engine oil level

This may sound stupid but I am at a loss here. Changed my oil and new filter on my 72B. Put 4 qts 20/50w in started motor. Checked oil level and dipstick shows over filled. Re-checked several times letting out almost 1 qt, to get to correct level on dipstick, max. I checked again later in the day and this morning, dipstick shows at max. Only 3 qts with filter? Manual says at least 8 1/2 pts. Any thoughts on this. Thanks, Bob

I had a similar experience with my '71. Reads low on mine - If you put in the recommended amount of oil, make a mental note of where it appears on the dipstick. I think there is a big enough range of acceptable volume for oil (low vs high) that won't hurt your engine - just check it periodically.

Thanks, Jim. Is the manual correct? Which is arount 4 plus qts?

Four quarts plus a little is usually what I need to get to full on the dipstick with a new filter.

Make sure your dipstick is not stopping short(!). The grommet on some can be slid down stopping the stick going all the way down. The end of the dipstick should be sitting on the bottom of the oil pan!

Which manual are you referring to? The Driver's Handbook calls for 7 1/4 US Pints with a filter change. Bentley's Pg. 40. Also, the Workshop Manual calls for 9 US Pints, not specifying if that's with a new filter or not. Bentley's Pg. 54.

If it's still a concern, I'd also suspect either the dipstick and/or dipstick tube being the problem. I don't know the history of your engine. Do you?

Ditto on the above.

With the engine FULLY warmed up, that is with the oil itself hot enough to be irritating to your skin, do a drain. Allow it to drain for at least five minutes. Then change the filter and clean up the mess.

Add three quarts of oil and let the engine idle for a few minutes before shutting down.

After five minutes of letting the cool oil drain into the sump check the level on the stick. Add more oil sparingly, perhaps a pint at a time until you get the "full" reading on the stick. Be sure to allow a few minutes between addings to allow the oil to drain down from the head into the sump.

Keep track of how much oil you put in and you will know pretty closely how much to replace the next time.

Earlier engines used a bit more than four quarts with a filter change and the later ones used about a quart less.

If you remove and drain the cooler and lines you can expect to toss in another three quarters of a quart or so.

The capacity from the bottom notch on the stick to the top notch is one Imperial Pint.

Jack

Mine does the same as his does and I haven't had any issues, if I put the specified amount in it reads as over the Max on the dipstick. I put in around 1/2 of the last quart and then slowly add it in after the car has been warmed up. The dipstick goes down all the way to the point it should as I check this alot. Of course right now mine doesn't gain oil since the tappet gaskets are leaking so that is a change.

I agree with all of you. In checking my dipstick it looks like the stop is correct. The actual dipstick bottom curves downward. Little friction putting it in and I do not hear it bottom out. This is an 18v 1972 engine. Could my NAPA filter be wrong? Oil not getting into the filter? Thanks, Bob

FWIW: Over filling the sump is a BAD thing.

The nastiest affect is that the oil pool sitting in the sump is smacked by the rotating crankshaft and is aerated. The resulting air bubble filled fluid is delivered through the engine, most immediately to the crankshaft. The problem is that air is not a particularly good lubricant and accelerated bearing wear occurs.

The smashing of the oil by the crank also takes horsepower that could otherwise be delivered to the drive axle. Result? Lowered performance and reduced fuel economy.

Lastly, of course is the leak issue. If the level is high enough, say for instance up to the bottom perimeter of the crank seals any tendency for the pressure within the crankcase to force oil by the seals will be amplified.

Racers sometimes use windage trays and gated baffles to keep the bulk of the sump oil down where it is supposed to be, but that isn't really necessary on street engines where high G forces are not encountered.

Jack

a041535 Wrote:

I believe the capacities are for how much oil is in the engine. There will always be some oil left in the engine after you drain the crankcase. I replaced the oil cooler hoses and put a filter adapter on my 64B this past wkend and there was a lot of oil in the hoses and in the cooler. Not a qt mind you but possibly a pint. All the passageways retain oil when the engine is off which is a good thing so that the bearings aren't dry everytime you start up.