Overfill of oil, problem?

[CoolC]

Since taking delivery of my shiny new Focus (1.6 diesel) in January. I noticed that the first time I checked the oil it was way over the top of the dipstick.

In the 5000 miles since then it seems to have used no oil at all, as it is still way over the top mark. (I've not added any)

Will this cause an issue? as I have been disappointed with the fuel consumption on this compared to my previous (1.6 diesel) Audi A3.

[HustleRussell]

If it's 'way over' i.e. more than a few millimeters over the 'MAX' mark on the dip stick, then it is a problem and it ought to be rectified.

[Mr2Mike]

Why didn't you inform the dealer when you discovered this rather than pressing on for another 5000 miles? Significant overfilling of oil is bad news.

[CoolC]

Mr2Mike said:

Why didn't you inform the dealer when you discovered this rather than pressing on for another 5000 miles? Significant overfilling of oil is bad news.

It's a company car, so the supplying dealer is the other end of the country to me, and as my drive slopes downwards I just put it down to dipstick position and car position at first. It was only when checking again on the flat I realised it was properly over.

I didn't think over filling was that bad though, more of a "best not to do it" rather than "make sure it never happens!!!"

I'm off work next week, so will ask at the local dealer to see what they say.

[SuperchargedVR6]

A few mm over max is fine in most engines.

If you look at the dipstick, the volume of oil between the min and max marks is usually 1 litre. Would you say the oil above the max mark is more, or less, than the chunk between min & max, if that makes sense?

If it's a litre or more over filled, I'd drain some off.

[Evoluzione]

If it's run like that for 5000 miles I'm sure it's ok, lets face it, if it wasn't you'd know all about it by now.

[lexusboy]

that sts fked

[cptsideways]

It might be overfilling with diesel!! Was a common issue on previous gen Mondeo/Mazda6 engines, overfills enough & you'll get a "diesel-runaway"

[anonymous-user]

When I raced my Esprit Engine I used to over fill it with oil, I calculated how much oil I could put in so the big ends did not splash in the oil at cold start (there's a word for that that escapes me now), and put 2 liter exra in, every one told me I would get problems with crank seals etc, my calculation was any pump action from the pistons presurized the air, and pushed down on the oil in the sump , providing the oil was not up to the seal there could be no leak at the back crank seal, and the running engine stored so much oil in the exhaust cam carrier that there was no real effect on the crank case pressure from overfilling, raced the car for two yeas and never had a problem (with 2 liters over the top) before I did this I had huge problem with oil starvation. I wouldn't worry about a bit over.

[davepoth]

I ran an MG with too much oil in it once. It burst the capillary on the oil pressure gauge but that was all. On a diesel I suppose you would be at a lot more risk of a runaway though, so probably best to get the level right.

[PaulKemp]

It's an easy fix, sump plug and a tray
The only problem with overfilling is the crank hitting the oil which can froth and reduce oil pressure and/or block breathers