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Damage from dealer overfilling oil?


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Just a quick question for those in the know:

 

Ever since I got my OBW in '99, I've noticed that when I get my oil changed, the dealers have a nasty tendency to overfill the oil by a noticeable amount (like about 1/2" higher on the dipstick.) Now, I haven't studied anything automotive since I took shop class in Jr. High in the 70's, but I've always beleived that overfilling the oil is bad because it puts excessive pressure on the seals in the engine.

 

Does anyone know if this is true and/or if the Subaru F-4 is more or less vulnerable to damage under these circumstances?

 

The reason I ask is because every dealer I've been to except one does this (the one exception is Hueberger Subaru in Colorado Springs.) It always leaves a bad taste in my mouth since, to me, it indicates either ignorance, laziness or just sloppiness (and in the past, I've even told the ticket writer to make sure the oil isn't overfilled, but to no avail.)

 

I'll be due for an oil change this month, and there's a local dealer in town. But, since they've overfilled my oil twice (and once they failed to completely tighten the drain bolt, which left a class II leak that I only noticed, thank God, because it was very snowy and icy and every time I parked there were a few oil drips under the car), I won't be taking it to them.

 

Still, I really don't think I'm going to drive 440 miles round trip to Colorado Springs, either, which means I'll be going to a dealer in Cheyenne or Fort Collins, neither of which I have any experience in using.

 

So tell me, am I making too big a deal out of this? Is a little excess oil okay in these engines?

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I've taken my car back for just the same problem. Check it before you leave the dealership and make them drain and refill. After a couple of times doing this to them they'll probably catch on ie wasted oil, wasted time, zero profit... even a dumb dog catches on after you kick it a few times (I've never kicked a dog but I have thought of kicking a service manager or two).

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I had this issue when I took my mom's 96 OBS in. I refused to leave until they made it the proper level... which they did, they even washed the car if I remember right...

 

I would say DIY, but sometimes you just cant... the garage is full and its too nasty outside, you live in an apartment and you will get kicked out if "the man" catches you working on the car in the parking lot...

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Just a quick question for those in the know:

 

Ever since I got my OBW in '99, I've noticed that when I get my oil changed, the dealers have a nasty tendency to overfill the oil by a noticeable amount (like about 1/2" higher on the dipstick.) Now, I haven't studied anything automotive since I took shop class in Jr. High in the 70's, but I've always beleived that overfilling the oil is bad because it puts excessive pressure on the seals in the engine.

 

Does anyone know if this is true and/or if the Subaru F-4 is more or less vulnerable to damage under these circumstances?

 

The reason I ask is because every dealer I've been to except one does this (the one exception is Hueberger Subaru in Colorado Springs.) It always leaves a bad taste in my mouth since, to me, it indicates either ignorance, laziness or just sloppiness (and in the past, I've even told the ticket writer to make sure the oil isn't overfilled, but to no avail.)

 

I'll be due for an oil change this month, and there's a local dealer in town. But, since they've overfilled my oil twice (and once they failed to completely tighten the drain bolt, which left a class II leak that I only noticed, thank God, because it was very snowy and icy and every time I parked there were a few oil drips under the car), I won't be taking it to them.

 

Still, I really don't think I'm going to drive 440 miles round trip to Colorado Springs, either, which means I'll be going to a dealer in Cheyenne or Fort Collins, neither of which I have any experience in using.

 

So tell me, am I making too big a deal out of this? Is a little excess oil okay in these engines?

 

I'm surprised to hear others with this problem. I had a sticky situation with the local dealer. I noticed an oil smell after I left the dealer. Come to find out a couple of vent hoses were unattached. I was wondering if they blew off from extra oil pressure. I wound up draining the excessive oil myself. Funny enough I recevied a call from SOA this morning asking about my experience at the dealer. Needless to say the dealer didn't get a high rating. I'll be curious to see if I get a response.

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The reason I ask is because every dealer I've been to except one does this (the one exception is Hueberger Subaru in Colorado Springs.)

 

At least that gives me more confidence since I'm bringing my car to Hueberger Subaru for it's first oil change next week. I bought the lifetime oil change plan from them since I'm too paranoid to mess things up myself and I don't trust those quickie lube places. Good luck with your dilemna!

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I find myself constantly overfilling as I can't get a consistant oil level reading. This seems to be true for both Subarus I've owned (90 legacy fwd, and current Impreza 1.8L). I always do it on a level surface, cold engine temp etc, and I always seem to get wildly different readings. Anyone else had this problem?

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I find myself constantly overfilling as I can't get a consistant oil level reading. This seems to be true for both Subarus I've owned (90 legacy fwd, and current Impreza 1.8L). I always do it on a level surface, cold engine temp etc, and I always seem to get wildly different readings. Anyone else had this problem?

 

Yep, sure do. I've had to check the oil upto 5 times right in a row before... :rolleyes: Whipe it off good. Pivot it 180 degrees. That helps sometimes. It doesnt have to be perfect; a hair over is better than a hair under :)

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