Oil Change Question - Volume

[SuperG]

First, thanks to everyone who has helped me learn how to take care of my own car.

I changed the oil yesterday and added 4 quarts (1/2 directly into the oil filter) and the dip stick reads way more than full.

Upon draining the old oil, I let it drip for quite some time. I removed the cap and also allowed the oil to drip all over everything when I removed the filter (I had no idea THAT much oil would spill from there!).

I then ran the car for a little while and checked for leaking around the filter...none detected. Still over FULL.

What's happening?

The oil which drained was horribly black, hopefully from being overdue.

Finally, how do you clean oil off the driveway!

Thanks for the help!

 

[93EmeraldMTX]

you should be able to put more than 4 quarts in. I'm not sure why yous would only take 4. Were you on a level surface?

to clean oil off the driveway, get some of that kitty litter looking stuff (i forget the name right now) and put it over the oil, and then after it soaks the oil up throw it away. Sawdust might work as well.

 

[sdpatt]

Was the car on level ground? The SHO engines take about 5.5 quarts of oil with the FL-400S filter to indicate FULL on the dipstick. The oil level is to be checked only when the car is on level ground and the engine has been shut off for at least 10 minutes (after running). The dipstick is the only wy to tell if the crankcase is properly filled.

If you were only able to add 4 quarts to get the dipstick to FULL under those conditions, you must not have drained all of the old oil out. You should drain the oil only when when it is warm.

 

[pjtoledo]

You can get a little more old oil out if the front is elevated. With the front on 8" ramps I put a jack under the subframe and lift it another 4-6" and let it drain for 1/2 hr. It's probably only a couple of ounces at best, but hey, its dirty stuff so more is better. Back during the great oil capacity debate I carefully measured oil in an extra MTX pan. 5 1/2 qts will fit in the pan and still be below the windage tray.

Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[SuperG]

I drained the oil while the front end was a few inches higher than the tail (front on ramps on slightly sloped driveway). And the engine was warm when I drained it, so I probably needed to check the level after some cooling. Will check this afternoon before I head home...thanks!