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Engine oil level above the MAX

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25K views 38 replies 15 participants last post by  farfromovin  
#1 ·
My car has 5000 miles on it. Initially (car has only 200 miles) I noticed that the coolant level was below the MIN mark (cold engine). The dealership topped it off. After 4000 miles I noticed again that coolant level was dropped again below MIN mark (cold engine). I took the car to the dealership again, they did pressure test and did not find anything abnormal. They topped it off again. I am wondering where so the coolant leaked to. Now today I was checking the engine oil, I noticed that it is above the MAX, I can swear that it on on MAX a couple of weeks ago. Now I am wondering where did the extra oil came from. Other than that the car running smoothy with no other issues.
 
#2 ·
Two things going on:
  1. It's common with new cars that they don't "burp" the coolant system and some air voids fill with coolant as the engine runs longer, making it appear that you have less coolant. It will likely stabilize after a couple thousand miles.
  2. Oil expands when warm, increasing the apparent fill level. Try checking it cold, bearing in mind outside temperatures can affect it a little, too.
 
#7 ·
I was going to say this. They did a horrible job with the dipstick placement. I have to let it sit a solid 15-20 minutes to get a good reading, otherwise it will look way overfilled every time.
 
#8 ·
Olivia,

The correct way to check your oil level at the dipstick is to leave it overnight, remove the dipstick, clean it off, insert fully into the tube then remove again and check the level.

This should give you an accurate reading. Of course, this is provided your JGC is parked on level ground ;)!
 
#9 · (Edited)
That method doesn't work for me, I kept getting over MAX readings as pulling it out would drag oil up the tube, then when you reinsert after being wiped it was collecting oil off the side of the tube and showing at being over the MAX level.

As someone posted in the Diesel dipstick reading thread:
And that would work well if the 3.0l JGC arrangement didn't drag oil up the dipstick tube to foul the reading when re-inserting the dipstick.

For consistant readings, do as described previously in this thread; lift the dipstick only 20mm to crack the seal and release the air lock, reinsert then withdraw fully to read.

That method works for me.
 
#10 ·
And me!
I was getting inconsistent readings till I read that, and now get the consistency one would expect!

Cya
 
#11 ·
Hmm, not sure about that method of reading the dipstick. Generally you want a HOT engine which has sat 1/2 hour or so to make sure all the oil dripped into the pan. Pull out the dipstick (slowly), wipe off, insert slowly until it bottoms out, and then pull it out again (slowly). There might be a bit of "splash" here and there, but you can clearly see the oil level and check it against the markings.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Have you tried that on the diesel? In my MY14 if I do that the oil gets dragged up the tube on the first pull out, then after wiping the stick and putting back in the tube, the oil that was pulled up the tube gets picked up and gathers around the thick part of the stick and then drips down onto the markings. It looks like the level is 2 inches over MAX.

But do the other method that avoids collecting the oil dragged up the tube and I get an accurate reading.

Unless there is something different about the dipstick on the US diesel compared to the export.
 
#15 ·
Y'all are making this so unnecessarily complicated.........

Just leave it overnight, slowly remove the dipstick, clean it, reinsert it and remove again. THAT will give you a proper reading. EVERY TIME!

FYI - 7k miles on current oil change and my level is about 1/8'' under the MAX mark :thumbsup:. No oil added......
 
#16 ·
Just leave it overnight, slowly remove the dipstick, clean it, reinsert it and remove again. THAT will give you a proper reading. EVERY TIME!
I don't think that will be accurate since you are reading the level on a cold engine. Oil should be *hot* but car should be sitting for a little while to let the oil drain down to the crank case. Don't know how much of a difference it will make but on some cars it it a big discrepancy.
 
#17 · (Edited)
So I just looked in the manual, and I have to disagree with...myself. According to the Diesel Supplement:

"To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight.
When checking oil after operating the
engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating temperature,
then wait for five minutes after engine shutdown
to check the oil."

So not much difference for hot vs. cold oil.
 
#21 ·
My dipstick is exactly the same as yours. Note that you WILL get smears on the upper thicker part but the level on the flat blade will be your true level.

