What are the effects of adding too much engine oil?

[CameronLee]

The effects of adding too much engine oil are: 1. Increased oil consumption; 2. Impact on engine power; 3. Accelerated carbon buildup, damaging certain car components; 4. Causing oil leakage from the crankshaft oil seal and shortening the oil's shelf life. The methods to deal with excessive engine oil are: 1. Remove the oil drain plug to release the oil; 2. Use an oil pump to extract the oil. The functions of engine oil are: 1. To separate the surfaces of relatively sliding parts, reducing wear and tear; 2. To carry heat back to the oil tank and dissipate it into the air, aiding the radiator in cooling the engine; 3. To carry carbon deposits, sludge, and worn metal particles back to the oil tank through circulation, cleaning the working surfaces of parts.

[DiPeyton]

A few days ago, I helped my neighbor check his car because he had added a bit too much oil during maintenance. This issue can range from minor to serious, with the biggest problem being increased engine operating resistance. The crankshaft stirring in the excess oil is like walking through a muddy swamp—it’s much harder work. You might notice the car feels sluggish during acceleration, and fuel consumption may rise. The mechanical parts churning the oil can also create foam, and when this aerated oil tries to lubricate the cylinders and bearings, its effectiveness drops significantly, leading to faster wear on metal components. Over time, the high oil pressure can force leaks in gaskets and seals. There’s also a risk of oil burning, resulting in blue smoke from the exhaust and potential damage to the catalytic converter. That’s why it’s crucial to check the dipstick after maintenance—if the oil level is above the maximum mark, some must be drained.

[VonKaleb]

I learned this the hard way last winter when I accidentally overfilled the engine oil by half a liter during an oil change. After a few days of driving, I noticed the throttle felt heavier, the engine sounded muffled during acceleration, and the fuel consumption showed an increase of 0.8 liters per 100 km compared to normal. A check at the repair shop revealed the issue was excess oil. The mechanic explained that the extra oil gets whipped into foam by the crankshaft, meaning the oil pump isn't delivering pure liquid oil anymore. To make matters worse, there was oil seepage at the seals and more noticeable metal friction sounds. The solution was to use a syringe with a tube to extract oil from the dipstick tube until it reached the midpoint. My advice: after an oil change, wait ten minutes on level ground before checking the dipstick, but the safest bet is to let a professional handle it.

[TannerLynn]

Excessive engine oil primarily causes three mechanical issues: First, the crankshaft's movement resistance drastically increases, akin to swinging a wooden stick in water, resulting in approximately 3-5% engine power loss. Second, air bubble contamination reduces lubrication efficiency, causing abnormal wear on camshafts and bearings. Third, elevated oil pressure forces oil into the combustion chamber, producing blue exhaust smoke while corroding the catalytic converter. The proper oil level should be at the middle of the dipstick's crosshatched area - any level exceeding the upper limit by 1cm requires attention. For temporary remedy, use a large syringe to extract oil through the dipstick tube, remeasuring after every 100ml extraction. Chronic overfilling will shorten engine lifespan - never ignore this condition.