Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2014 17:33:50 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil over fill concern
In-Reply-To: <5AFC1454-DEB4-40E7-9430-82C6EBDE3C32@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
I would call the shop and ask if they put all the oil in. Now before you get
too worked up it is possible to get false readings especially in cold
weather although usually the error will result in a lower than actual
reading.
Was the van parked on a level parking surface both side to side and front
rear?
Was the engine started at all before checking the oil level? If so was
allowed to run until warmed up? Not just the water temp. Did it actually get
to warm up? And then after that was it shut down for at 5 minutes so the oil
can drain down?
With cold thick oil, it is possible for the oil to collect between the rear
of the engine case and accumulate near the cam gear. This is also where the
dip stick. This will give a false high reading. Run a bit longer and the oil
will collect in the heads and stick to the top of the case providing a false
low reading.
If the shop did put in the 6 quarts of oil I would have to question all
their capabilities.
The usual damage from an overfilled crankcase incudes the catalytic
converter and O2 sensor. Oil over heating and mixing can force oil past
the seals. This can also cause excessive oil heating, foaming, and the
related loss of oil pressure. The excess oil can foul the piston rings. In
the extreme since these engines have horizontal cylinders the bores can fill
with oil pushing past the rings and hydraulically lock an engine up, (can't
compress oil). The busted pistons and bent rods will let you know.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Eric Caron
Sent: Saturday, February 01, 2014 2:58 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil over fill concern
Hi listers,
Just before the snow and freezing temperatures set in I got my car
back from the local independent mechanic specializing in VW and other
foreign cars. We drove it the 10 miles home and I have not had friends with
eyes to check over it. On my own I noticed a few things that made me
concerned about his work.
Today I asked my girlfriend to be my eyes and look at the oil level.
To my surprise and fear she said the oil was way above the second line. She
said it was above the twist in the dip stick that holds the line.
Can anyone tell me if I have likely done damage to my 1.9 with 140,000 miles
by driving it the 10 miles? And any idea how much oil I need to drain out?
I gave him a unopened case of 6 mobile 1 and my fear is he put in all 6! He
didn't leave any unused in the car.
I'm also terrified as he changed the gear oil and the transmission fluid and
I don't even know how
to check the gear oil. I will need to drain some engine oil before I can
run the car long enough to check it.
Suggestions greatly appreciated
Eric Caron
85 GL Westy Auto