I check mine every week, using the method I outlined and experienced no issues at all. HOWEVER, one caveat here on any high levels showing on your dipstick. When changing oil, you MUST allow the oil to drain for at least 30 minutes, also ensuring that the oil in the oil filter housing has also fully drained out. I do my own oil changes so I am definitely NOT on the clock and can wait until all the oil has drained out.

There are folks on here that discovered higher levels showing on their dipsticks and it is usually due to whomever did the job not fully draining the oil oil from the crankcase.
 
#23 ·
Here's what someone previously posted:
quote
Right, so maybe another method is pull out the dipstick, wipe it and leave it on the bench for ~30 mins (to give the oil dragged up the tube time to settle back to the bottom). Then stick the dipstick in gently, pull out and read it.
unquote

The "tried and true" method as I posted, works every time......:thumbsup:
 
#24 ·
I to have problems with readings, and leaving it lay for 30 is usually the best plan... Also on my dipstick is says stamped on the stick to check with oil at 100 deg F,so that doesn't mean leting it sit overnight especially in a cold climate.
Mine usually checks right on to down 1/8 after 5000 miles......:)
 
#25 ·
This is really frustrating, something so simple and important and it's hard to get an accurate reading. For example. After the Jeep sits overnight I check the oil level before our 4000 mile trip. When I pulled out the dipstick it was at a Minimum. So I clean it reinsert it and it's at Max. I try some other methods and it's coated at or above Max. I believe the initial (Min) check because all the oil has settled back into the engine and sat overnight. So I added a little oil supposily get it above min and below max. Of course I can't check it because when I do I get the same reading at max. It didn't even register the oil I added. Just got back from the trip let it sit over night. I checked it and it's at minimum. I check it again and it's at Max. This is BS. I can't get an accurate reading. I have to believe when it sits overnight and then I check it, it's accurate. So I'm going to add some Oil. Can anyone help me with this please. It's so important to be on top of the oil level. Mike
 
#26 ·
The problem is that oil won't rise up into the dipstick tube until you break the seal. So let the Jeep sit for a while, pop the stick up an inch or so - enough to break the seal, then gently push it back in, let it sit for a sec and pull it out. Read level.

That reading should be repeatable, though you have to be wary of oil pulled up into the tube the first time you removed it.

I've had good success using that method.
 
#29 ·
The only way I get a clean clear reading on the engine oil dipstick is to leave overnight and check in the morning when the engine is cold. If I pull slowly and then reinsert the dipstick shows oil all over the flat piece at the bottom. But checking on first pull after sitting overnight gives a good clean reading. I now have over 10,000 kms. and have added about one litre of oil to keep above the minimum level. I initially changed the oil at 4,000 kms. and used Mobil 1 ESP 5-30W oil and a Mopar oil filter. My understanding is diesel engines burn oil while being 'broken in' and that this level of oil consumption is normal. This is my first diesel and the first vehicle - auto, truck, motorcycle, boat etc. that I have owned that has burned/have to add oil between oil changes, so I am a bit concerned about the actual oil consumption. Is this normal, what are others seeing as regards oil consumption on their diesels and does it stop/reduce with final break in. I have also read that some diesels take 10,000 miles to be finally broken in?
 
#31 · (Edited)
Look at my earlier post on checking the oil level. Let it sit for a decent period, (overnight is good) then just carefully crack the O ring seal on the dipstick, no more than that, (it's only a few mm) then reinsert to the bottom and withdraw, and you will get a correct and consistent reading. It's not difficult, just do it like that and the reading will be consistent AND correct.

However, using a little during the running in period is 100% normal.
Virtually all engines will do that, petrol OR diesel.
Your oil consumption should settle down after that.
(Toyota were telling people that 1 litre per thousand Kay's was Ok on their 200 series V8's! What a crock!)

I added about maybe 3/4 of a litre at 4,000klm or so, and haven't added a drop since.:thumbsup:

Cya
David
 
#30 ·
SeaBee, this is really frustrating to me. Something that should be simple has added complexity to it. You better make sure you get the correct reading so you don't overfill. I used to wait over night and I always got a minimum reading so I would add some oil. But every morning it will still read minimum. Then someone on this website talked about cracking the seal just a bit reinsert then take the reading. So I waited to overnight to keep the conditions the same and expected when I read the dip stick it would be at minimum. So I crack the seal just about 1/8 of an inch placed the stick back in and got a reading at MAX. I did this a few times over the next few days and got max. When I don't crack the seal I get MIN. So make sure you crack the seal a bit to get your measurement. I guess cracking the seal allows the oil to flow up the stick. I hope that is getting me an accurate reading. Like I said, I think this is ridiculous to have to go through that to hopefully get an accurate reading.
 
