What happens if Engine oil is overfilled

Is your car oil leaking? Is it leaving clouds of dense white air? If that is the case, then you may have overfilled the engine oil. It is one of the most common, regular check-up task that many perform themselves, while some believe that only a mechanic can do it safely. However, in both cases, there are chances of human error.

What happens if engine oil is overfilled? Is that the first question that came to your mind? Well, in this write-up, we will go through every important detail from why changing engine oil regularly is vital for your engine’s health to how to avoid overfilling oil in your car engine. Moreover, we will also discuss how to revert the process to save up the costs of repairs.

Why engine oil is vital, and how much does your car need?

A car engine is made from multiple-precision components that work unanimously to provide you a smooth drive. Just like a human brain needs the energy to keep working, car engines also need fuel to keep it running, avoid wear and tear and keep the movement smooth.

The main purpose of oil is to lubricate the car’s engine effectively to run without breaking. Well, if you are wondering how much oil does your car need, it depends on the make, model, and year of the vehicle you own.

However, generally, a four-cylinder engine needs around 4.5 liters of oil. Similarly, a six-cylinder engine requires 5.5 liters, and an eight-cylinder engine needs between 4.5 to 7.5 liters. Moreover, if you want to find the exact amount, you can always refer to your owner’s manual and get the information out without any delays.

Moreover, when you are topping up oil or getting it changed, be sure to fill in the correct way. If you overfill it in case, immediately remove the excessive oil. Otherwise, you may throw yourself into bigger problems.

How to know if you have or haven’t exceeded the oil limit?

It is simple to check if you have filled the right amount. All you have to do is check it from the dipstick. A dipstick is a measuring rod to estimate the depth of oil in the vehicle.

If you don’t know where it is in your car, then see if you have a front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel drive. If you have a rear-wheel drive, then you will find it on the passenger side of the engine compartment, and if you’ve got a front-wheel drive, you’ll find it on the driver’s side.

When you hold a dipstick in your hand, you will see two markings; each represents low and high. Dip it into the oil panel and check how wet is the dipstick. If it is below the low level, then increase the amount and if it is above the high level, then immediately decrease the amount.

What will happen if you fill your engine with excessive oil?

Less oil is damaging for your engine. Similarly, overfilling engine oil can also lead to potential damages and high repair costs. Here are some of the damages that excess oil can cause. One of the major complications it can do is put unnecessary pressure on crankshaft heads and tails. It can lead to leaks. If the leak happens on the end shaft of the flywheel, the oil can get contaminated and may severely damage your clutches.

Moreover, it can damage the crankshaft and crane by creating friction. Apart from that, engine wear, engine damage, and spark plug fouling can also happen if you are not vigilant with the oil measurement.

To know what happens if engine oil is overfilled and what may it costs if you put excess oil in the filter, keep reading the article. 

What to do if you put excess oil?

If you somehow add extra liters of oil in your engine, then decrease it. If you know how to do it by yourself, do it. However, if not, then tow your car to the nearest mechanic and get it done. The reason we are recommending towing is, driving with excess oil can further damage your car. It is better not to risk if you don’t wish to pay for expensive repairs.

Well, if the situation doesn’t allow you to tow your car to the mechanic, nor you know how to do it, then we recommend change the oil. Changing oil is easier than letting oil leak through the crankshaft. All you have to do is, remove the oil drain plug and let the oil pass through. Check thoroughly that there is no oil left. Once you are sure, refill the oil while keeping eye on the dipstick measurement.