difficult to get out.
I have seen pix of this getting oil up to the hot wire for the intake and causing real problems. Oil will go into the induction system through the vent lines.
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR ! I would have it flat bedded back to the shop and have them fix what they have done.
08-28-2001, 06:55 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Two areas to have the "specialist" check are the throttle body and secondary air plenum. They're probably full of oil.
Incidentally, I used to request that my mechanic underfill my oil by a quart, then I would top it off myself. Fortunately, he always underfilled filled it by almost exactly one quart. I'm going to start doing the changes myself from now on though. Much cheaper and it sounds pretty simple.
Incidentally, I used to request that my mechanic underfill my oil by a quart, then I would top it off myself. Fortunately, he always underfilled filled it by almost exactly one quart. I'm going to start doing the changes myself from now on though. Much cheaper and it sounds pretty simple.
08-29-2001, 12:13 AM
#4
Peter - I live in Fairfax and want to make sure I don't take my '91 C2 to these clowns - can you tell me the name of the shop? Feel free to e-mail me privately if you wish. Thanks,
Steve
snugent@bellatlantic.net
Steve
snugent@bellatlantic.net
08-29-2001, 03:40 AM
#5
I live in the same area. I'd like to know who did this too. If you don't want to say the name publicly (perfectly understandable) please e-mail me directly (wagner@sprynet.com).
Thanks,
Bill Wagner
Thanks,
Bill Wagner
08-29-2001, 05:41 AM
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Guys,
It never gets mentioned so I will mention it.
When you have an oil change done. DO NOT PUT BACK THE FULL 11 or 12 Litres or Quarts. If you do this overfill problem will happen everytime with various results of clean up required and future problems of which we are only now starting to learn about.
Only refill after a complete drain with 9 Litres or Quarts. Run the engine to operating temp check with dipstick and top up as necessary. Normally it is not necessary to top it off. Tell this to your mechanics. It is also evident that none of these people have the Manual or they do not read it.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4
It never gets mentioned so I will mention it.
When you have an oil change done. DO NOT PUT BACK THE FULL 11 or 12 Litres or Quarts. If you do this overfill problem will happen everytime with various results of clean up required and future problems of which we are only now starting to learn about.
Only refill after a complete drain with 9 Litres or Quarts. Run the engine to operating temp check with dipstick and top up as necessary. Normally it is not necessary to top it off. Tell this to your mechanics. It is also evident that none of these people have the Manual or they do not read it.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4