is my engine smaller than normal (oil change issue)

[b2089]

Twice now I've gone to the same non-dealer service center, once was six months ago, once was yesterday. Both times they put in a quart too much oil. Luckily this time I caught it in the parking lot, last time I drove home before thinking to check it (about 10 miles).

Why does this happen? the paperwork has the proper engine on it and my experience with fast oil change shops is that their computer should have the correct car info and tell the person what to use. Beyond that if they did have the wrong info in the system wouldn't it give them the wrong filter, one that wouldn't go on? At any rate I know that if they did a start and check like they should they would have seen the oil level on the dipstick.

Anyway what I'm asking is does anyone have any idea why a normal V6 GA would get too much oil twice?

[MantaGreen97]

I dunno... Did you ask them how much they were putting in, in total though?

[b2089]

Not before hand. I would never have guessed that the same mistake could happen twice. I would have guessed that with the computer in the lobby showing the correct info and with the normal checks that I did see them do that they would have gotten it correct. I told them it holds 4.5 quarts assuming a normal sized filter. when they re-did it that put the oil exactly in the middle of the cross hatches on the dip stick.

[bballr4567]

Yea Ive had to tell the guys that changed my oil to only put 4.5 in. Thats why I now do it myself because its super simple.

[rabidpanda69]

They maybe looked up ecotec specs by mistake. They take 5 or 5.5 as I recall.

Or just stupid lube techs :lol:

[alegar001]

as a lube tech ;) who ever is doing your oil change is not doing it correctly, or they are stupid. Most places go by the book then check the oil. Obviously they are not checking, they are probly just dumping how much ever oil the computer calls for and out the door. Their computer just an't reading right

ecotecs 5Qts
3X00 (majority) 4-4.6Qts
Quads 4-4.5Qts

Peace :p

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by b2089
Anyway what I'm asking is does anyone have any idea why a normal V6 GA would get too much oil twice?

Cause you took it to a "quick lube" oil place twice. This sounds like 100% human error.

[rixGAphx]

All of the above are correct answers.

But you might also be wondering if something is wrong with your engine.

* On my Jeep Cherokee 2.8 version of this same engine, the oil pan is old-fashioned formed steel.
That 22-yr old thing is beat and dented all to sh!t, and it's actual capacity is prolly 1/2 quart less than when new.

* This can NOT be the case with your GA's V6, since the oil pan is a cast aluminum piece. It can't be dented.
It just CRACKS when it's hit too hard :eek:

Also, if a dent is in just the wrong place, the dipstick can 'bottom-out' high, and you end up OVERFILLING just trying to get the level to what you think is the correct level.
* * *
You say they REDID the oil fill, as in drained it all and re-measured to the specified 4.5 qts??
I guess that confirms that the dipstick reads accurately.
* * *
Was this a kwicky-Scru-U-Lube place, or a reputable service center?
Teh kwickies *almost* cause more problems than if you never ever changed the oil.

I would find a different non-dealer service center.
-Rick

[b2089]

It was half between the quickies and dealer, closer to the quickie side. It was Sears, I didn't want to say, but I guess the truth shouldn't be hidden. Actually I don't know that they re-mesured it or if when they re-did it they just added a little at the time until they got it right.

I know the guy who did it the second time, he'd have told me if something was wrong, but I'll ask next time I see him. He said the issue was a mechanic bringing up the wrong info, but declined to give specifics on how it could happen once much less twice when the correct car info is in the system.

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by b2089
I know the guy who did it the second time, he'd have told me if something was wrong, but I'll ask next time I see him. He said the issue was a mechanic bringing up the wrong info, but declined to give specifics on how it could happen once much less twice when the correct car info is in the system.

LOL "declined to give you specifics"... It's like a huge mystery/conspiracy/cover-up over an oil change hahaha :lol:

Probably what happens when Seinfeld goes to get his oil changed... ;)

[b2089]

I think he wanted to stop short of saying "the guys an idiot and does this all the time" which is quickly where his explanation was going.

One thing I forgot from when I used to do oil changes is that overfills often are caused by not properly draining the old oil. You get in a hurry, have three cars behind you and the oil is coming out slow because the customer only drove a mile or so to get there in freezing weather. You put the plug in and then realize the slow drip was stopped prematurely.

[slowbird]

Every time the dealer has changed my oil (Almost every time) they have put in too much.

My owners manual says my car takes 3.8L of oil w/filter.

I've given the dealership 4L of Mobil1 and they told me I didn't give them enough.

I've had one GM Technician it takes 4 and a 1/4 Litres of oil. I was looking over his shoulder so he double and triple checked the oil level and ended up adding the entire 4.4L Jug of oil in.

My friend thinks the Mechanics who've added too much add the oil....run the car...shut it off. Check the fluid...see it's low and top it up. Then when I check the oil when the cars sat for a couple minutes and the oil has properly drained to the bottom I see the level is too high.

I was going on about this awhile ago when I first got my GAGT.
Oil Questions (http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47798&perpage=20&highlight=Oil%20level&pagenumber=1)

Oil change. level too high (http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48638&highlight=Oil+level)

[pontiac3100]

my place what i do is put in 4 quarts start the car and then check the level after i run the car for a while.

if it's a lil' low i'll add 1/2 quart.
this is because when we pull it out and they'll check it...right after it's been ran then they'll assume we're trying to screw up there car

[GaDave]

i work at a lube shop 00+ ga's usually take 3.8L with the filter sum times 99's call for 3.8L plus the filter its weird and the 3.4L motors in the vans(venture,montana) take 4.3L i think its different oil pans they use the same filter. dont know if this helps ne thing but i havn't overfilled one yet they always come up 2 the top or just a hair under the top of the cross hatch.