What Happens If You Add Too Much Engine Oil?
2 Answers
Here are the impacts of excessive engine oil on a car: 1. During operation, various components of the engine will experience intense agitation. 2. It increases internal power loss in the engine, causing more oil to splash onto the cylinder walls, leading to oil burning and exhaust issues. 3. Excessive oil creates significant resistance for the high-speed rotating crankshaft and connecting rod mechanism, resulting in reduced power output. 4. More oil enters the combustion chamber, worsening exhaust emissions. In severe cases, it may cause damage or poisoning to the catalytic converter. 5. It increases fuel consumption and oil burning during vehicle operation.
I once overfilled the engine oil during an oil change – got carried away and poured too much in. After starting the engine, it made a loud humming noise with increased vibrations, and acceleration felt sluggish, as if the car was being dragged. My old mechanic friend explained that excess oil increases internal resistance, forcing the engine to work harder against added pressure, which not only reduces horsepower but also spikes fuel consumption. Worse yet, foamy oil loses lubrication efficiency, potentially causing long-term wear on bearings or piston rings. In severe cases, high oil pressure can damage seals, leading to costly and time-consuming oil leak repairs. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to regularly check the dipstick and only fill to the midpoint – the car runs much smoother now. Engine oil works best at the right level; overdoing it just creates headaches.
