Oil Level Reading???

[Marauderjack]

I have changed my oil many times and almost always end up over filling it by about 1/4"!!!:argue:

Last Saturday I "Snuk Up On It" and it landed right on "Full" with the oil warm after sitting (in the same spot I always check it) 30 minutes.:beer:

Now after the oil cools down completely my "Full" reading warm becomes 1/4" below full.....I guess because of the volumetric expansion of a warm fluid??:confused:

Not a big deal since plus or minus 1/2" won't hurt anything but I've never been able to figure out exactly how many quarts it holds??:confused: I think it was 6 and a fraction this time??:cool:

STUPID DIP STICK!!!:argue:

Marauderjack:rasta:

[hbarrett]

My dealer puts in 6 1/2 quarts when changing my oil.
I have changed my oil many times and almost always end up over filling it by about 1/4"!!!:argue:

Last Saturday I "Snuk Up On It" and it landed right on "Full" with the oil warm after sitting (in the same spot I always check it) 30 minutes.:beer:

Now after the oil cools down completely my "Full" reading warm becomes 1/4" below full.....I guess because of the volumetric expansion of a warm fluid??:confused:

Not a big deal since plus or minus 1/2" won't hurt anything but I've never been able to figure out exactly how many quarts it holds??:confused: I think it was 6 and a fraction this time??:cool:

STUPID DIP STICK!!!:argue:

Marauderjack:rasta:

[RF Overlord]

I put in just shy of 6 quarts...like 5 and 7/8...and my level sits right on the full mark.

Here's what the owner's manual has to say:

"If the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks, the oil level is acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL.

Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician."

IMHO, since anywhere between the MAX and MIN marks is considered "safe", and the manual specifically warns against overfilling, I think it's better to be slightly under than slightly over...

[2003DOHC]

6 quarts puts mine right on the full mark.

[O's Fan Rich]

I have changed my oil many times and almost always end up over filling it by about 1/4"!!!:argue:

Last Saturday I "Snuk Up On It" and it landed right on "Full" with the oil warm after sitting (in the same spot I always check it) 30 minutes.:beer:

Now after the oil cools down completely my "Full" reading warm becomes 1/4" below full.....I guess because of the volumetric expansion of a warm fluid??:confused:

Not a big deal since plus or minus 1/2" won't hurt anything but I've never been able to figure out exactly how many quarts it holds??:confused: I think it was 6 and a fraction this time??:cool:

STUPID DIP STICK!!!:argue:


Marauderjack:rasta:


Jack, you've also got 48" remote oil filter hoses to fill. Right?

[greggash]

My car takes 6 1/2 quarts

The proper technique for cheking the oil is in the book.
Run it get it warm, shut off wait a few minutes (not 30, like 3)

Then check your oil.... This allows some oil to be up in those huge 4 valve heads while your checking the level.

If I check it cold, then the oil level is a 1/2 inch above the max mark, and I know it is not over full, the oil is not to be checked for level cold.

6 quarts is ok, 6 1/2 is correct if you check it warm.
anything less than 6 quarts is not enough


My dealer used to put in 7 quarts, I no longer use them for oil changes.

[hbarrett]

I have been told by two Merc dealers service techs that the aluminum block 4.6L holds more oil than the cast iron block. The 6 1/2 quarts seems OK when I check it warm, but I will check it again. Thanks
I put in just shy of 6 quarts...like 5 and 7/8...and my level sits right on the full mark.

Here's what the owner's manual has to say:

"If the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks, the oil level is acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL.

Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician."

IMHO, since anywhere between the MAX and MIN marks is considered "safe", and the manual specifically warns against overfilling, I think it's better to be slightly under than slightly over...

[Blackened300a]

Normaly I put 6 quarts in, Start the car, I check the oil again and its in the middle of the min/max mark, I then add a 1/2 quart and its done

[Marauderjack]

Yep Rich...

Hoses hold some but once they are full it should make little difference since they don't drain completely...I THINK??:confused:

Every 4.6 I've had before never had the different reading between....Hot(3 minutes).....Warm(30 minutes).....Cold?? They were Iron blocks and I guess that accounts for the difference??:shake:

It's not a big deal but I never like to see it over full on the stick!!:cool:

STUPID DIPSTICK!!!:argue:

Marauderjack:D