Dipstick Issue?

[Sonic]

1995 GT (AODE) — After an oil change, the dipstick is reading well over full. I brought it back, and they drained and refilled it, but it’s still showing over full. Has anyone experienced this? I added 4.7 liters after draining, but the dipstick looks like it has about 8 liters in it. The car has also has started to stall when I put it in gear, especially when it’s warm.

Oil spec:

• SAE: 10W-30
• API: SL / SM / SN / SP
• ACEA: A3/B4

 

[gkomo]

Draining from both drain plugs correct?

 

[Sonic]

Are there 2 drain plugs?

 

[gkomo]

there should be the ‘main’ one in the rear of the oil pan on the bigger sump, then the other on is like right behind the sway bar on a smaller sump. Although unless you jacked the car up from the rear to change your oil I can’t see the front smaller sump holding that much oil. It usually only drains out like a 1/2 to 1 qt of oil depending on the angle of your car relative to the ground.

Or do I have this completely wrong and you’re talking about a transmission oil change?? You did mention 10w-30 so I’m assuming engine oil?

 

[WhiteCobra95]

When stuff like this happens, you have to go back to bare-bones basics. Sometimes this means developing a somewhat unconventional procedure and using a lot of extra oil to figure out what's happening. Here are some suggestions to try:

• Drain the oil from both pan sumps into an empty drain pan. Measure the volume of what's coming out, including what you dump from the oil filter. This should be just under 5 quarts, assuming a stock pan, based on what doesn't come out of the engine and filter and what oil residue stays behind in the drain pan.
• Add new oil until the dipstick indicates full. Run the engine until it warms up to normal operating temp. Take a quick low speed cruise around your neighborhood if necessary to get it fully warm. Check oil level and add as needed to reach full level.
• Make sure you're on a mostly level surface for checking the level. (Sorry - just trying to cover all bases here.)
• Let it sit over night, drain, and measure the volume again to confirm.
• Some like to drain the oil hot. I generally do it cold or just slightly warm after a short run to get her up on ramps. This is personal preference.
• When adding oil in situations like this, use the level from the dipstick as the guide - don't add a fixed volume. If it's not all draining out, you may only need to add about 4 to 4.5 quarts, especially if you don't replace the filter. A lot of oil change places just add a fixed volume and check it after the fact. If they go over, they're not going to tell you or drain more to settle it up.
• Verify that you have the correct dipstick and dipstick tube for your oil pan.

Good luck! There has to be a logical explanation for what you're going through.