What happens if too much engine oil is added to a diesel engine?
3 Answers
Excessive diesel engine oil can reduce engine power output. Below is relevant information about diesel: 1. Performance: Diesel is a light petroleum product and a complex mixture of hydrocarbons (carbon atoms approximately 10-22). It serves as fuel for compression-ignition engines (i.e., diesel engines). It is primarily blended from diesel fractions produced through processes such as crude oil distillation, catalytic cracking, thermal cracking, hydrocracking, and petroleum coking (requiring further refining and additive incorporation). Diesel can also be obtained via direct distillation or cracking of crude oil and shale oil. Depending on the properties of the crude oil, there are paraffinic diesel, naphthenic diesel, and naphthenic-aromatic diesel. 2. Applications: Due to the lower fuel consumption of high-speed diesel engines (50-75g/MJ) compared to gasoline engines (75-100g/MJ), large transport vehicles using diesel engines are increasingly common. Diesel is widely used in heavy-duty vehicles, railway locomotives, and marine vessels. Its primary use is as liquid fuel for diesel engines. With its low energy consumption and low-pollution environmental characteristics, diesel has led some small cars and even high-performance vehicles to switch to diesel fuel.
Adding too much diesel engine oil can cause serious trouble, as I personally experienced last time. While topping up my car's oil, I accidentally overfilled it due to a slip of the hand. Shortly after driving off, the car started emitting blue smoke, and the engine made a 'popping' sound, which scared me into pulling over immediately. A friend at the repair shop explained that excessive oil causes the crankshaft to agitate too violently, leading to foaming and reduced lubrication effectiveness. It can also cause oil seals to leak, dirtying the chassis, and even allow excess oil to enter the combustion chamber, producing harmful emissions. Prolonged overfilling accelerates engine component wear, resulting in costly repairs. Since then, I always use the dipstick to carefully check the oil level, ensuring it stays between the marked lines, and never lazily overfill to avoid roadside breakdowns and major overhauls.
When engine oil is overfilled, it can significantly affect the normal operation of a diesel engine. Excessive agitation of the oil can create air bubbles, greatly reducing lubrication effectiveness and increasing friction, which accelerates component wear. High oil pressure may also damage oil seals or gaskets, leading to leaks and environmental pollution. If oil enters the combustion chamber, it can produce blue smoke and damage the catalytic converter. I always remind myself not to overlook this issue—if I notice too much oil, I drain some immediately to maintain the optimal oil level. This simple step helps prevent serious engine damage, proving that even a small mistake can lead to major consequences.
