5 Quarts oil way to much?

[happydog500]

I just changed my oil and filter. I put in 5 quarts. I check the oil (both then and after running) and it's way over the full mark. It goes all the way up to the twist in the stick, more then a full quart over.
My two manuals both say 5 quarts with a filter change. What happened?
I know it can look higher, but not. One side is a little misleading. I can tell where the oil is, and it's way to high.

How is 5 quarts with filter, way to much?

Thank you,
Chris.

[HotZ28]

Did you clean the dip-stick with a paper towel before checking?

[C man]

My manuel says 5qts also. Seems to be a debate on 4.5 qts or 5qts. I put 5qts in mine and its always dead on the full mark. I did an experiment by just putting 4qts in and checked the dipstick then put .5qt in and checked again still had to holes left. finished topping it it of and it filled the last 2 holes. Maybe its the dipstck. My oil dipstick has no twist in it though. My transmission dipstick does. The trans fluid was way over the full mark when I got it. Was concerned at first but 50k later and two pan drops, trans still smooth I don't care if its past the full mark.

[happydog500]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

Did you clean the dip-stick with a paper towel before checking?

Yes. Maked me scared to think how overfull it is.
If I put in 4.5Q, the way it is now, it would be overfull.
Chris.

[happydog500]

I went to the store, when I got back I thought I would check it before the oil drained back into the pan.
I took a picture. Here is what it looks like.
Chris.

[C man]

Interesting. 4.5qts should come up to the 3rd circle in the hatch area at least in my observations. 3.5qts of oil would be right under the hatch area.

[happydog500]

If you look at the left side of the picture, where it starts to curve, if I let it sit for a while, it will go up to that.
Picture is the lowest it gets.
I like stuff on my car to be right. This plays with my mind. Chris.

[HotZ28]

When you check the oil level, was the car sitting on level ground? My Series II engine calls for 4.5 qts with filter change, if I added an additional 1/2 qt, the dip-stick would look just like yours. Anyway, here is an enhanced picture of your dip-stick.

[C man]

I wonder a 2.2l ecotech engine has a 5qt sump and a 3.8l 3800 engine has a 4.5qt or 5qt sump variation, it seems. Any insight or thoughts on this.

[polarzak]

Is this the first time you changed your own oil? If not, how much did you normally put in and what was the dip stick reading then? 4.5 quarts to 5 shouldn't make a huge difference. Maybe they were Canadian quarts. LOL

[happydog500]

No, but I just realized something. I switched motors. This is out of a 96 Park Ave. Supposed to be the same motor. Maybe a early 97 (made in 96) is different then a 96 3.8?
Chris.

P.S. It shows I have a picture for my signature, but it doesn't show up. C man, how did you get yours to show up?

[Jrs3800]

Somewhere along the line the dip sticks changed position for the cross hatch area... Are you using the 96 Dip Stick?

When I swapped to a newer 3800 in my van I made sure to get the Dipstick with it so that I would know the proper level.. The Dip stick and Tube changed lengths somewhere along the line..

Generally you should be able to get away with running 5 quarts in a 3800.. General rule is 4.5 quarts... I have always run 5

[happydog500]

No, same dip stick that came with motor.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by happydog500

I switched motors. This is out of a 96 Park Ave.

Originally Posted by happydag500

same dip stick that came with motor.

I think you may have found your answer! '96 Series II engine calls for 4.5 qts with filter; so therefore, the dipstick & tube were designed to show full level with that amount. If I add 4 1/2 qts with filter, it shows the level as full. As previously mentioned, if I add an additional 1/2 qt (which I occasionally do) it will show the same as yours.

It’s no big deal if you add 5-qts, it will not harm anything. It could be that GM finally decided that most people would not add oil until the dipstick is showing a quart low; so in theory, if you are driving @ highway speeds with 3 1/2 qts in the engine, you have 2-qts circulating and only 1-qt in the pan. Now if you are driving @ beyond normal highway speeds, or on curvy roads, 1-qt in the pan could present a problem, hence the additional recommended ½ qt! Logical thinking!

[happydog500]

One thing tho. My 97 car manufacture date is 3/96. The new (used) motor I got was made in 96. What would be the difference in a 3.8 made in 96, and a 3.8 made in 96?
I read that the motors where "unchanged" from 96 to 97 (even tho my car was made, in march 96). The 96 Park Ave was made after my 97 Lesabre, with the motor being, "unchanged". What would of changed?
Chris.