How much oil is too much ?

[PMK]

Hi All
While doing a service on my NT I got distracted & overfilled the engine with oil.
It's about 5mm over the full indicator on the dipstick After sitting overnight. Never done it before but there's always a first time !
Now before I go to the trouble of draining some off I would like to hear some opinions on whether that would be considered too much or not.
Or do I just leave it ?
I don't usually see any oil use between services so it's not going to go down by itself over a bit of use.
Looking to hear from others that might have done similar .....
Thanks in advance
Paul

[spot01]

Only 5mm over when cold overnight shouldn't be a problem.

In fact, the oil level should be checked on level ground about 5 or 10 minutes after switching off a warm engine, so I would think it will be about right if you check it then.

I would not try to drain any.

[geopaj]

Yep, 5mm over won't cause any issues.

[Rovingman]

It will just come out the overflow valve behind the front right guard, i noticed that after the last service as mechanic did just that.

[_jp_]

I believe there is also an "X" on the dipstick further up. Some of the earlier models used to dilute the engine oil with diesel through DPF burns causing the oil level in the sump to increase. The service manual states it needs to stay below the "X" so 5mm above the "Maximum" mark should be fine as its still miles below the "X".

[DaveH]

In services by my local dealer they often overfill with oil. I think they tip the full contents of 2x 5litre container in without thinking. I can recall having 5mm overfill from the them ( ie the dealer) so you should be fine.

[PMK]

Only 5mm over when cold overnight shouldn't be a problem.

In fact, the oil level should be checked on level ground about 5 or 10 minutes after switching off a warm engine, so I would think it will be about right if you check it then.

I would not try to drain any.

Thanks,
Normally would check the oil shortly after switching off the engine but on this occasion I checked it after it had been sitting overnight.
On previous changes it would only be at the high mark after an overnight rest.
I must have put more in then normal but as per the other responses it's probably nothing to worry about
Thanks for your reply
Cheers

[PMK]

It will just come out the overflow valve behind the front right guard, i noticed that after the last service as mechanic did just that.

Interesting, Never heard of this. Will have a look now.
But thanks for the info

[PMK]

I believe there is also an "X" on the dipstick further up. Some of the earlier models used to dilute the engine oil with diesel through DPF burns causing the oil level in the sump to increase. The service manual states it needs to stay below the "X" so 5mm above the "Maximum" mark should be fine as its still miles below the "X".

Must have changed with the NT. As I have no DPF I guess there's no need of the X mark. But it does mean that the level could be a lot higher than the maximum mark without any problems.
I guess the reason for the need of an oil change on the models with the X is because at that stage it would dilute the engine oil to a point where it would become a problem ?
Thanks for the info though..... Never stop learning
Cheers

[PMK]

To all others that replied
Thanks for your comments, Looks like I'm worrying about nothing.
It's just that I am usually very careful not to overfill. Must be a throw back to when I used to own a Nissan ZD30 !!
Cheers to all

[Rovingman]

To all others that replied
Thanks for your comments, Looks like I'm worrying about nothing.
It's just that I am usually very careful not to overfill. Must be a throw back to when I used to own a Nissan ZD30 !!
Cheers to all

Nothing now you know but when you don't its worrying sometimes, don't be shy to ask questions that's what the forums about mate.
No one is forced to answer anything.

[wanderay]

I put 10 litres in and it promptly leaked out the rocker cover injector seals, over the next 10,000 k's it was a real pain. Cost several hundred dollars to replace all seals and get the tappets checked at the same time

5mm should be fine though.

Ray

[DaveH]

40 years ago I used this old mechanics trick to get out of trouble.

If a main or big end bearing becomes noisy when away from home on a trip an extra 5 Litres of oil in the sump. The bearings should be swimming in oil. Don't rev the motor ie keep revs down. Lasts about 500 miles till the bearing really become noisy. Given the engine is stuffed before you start the any damage from this much oil doesn't matter.

My moral is if an engine will go with this much extra oil just a little bit extra is of no consequence.

[Allan2]

Over filling to a point where the main and big end bearings are submerged in oil with a diesel engine will cause the oil to leak out anywhere it can with a reduction in performance. A diesel engine has larger engine componments due to the higher compression ratio and their sump pressures are higher due to the larger rotating and moving masses and piston ring blowby.
Be carefull with over filling, as mentioned above 1 liter overfull caused the rocker cover seals to leak however over 5mm would be fine.
Regards Allan.

[HeavyPizzaz]

Ah FFS, a mechanic (a new one that I visited for first time this week, with 5 star reviews) put all 10L of the oil I supplied in, and it’s pretty much at the X mark. Looks like I’ll be draining some this arvo. Guess which mechanic I won’t be visiting again. I only get a mechanic to do it at all coz it’s on a lease. Arggggggghhh so frustrating. This is the same mechanic who said the valves don’t need adjusting on an NX - but I got him to do the oil change coz I thought surely he can’t screw that up.