What to Do If Engine Oil is Filled Above the Dipstick?
2 Answers
Solutions for engine oil filled above the dipstick: First, find a syringe and the tubing typically used for IV drips. Then, insert it into the dipstick hole and start extracting the oil. However, this method can be quite labor-intensive. If you can't find the tools for this approach, you can also use a shampoo bottle as an alternative. If too much engine oil is added, it may lead to oil burning. This happens because excessive oil increases pressure, causing more oil to be sprayed through the piston rings and more oil vapor to be forced through the crankcase ventilation system. This increases the pressure on the oil separator, leading to incomplete separation and allowing a significant amount of oil to enter the throttle body through the breather tube, where it gets burned again, resulting in oil burning.
If the engine oil is filled above the dipstick mark—I made this mistake when learning to drive in my youth, too nervous! Excessive oil increases internal engine pressure, hindering smooth piston movement, and over time may cause blue smoke or damage crankshaft seals, leading to costly repairs. Step one: Do not start the car immediately; let it cool down. Use the dipstick to repeatedly measure and confirm the oil level exceeds the mark. If it's just slightly overfilled, you can handle it yourself: Use a regular syringe or a dedicated oil extraction tool to slowly draw out the excess oil from the dipstick tube, or loosen the oil pan drain plug to let a little out before tightening it immediately. After handling, recheck the oil level to ensure it falls within the proper range (the middle mark on the dipstick). Wear gloves to prevent splashes when extracting oil, and do it steadily over multiple attempts. When refilling oil in the future, pay attention to the measuring cup marks—don’t rely solely on the oil warning light. Develop a habit of checking the oil level monthly to avoid trouble.
