Too much oil??

[Eloi]

Hello,About 10 days ago, I went to my local GM dealer to have the oil changed on my 2009 Vibe for the very first time. Feeling confident that everything will be alright cause I was at the best place for my car, I didn't check the oil level until yesterday (after having driven more than 1000 km since the oil change). The thing is that the oil is way above the highest mark on the gauge (of course, the gauge has 2 marks, one for low, one for high). Could it be a problem? I always heard that having too much oil in an engine was worse than missing some. What do you guys think?Thanks.

[keithvibe]

did you check it when it was cold or hot? you need to check it when it's cold.If you think it's too much take it back and make them do it over.

[Eloi]

Yes, the engine was cold.

[ToolGuy]

This is odd, I mean was someone a beginner that changed your oil?I guess you should tell us how high above the highest mark is it? A quart or half a quart?

[NibCrom]

I would agree that too much is worse than too little. You might not need to panic yet, but I would inquire at the dealership before you drive it.

[Eloi]

No, the guy who did the job was fully experienced, the guy told me he even owns himself a 2004 Vibe. Maybe it was his first 2009 Vibe 2.4L though...Does the 1.8L engine needs more oil than the 2.4L? I'd say the oil mark on the gauge is close to 1 cm above the higher point.In any ways, I called the GM dealer and I'll go back tomorrow to make them correct their mistake.I noticed I drove about 1400 km with this "extra" oil. Hopefully it won't affect the engine in the long term...That sucks...

[ramenboy...]

Quote, originally posted by NibCrom »I would agree that too much is worse than too little.+1 definitely go get it checked out

[Eloi]

I'm back from the GM dealer. I had like 0.5 L over the limit, which is not tragic, but I'm glad that now I'm driving at the correct level.I would have thought they would jhave apologized more though...

[vhoward1122]

Actually, the proper way to check your oil is to drive your car until the temp gage says your engine is at normal operating temp. Then park and shut the engine off, wait three minutes, then check the oil. You will get a different reading than when it is cold, or hot and just shut it off.

[n2ho]

Seems like they don't care much about fluid levels in dealerships. I had to remove about 400cc of extra fluid from the transmission on my new 2007 Vibe! I couldn't believe my eyes, checked and rechecked several times and finally adjusted to the proper level. Just a shame...

[Fisher]

Just bought a new-to-me '09 2.4L and found the manual is wrong on the 4.5 quart capacity. It is too high and over the full mark as you describe. It is closer to 4 than 4.5 quarts. Some dealerships might even dial in a full 5 quarts putting it way over the mark.

[keithvibe]

there was an issue with the 03-08 1zz engines that the marks on the dipstick were set too low. So people were issued new dipsticks to show the correct level. why a massive recall wasn't issued for the problem is unknown to me.

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »there was an issue with the 03-08 1zz engines that the marks on the dipstick were set too low. So people were issued new dipsticks to show the correct level. why a massive recall wasn't issued for the problem is unknown to me.Link to the information?

[djkeev]

Keep in mind that I'd go with the quantity recommended by the manufacturer to put in. The dip stick is not at all to be depended upon 100%, it is a guide rather than a rock solid "must have". The tube can be too far in, not far enough in, the stick itself could be misassembled or damaged somehow. Put your 4.5 qts in and see what you've got. Run with that for that is the proper full mark on your engine. I'd even file a little mark on your engines proper full mark if a mark is a must have for you.Dave

[Fisher]

I think I trust the Nummi dipstick before I trust the GM manual.

[ParknVibe]

I just had my first oil change today. Only 2050 miles on a 10 month old 2009 2.4L Vibe. (I do not have much of a life. LOL)My dip stick had the original oil level at the top "dot" mark exactly for the past year when checked at cold. As I also fear, the new oil level is about a 3/8" above the top dot mark an hour after the change. The dealer did this, (this was a free oil change). The receipt states 5 qts. used (given). You would think that they would give you the last 1/2 qt. of oil for any future additional requirement if needing to top it off.

[Fisher]

If only 3/8" over the top dot, they probably put in the 4.5 quarts. That is about what I found at 4.5 quarts. They will always round up to the next quart when they charge you.

[ParknVibe]

Well the 3/8 inch above the top dot then when to 1/2 to 5/8 inch above the next day. I brough the car back to have it adjusted. Now it seems to stay at 3/16 inch below the top dot at cold.

[Herb]

The only concern about too much oil is that the crank can start whipping the oil, creating a foam. Which means you could have air bubbles in the oil as it's being pumped though the engine, and as we all know, air isn't a very effective lubricant.

[ParknVibe]

Quote, originally posted by Herb »The only concern about too much oil is that the crank can start whipping the oil, creating a foam. Which means you could have air bubbles in the oil as it's being pumped though the engine, and as we all know, air isn't a very effective lubricant.That's what I was concerned about. It will damage the engine. The manual also warns you of this.