Domindart

When I checked my oil for the first time today it read waay above the XXXX marks on the dipstick. What gives?

94z07fx3

What did it smell like?

Possible:

• Gas leaking into the crank case via injector or fpr.
  
• Coolant leaking past a head gasket. What does the coolant level look like?
  
• Someone put in too much oil.

Domindart

Coolant level is okay.. I dont think its gas but I didnt smell it.

Ill have to check again. If I cant figure it out Ill take it to the shop and have them look at it.

aboatguy

Those are the only way for a high oil level. Don't run your car with the oil level well above the full line. Figure out whether its just overfilled....coolant or fuel...seems like you ruled out coolant.....

floridamale

At the risk of sounding stupid did you wipe the dip stick and then try re-reading it

383vett

While we're at it, are you sure you've got the engine dipstick and not the tranny? Is the motor off? If so, I would just do an oil change, put in 5 quarts and keep an eye on the thing.

Pwnage1337

Unless you just had the oil changed at a jiffy lube, take it back and bitch at them, demand a refund, and a free candy bar.

tblt44

When I bought my car it was a quart overfull.The dealer never did an oil change,it was dark.
Ok for a year now all good.

Domindart

The car was warm, the engine was off. I waited to let it drain b ack into the oil pan. I think I waited long enough.

I whiped it and checked it.. looked kinda funny. I will check it again tonight, and try to take a picture.. it is dark out.

Domindart

I took two pics but cant uplaod due to computer difficulties. Ill get them up asap.

GT40_GearHead

i know you said the coolant level is fine but.... when you say the oil looked funny, did look something like coffee and milk ?

Domindart

No, the oil looks dark.

When i said funny I meant the way it covers the dipstick. It reads like normal all the way to the top of the XXX marks. Reads full. but then theres more oil covering the side of the dipstick above the XXX marks. As if there is access oil in the dipstick tube.

Im going to jack the car up and drain a bit of oil and see what happens.

Domindart

I just spoke w someone and they mentioned it may be access oil cause Im checking the oil just after it has been moving around in the engine thus the dipstick tube. Im goiong to check it cold and see how it reads

94z07fx3

While you're under the hood, take off the PCV valve and give it the rattle test. I'm not saying you have a problem but if excess oil is being pushed up the dipstick tube then the PCV valve may be the cause. And rattling yours costs you nothing.

jhammons01

Why mess around? Drain the oil pan....you can reach the plug even without jacking up the car. stick a pan under there and drain the oil out and then measure how much came out.

Maybe water drains first....I'm just guessing.....But I'd pull that oil out and then refill. Walmart sells 5 quart jugs of many types of oil for ~$12.....

mtwoolford

i had a similiar reading; my car set for a week...for some reason I checked the oil level before starting it. A leaking injector had completely filled the crankcase with gasoline.

drain your oil, determine what has diluted your oil.

DO NOT start your engine. if its gas the first thing you'll notice is a huge fireball followed by the intake manifold flying through the hood.

Domindart

Well I checked it cold and it was reading fine.

I have driven the car today. No explosion.

I never had excess oil in the dipstick tube when warm though, on my other cars. I will check the pcv valve. thnx

Domindart

having trouble finding pcv valve. Is it under the cover on the left side of the intake plenum? this is a 96 LT4

94z07fx3

I think it is in the same spot as the LT1 under the driver side fuel rail cover look for a U-shaped hose in the middle.

Domindart

I found the pcv valve... shake test and it rattled fine...

So anyone have any other ideas why the oil would be in the dipstick tube?