CRD Oil Level Checking ??s

[CRD Dawg]

I read in a post in another forum a while back about the proper procedure for checking oil level in the CRD. I think most CRD owners are aware of the "unique" oil refilling procedure when doing an oil change, but until I read the post regarding oil level checking, I never knew that "unique" procedure. There is nothing in the owner's manual that I've found regarding this, for the CRD.

Well, the gentleman who posted it is absolutely correct. I can speak from experience. If you follow the conventional procedure for oil checking (1-engine at operating temp, 2-on level ground, 3-shut off, 4-wait a couple minutes, 5-then check), it will read low and you will overfill the engine. He stated that after steps 1 & 2, you then rev the engine to 1,500rpm for 5 seconds, let settle, shut off, wait 15 minutes, then check. When I did my first oil change late last fall (only have about 6k on the CRD), I was not aware of this. I went about 2k miles before I read the post concerning oil level checking. I then immediately did another extraction oil change with my MityVac pump and by my measurements, I had overfilled the engine by .4 liters! Oh boy.

Here's my questions. What are the chances that I did any damage in 2k miles of use with almost a 1/2 liter too much oil in the engine? I had close to 10L in the engine(9.5L stated capacity)! And what would the damage be if there was any? Would there be signs visible from the outside of the engine if so? I have observed no obvious ill affects but not sure really what to look for. Didn't notice any more oil caught in the Racor than usual, any leaks at the junction of the CCV to the turbo, etc. BTW, I have sent in oil samples to Blackstone Labs @ 2k & 5k and they stated that everything appeared to be in good shape and that break-in was progressing as normal.

Thanks for any info you can offer...

[robpp]

it only an opinion, but i would think you are fine.

there is a window of 'full' due to temp, humidity, angle when driving, motion, etc. being about a 1/2 liter over should be within specs............

[scjeep4.7HO]

You didn't do any damage. It's just not optimal and may cause leaks from oil being at levels it normally wouldn't see. It's still only going to pump "X" amount during normal operation no matter how much is in the oil pan.

[CRD Dawg]

You didn't do any damage. It's just not optimal and may cause leaks from oil being at levels it normally wouldn't see. It's still only going to pump "X" amount during normal operation no matter how much is in the oil pan.

Thanks for the info. Where might those leaks show up? Head gasket? Valve cover gasket? Oil pump? Lines? Oil pan?

[scjeep4.7HO]

More likely where the oil pan bolts to the block. It would just be from the excess oil sloshing around and that would be unlikely.

[AB Jeepster]

Thanks for the info. Where might those leaks show up? Head gasket? Valve cover gasket? Oil pump? Lines? Oil pan? where did you pick up your Racor system?

[CRD Dawg]

where did you pick up your Racor system?

Got it from a company called "All Points Marine" in Rhode Island that specializes in, obviously, marine equipment. I've read about others buying from a company called, I believe, 4 Land/4 Sea. Google them or Racor. You'll find a retailer. Many have bought the Racor3500. I bought the 4500. A bit larger with more capacity for filtering but it is much bulkier and harder to work with in the tight space.

[USN_BlackWK]

You didn't do any damage. It's just not optimal and may cause leaks from oil being at levels it normally wouldn't see. It's still only going to pump "X" amount during normal operation no matter how much is in the oil pan.

Not true! It can be just as detrimental to an engine to overfill with oil as it can be to run out of oil completely. If overfilled enough, the crank can come in contact with the oil, which will cause cavitation in the oil (tiny air bubbles) which will decrease the effectiveness of the oil between the bearings. Cavitation also decreases the ability of the oil pump to pull oil through, decreasing pressure. Lower oil pressure, lower viscosity due to increased heat, and air bubbles displacing oil in the bearings = seized bearings

Now as far as the OP's question, overfilling by .4 liters probably is not enough to cause any problems at all. Problems (such as described above) usually only occur when multiple quarts are added above full

[scjeep4.7HO]

Not true! It can be just as detrimental to an engine to overfill with oil as it can be to run out of oil completely. If overfilled enough, the crank can come in contact with the oil, which will cause cavitation in the oil (tiny air bubbles) which will decrease the effectiveness of the oil between the bearings. Cavitation also decreases the ability of the oil pump to pull oil through, decreasing pressure. Lower oil pressure, lower viscosity due to increased heat, and air bubbles displacing oil in the bearings = seized bearings

Now as far as the OP's question, overfilling by .4 liters probably is not enough to cause any problems at all. Problems (such as described above) usually only occur when multiple quarts are added above full

Areation would be at the contact point, near the surface. Oil is picked up at he lowest point in the pan....

