Oil level check??

[phoenixpete]

Ok, stupid question time.

Just had a major service on my Mercury 75 4 stroke 2004 model with carbs.
I checked the oil today and it is well above the max point on the dipstick.
Question is do you check oil level with the dipstick resting on the top of the rubber after a wipe off or fully inserted and seated?
If I do the first option, ie; resting on the rubber it is still about a half inch high, If I check fully inserted it is about and inch and a half too high.

Looks like I need to remove some but which method of checking will decide how much.
I would have thought, fully inserted then pulled and checked, but just thought I better ask.

Pete.

[CJL]

What position is the engine in when you pull the dipstick and how long had it been in that position?

Chris

[phoenixpete]

Originally Posted by CJL

What position is the engine in when you pull the dipstick and how long had it been in that position?

Chris

Hi Chris.

The engine is level and has been for a couple of days.

[Ribochet]

Check your owners manual but the default is to remove the oil dipstick and wipe it clean and then completely insert the dipstick and remove it and then check the level.

Too much oil can be a major issue so you definitely must remove the excess oil - many, myself included, prefer the oil level just below the upper level.

[phoenixpete]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Check your owners manual but the default is to remove the oil dipstick and wipe it clean and then completely insert the dipstick and remove it and then check the level.

Too much oil can be a major issue so you definitely must remove the excess oil - many, myself included, prefer the oil level just below the upper level.

Thanks Ribochet.

Owners manual just says check oil level on dipstick, doesn't say insert fully or just up to rubber.
Seems obvious to check fully inserted and I wouldn't usually ask such a basic question, just that my lawnmower oil level is " Remove dipstick, wipe clean, re-insert up to top of thread, do not check fully inserted".

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by phoenixpete

Thanks Ribochet.

Owners manual just says check oil level on dipstick, doesn't say insert fully or just up to rubber.
Seems obvious to check fully inserted and I wouldn't usually ask such a basic question, just that my lawnmower oil level is " Remove dipstick, wipe clean, re-insert up to top of thread, do not check fully inserted".

Fully understand the dilemma - been there done that

[jyasaki]

I could see too much being a major problem on engines with a horizontal crank (crank hits the pooling oil); not sure what's involved with an upright motor though.

You can either siphon/suck some oil out through the fill port, or drain and refill (in which case your service place should reimburse?)

jky

[phoenixpete]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

I could see too much being a major problem on engines with a horizontal crank (crank hits the pooling oil); not sure what's involved with an upright motor though.

You can either siphon/suck some oil out through the fill port, or drain and refill (in which case your service place should reimburse?)

jky

Looks like I should suck some out
Definitely needs to be done I think as it can't do any good and could cause excess crankcase pressure.
I will do this Monday and hopefully have a run out to try my new prop.
I will I think be doing my own servicing from now on. Only had it done as I didn't fancy changing the cam belt myself.

[m chappelow]

Has the engine been run at all or been turned over since the oil change , it could be showing slightly too much oil on the dip stick if they have refilled it with oil using the recommended amount rather than the dip stick after running or turning the engine over a few times it could drop a bit if theres any air trapped in the filter or voids .

[phoenixpete]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Has the engine been run at all or been turned over since the oil change , it could be showing slightly too much oil on the dip stick if they have refilled it with oil using the recommended amount rather than the dip stick after running or turning the engine over a few times it could drop a bit if theres any air trapped in the filter or voids .

Yes it has, I have been out twice since the service.
Thought I would check the oil level after the second trip, this is when I realised it was very high.
I will take some out Monday and see by how much it was overfilled.

Thanks to everyone who replied

Pete.

[phoenixpete]

Well, I removed exactly 1 litre from the engine to get the dipstick at the correct level.
Ran it up on the muffs, checked level again, spot on, so all fine now.

Note to self. Do your own servicing. At least I know it will be right.

[Ribochet]

Well done

That's was 25% too much

Quite obviously the dip stick who put the oil in didn't know what a real dip stick is for

[Trimix]

I would have asked the people who serviced it to see what they say. Either they failed to measure the oil when replacing it, or failed to drain all the old oil out.

Perhaps they could have sorted it for you, or lent you an oil siphon, or some financial consideration for a job that wasnt well done.

[phoenixpete]

Originally Posted by Trimix

I would have asked the people who serviced it to see what they say. Either they failed to measure the oil when replacing it, or failed to drain all the old oil out.

Perhaps they could have sorted it for you, or lent you an oil siphon, or some financial consideration for a job that wasnt well done.

You are right of course, but I knew what the answer would have been
I think that the oil was sucked out ( Sump plug untouched )and as you say probably left a litre in then just put 5 litres on top.
Less hassle just to sort it myself and move on. As I said, I will do my own servicing in future.
Few other things not done to my satisfaction as well, but best just to chalk it up to experience I think.

[Trimix]

Fair enough, but its a sad state of affairs when you pay a professional and get a crap job done.

Especially with a limited number of customers, who are all probably online, you would think suppliers would be more carefull with their reputations.

*wonders off to check oil level*