#32 ·
Well I am at a loss. Tried the overnight and first pull shows min. then slowly reinsert and gently pull out and oil all the way up the dipstick. So, try leaving the dipstick out for an hour, gently insert past the 0 ring seal and very slowly pull out, oil all over the dipstick again. That cannot be correct - I changed oil with the proper amount for an oil and filter change. I added about 1/3 of a litre and then as the oil kept showing min. another half and then the rest of the can. So I have added about 1 and 1/3 litre of oil since my oil change at 4000 kms. and I now have over 10,000 kms. If the difference between the min and max is a litre then even if it has not burned any oil it should be showing just over the max mark?
It seems impossible to get a correct reading, I'm going to try again with the dipstick sitting out of the engine and fully cleaned. If it reads all over again I'll try removing about a litre of oil (thank goodness I fitted the Fumoto valve), and then try reading once again.
It seems ridiculous that you cannot take a reading - perhaps a coat hangar measured and marked the same as the dipstick would allow insertion without the seal vacuum issue and the thick spring which seems to always have oil on it - perhaps a better reading - any other thoughts on this perplexing and frustrating key maintenance issue?
 
#33 ·
Okay, finally success! Drained about 1 and 1/3 litres of oil from the engine using the Fumoto valve - so easy!!
Waited a while and checked the oil level and it shows just under maximum. With the false readings I had added oil and probably had about a litre too much so it was showing up into the spring part of the dipstick, thankfully I had not driven very far with too much oil. My other concern about the level of oil burning is now also a mute issue, as it hasn't burned any..
Some times I guess it pays off to neglect your vehicle and not fastidiously check the engine oil level!
The dipstick requirements to get an accurate reading should be required reading for anyone who has never had a diesel before as I have never had a problem in 50 years of driving, reading a dipstick!
 
#34 ·
I think you're not alone SeaBee, many will find this confusing, and probably add oil which does NOT need to be added.
Once upon a time, dipsticks didn't have O rings, and this problem would never have arisen, period. All the emissions controls these days have made an O ring essential, thus making an airlock happen which will give false readings in many situations.
Of course many people just won't lift the hood and won't check the oil, so won't encounter this, LOL.

For the uninitiated, and just to bring this to the top, I would suggest:

1. Don't add oil just because the dip stick says minimum on your first look.
The oil needs to drain from the top of the engine for a while after shutdown (overnight is ideal), and incorrect readings are likely if you don't do as follows.

2. Any airlock on the dipstick needs to be eliminated- I usually lift the dipstick JUST enough to break the O ring seal, then walk away for a while, (not essential, but again overnight is the perfect option, so if your car is parked in a garage, lift the dipstick slightly in the evening and check first thing next morning.)

3. Finally, gently reinsert the dipstick and withdraw: you will get a consistent and correct oil level.

Obviously this could have been designed a bit better but once you know the solution, it's easy.
Cya
 
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#36 ·
I can't believe there is nothing on this in the owners manual! I wonder about getting rid of the O-ring? So more folks weigh in on that option. Would it set off any code. I don't think so. Has anyone done it? If they change the oil at the dealership how do they check the oil and decide if it's at the correct level. Checked my level yesterday after it sat all night but didn't break the seal. Reading was minimum. Did it today after it sat all night. I broke the seal waited about 10 seconds and checked it. It was at Max. Mystery solved by the folks on this forum. I still think this is crazy. If the oil seal is removed and with the diesel being high compression, will it spray oil all over the place?
 
#37 ·
If you remove your oil fill cap, the PCV system will splatter oil all over your engine cover. While I doubt the dipstick hole would splatter any oil, I'd be really surprised if it didn't throw a code with that o-ring missing.
 
#38 ·
Agreed 100%!

What's so hard about lifting the dipstick slightly to break the seal, really dead easy once you know what to do.

I for one am certainly not recommending removing the O ring.
It might solve one (minor) problem, but more than likely create another.

Cya