Forester Gump Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Did my first oil change on our 07 Forester (our first Subaru). The oil level reads above the notch and just onto the twist on the stick. Should I drain some out or is a little over full OK? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnlyfnd Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Overfill is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Overfill is bad. why is it bad? over lubrication? Or the oil can burst? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark-O-Back Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 To get a good reading on the dip-stick make sure your Forester is level. Then I've found that you take the oil filler cap off first then pull the stick, wipe it and then check for the oil level. Oh yeah you have to run the engine to fill the filter before the first oil level check. Try it. ~ Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericem Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 To get a good reading on the dip-stick make sure your Forester is level. Then I've found that you take the oil filler cap off first then pull the stick, wipe it and then check for the oil level.Oh yeah you have to run the engine to fill the filter before the first oil level check. Try it. ~ Mark but u dont check the oil with the engine on correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark-O-Back Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 but u dont check the oil with the engine on correct? Oh no, engine off. Let it sit a little while, engine off, then check as I outlined. Also the little oilcan icon on the stick should be right side up as viewed from the front of the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnlyfnd Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The crank/pushrods...or something, will sluash around in the overfilled oil. Something like that anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smpol19 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Yeah a large amount of overfill can cause the oil to turn to a foam which doesn't lubricate too well. Though as others have said make sure the car is level and has been run recently, though not right after you shut it off. You can get real strange readings real eaesily with these engines. I usualy check after I've pumped my gas, oil is warm, gas stations are always flat, and its hade 3 or 4 minutes to settle down to the sump while i pumped my gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Yeah a large amount of overfill can cause the oil to turn to a foam which doesn't lubricate too well. We have a winner foam is air, air does not lubricate, engine goes bye bye. And thats how noah got a really cool JDM engine in his car.:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 after doing an oil change the oil may read high due to the fact that the oil filter isn't completely saturated and full yet. so don't assume it's full just because it reads high on the stick. it should be the oil filters capacity past the full mark. if you had it at "exactly" the full mark, it will read low once the system is primed and the oil filter and passages are once again saturated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rverdoold Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 An overfill will reduce the working of the oilsprays underneath the pistons, during each down movement of the piston a jet of oil is sprayed into the bottom of the piston. If there is to much oil in the engine there is oil on top of the jet and the spray is reduced. This jet cools the piston and connection rod. Foaming of oil happens when it is under extreme pressure this occurs when the piston moves down and has to move a lot of oil. So overfilling is bad, they did not put a mark on the dipstick without any purpose. To remove the excess oil use a small hose that fits in the dipstick pipe but it has to be quite hot in order to make it possible to pump it out using a small handpump. Or the dirty job underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Not all engines have oil-spray cooling of the piston crown. Usually only Turbo Sube engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 he still hasn't mentioned if this is really "overfill" or just an empty, new oil filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jib Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Yes, overfill can be bad because of foaming, etc. Under filling, below the low level can be bad too. Fortunately, you have a quart of difference between the two. I check my oil level first thing in the morning. The car has had all night for the oil to drain down and it's cold and thick, so it's easier to ready. Bonus, there is no need to wipe the dip stick off and reinsert it. Just pull it out and read the level. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unibrook Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Just a small upgrade tip. If you are doing strictly street driving (not much chance of hitting a rock under the car), I suggest you buy your car a Fumoto oil valve to replace the plug. Makes draining off excess oil reeeeeeeeeeeally easy. For that matter, makes changing oil reeeeeeeeally easy and less messy. http://www.fumotovalve.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 If you put in 4.2 quarts you are fine. If it is a bit overfull it will toss it into your pcv valve and you may smoke a bit. It takes a serious overfill to foam but some people have been known to overfill two quarts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanski06 Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 i just checked out that website....wouldnt u be worried if somehow that thing came open and u lost all your oil without knowing .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unibrook Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 I have been using the Fumoto for over a year. Trust me, it cannot pop open by itself as the lever locks in place. It is not recommended if you are offroading because you could perhaps damage it by whacking it on a rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 anyone notice this dude hasn't checked back in yet? did you check how much oil your owners manual says to add? compare that to what you did and take note next time to add the correct amount. the drain valves are super nice, great idea and i've seen them leak...just drip leaks but that's more than i care to have. take your pick and check your oil often. i'll stick with a drain plug, KISS. add the right amount and draining isn't necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidion Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 I just changed my oil on Sunday. And of course, put to much oil in. *shrugs* don't ask... What's the best way to remove it.. just pull the plug again and put it back after a sec or two? bryan funny how my avatar seems to fit all of my posts....*thinks* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 why is it bad? over lubrication? Or the oil can burst? Over filling can allow the oil to be affected by the rotation or the sweep of the crankshaft. This would let the oil get airated. The same way your heart cant pump air, neither can the oil pump. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Gary, Have you seen an actual Fumoto leak or one of the other brands? At CF we used them on cross country tucks and forklifts and I've never seen one leak. Don't ask about the time we tried another brand. Sometimes there is a reason there is a lower bidder. You can also buy a fair bit of oil for the cost of a Fumoto. I've also never seen one open in error becuse of the lock, but you can double lock them with a hose clamp for farm use. That sort of ruins it to me because if you have to go get a screwdriver you may as well get a wrench. I probably would not use one for off road as you can break off anything that sticks out at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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