i put way too much oil in my car, will this damage the engine?

Question

alright i thought i drained the car oil, and it turns out i had drained the transmission oil unknowlingly, i added 6qts of oil and drove a little before i noticed that a ton of smoke behind my car. when i check the oil meter i was like 3times over the maximum amount, and i had no to little transmission fluid in my car, since i finally after driving it home realzied that i had not draiend the right thing.

my question is: what type of damages am i looking at?

i am getting obd2 errors telling me that different cylinders are miss firing now, and its flashing (the Engine service light).
is there a chance that if i let it run it will burn the rest of the oil that is still where it should not be?


thanks i really need the help

Answer 1

First, I would advice you to leave your vehicles servicing to someone qualified.
Yes, drain your oil immediately and refill to correct amount with NEW oil, overfilling by just a small amount can cause blow out of seals etc.
refill your trans with correct new trans oil, take special care not to overfill, then hope you haven't done any lasting damage to either.

Answer 2

You do not give the engine size or how much oil was SUPPOSE to be in there, nor how long you actually drove it and how fast. Relevant info. Engine and model of car helps us in advisiing.

It amazes me how many people do not check the dipstick to be sure that enough oil is in there B4 starting the engine. Even after an oil change.
Just to make sure that the oil plug is still in there.
It is called a fluid level check.


It depends on your motor condition. If it is already a beater then you would not notice the fact that you have started leaking alot more oil.

You best be draining it all....and put in the correct amount. Also take care of the tranny.

Pretty well all you can do. If it leaks alot after, then you can assume that you have blown gaskets and will have to replace them. Otherwise things should burn out.

Answer 3

The amount of damage could be high! I would be more worried about the tranny though! I'd start by checking the spark plugs for fouling. Too much oil could cause too high of oil presure too! sorry to say this but the $24.95 oil change special doesn't sound so bad now does it!

you could have messed up the o2 sensors with the smoke too! Cars are hard to give a definate answer with out seeing them

Answer 4

couple of things, one drain your oil immediately to the correct fill line on your dip stick over filling will cause you to blow your engine seals out and leaks will spawn every where. The misfire codes may be due to fowled plugs due to the excess oil. So you may change the plugs. Fill your transmission to the correct line with motor running in park or you will burn up the clutches and bands that work to shift your tranny. Don't feel bad I had a friend due the same overfill on a 90 VW Golf.

Answer 5

no telling what damage you have done but it doesn't sound good.

drain your motor oil and let it stand for a day or two. then add the proper amount. and check it before you start it up!

i'd be more worried about the trans. autos do not like running with out oil. change the thrans oil while your at it.

do you have oil in your air cleaner? might want to change it too. the crankcase breathers are generally plumbed right into the air cleaner or into the intake.

good luck.

Answer 6

Drain the oil, fill to correct level. fill transmission to correct level and clean or replace spark plugs. You oil fouled the plugs. Short term damage is unlikely, but keep an eye out for oil leaks. Too much oil can produce too much pressure and overstress weak seals.

Answer 7

it will damage the engine, drain it out...............or how bout this, leave changing the oil up to people you can trust.......your little mistake could of set you back several thousands of dollars.....all for what a 10$ oil change. I am still certified and was an ASE certified master tech and I will pay 25$ to have someone else change my oil

Answer 8

Drain all the oil and don't try to save it.Put in
THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF OIL and tranny fluid. If your lucky and
didn't drive it far nothing was damaged.