Too much oil?

Since I had no classes and nothing else to do yesterday, I took my car to the local dealer to get an oil change. I have been doing it myself for the past year, but it was due for one and it's a 200 mile drive back home where I have access to a garage.

So anyway, when I got the invoice and the keys back I noticed it said the quantity for the oil was 6, assuming 6 quarts. What I've always read and have used myself was only 5 quarts. I figured they may just guestimate it anyway since it's the same price up to 5 quarts and they didn't charge me extra.

But it does not appear that way. Since it was dark last night after my drive to my apartment I did not care to look at it. Today I went to add my maintenance dose of Auto-Rx and took a look at the dipstick before hand. Oil seemed pretty high. Since it's fresh oil, I could not get a definite line (and this was before I drove it today), but it seems to be well beyond the hash marks. Anyway, I figured the oil may still need to drip down the dipstick tube. I added my Auto-Rx dose and took a nice drive out of town since it's a beautiful 50 degree day here.

Anyway, my question is if the dealership really did add an extra quart of oil, can this cause damage to the engine? I understand there can be headaches with foam preventing proper lubrication and whatnot, but how much extra oil would need to be in the engine for that to happen?

Based on the indication of 6 quarts used instead of 5 and this higher than usual dipstick readings would you take it back and ask for them to drain it and refill it properly or just let it go?

This is another one that will bring different answers. Some people will say that as you drive down the road, there is oil up in the engine so the extra oil is needed in the pan to lubricte the lower engine parts. Others will say that there is a windtray in the oil pan and the oil stays below it anyway, which means the oil will not really affect the crank or rods. Others will still say that any amount over the hash mark is too much. We have added 6 quarts to all our 4.6L engines at PM time since 92. We have had no engine failures due to extra oil. We also use 15W40 which according to all the oil experts is a no-no. But we have not experienced the timing chain failures that is reported by the outside shops. So it will be your call. If you have added anything to the oil, (and they drain it out) they couls have it analyzed. If so, you just condemned yourself. Good luck with whichever way you go.

Thanks alot for your response way2old, as always. I will probably let it go for now and see if I notice anything out of the ordinary. So far with about 60 miles on the new oil there has been no trouble so I'll let it go for now. This weekend when I am home I may try the hose-and-baster method to drain half a quart to a quart of oil if it still reads over the mark.

i would keep a eye on your valve covers to make sure they don't start leaking and also less oil is better than over full it could blow seals out. way to old is right on your main and rod bearings because there getting enough oil with it being over full. it it were me i would either change it again or let a quart drain out of it.

Good point Scrapper. I forgot about the possibility of a seal starting to leak. Glad you mentioned it.