Cavatation comes from the pump not pumping enough oil or the oil having no where to go, too much pressure ETC . . . not worth arguing about, beilieve whomever you want.

OH, and we are talking about 0.5 of a quart not 3-4 quarts.

[CRD Dawg]

Thanks everyone for the education. I forgot to mention, I do remember that when I would look under the oil cap (during the time the engine was overfilled), the cap looked wet as if it was lightly sprayed/splashed with oil. Dry as a bone now that I corrected oil level. This was another big point of concern for me. I hope I got away with a big goof up here. Time will tell, I guess. Definitely lesson learned. Again, barely a 1/2 L but this discussion really shows how careful one has to be. Hope this helps out all you CRD owners out there.

[USN_BlackWK]

Areation would be at the contact point, near the surface. Oil is picked up at he lowest point in the pan....

Cavatation comes from the pump not pumping enough oil or the oil having no where to go, too much pressure ETC . . . not worth arguing about, beilieve whomever you want.

OH, and we are talking about 0.5 of a quart not 3-4 quarts.

Touche. You are right about my mix-up of terms. Though I still maintain that overfilling is bad. But agree that half a quart is not going to hurt a thing.

[AB Jeepster]

my question to you folks who believe they were low on oil... did you wait the mandated 15 minutes after the engine is shut off?

[CRD Dawg]

my question to you folks who believe they were low on oil... did you wait the mandated 15 minutes after the engine is shut off?

Definitely not at first, for me. I'd never read that, in any literature anywhere. Just read it by chance about a month or so after I did my first oil change in a thread elsewhere. You'd think that the owner's manual would have relayed that specific information since it's a bit different than the usual oil checking procedure than that for most cars. I understand that the oil change/refill procedure is a bit different, and that the info/procedure is not readily available to the public since the expectation is that dealer service departments tend to do most people's oil changes. But it is very common, and recommended, that the consumer at least know how to check and monitor their oil level, so why this is not described in the owner's manual perplexes and frustrates me.

[AB Jeepster]

Definitely not at first, for me. I'd never read that, in any literature anywhere. Just read it by chance about a month or so after I did my first oil change in a thread elsewhere. You'd think that the owner's manual would have relayed that specific information since it's a bit different than the usual oil checking procedure than that for most cars. . Since my CRD was a 2008.5 (built in december of 2008), I got a 2009 owners manual. On page 415, "anytime the oil is drained and filled it is very important to wait 15 minutes before starting the engine."

On page 414, it states, " Before checking the oil level, turn the engine off and wiat 15 minutes to allow for the oil to return to the oil pan."

[AB Jeepster]

Got it from a company called "All Points Marine" in Rhode Island that specializes in, obviously, marine equipment. I've read about others buying from a company called, I believe, 4 Land/4 Sea. Google them or Racor. You'll find a retailer. Many have bought the Racor3500. I bought the 4500. A bit larger with more capacity for filtering but it is much bulkier and harder to work with in the tight space. What was the actual part number...as I noted on the RACOR site, and others, that there is a right or left letter to their products.

[CRD Dawg]

Mine's a 2008 but August 2007 production date. Wish my owner's manual stated that. Racor CCV4500-08 is the model I got. Most folks think the 4500 is overkill and that the 3500 is big enough. It is bulkier and heavier and more difficult to mount. I think the R & L stand for right or left but the intake and exhaust ports on either side are reversible so it really doesn't matter. If you buy the 4500, you also have to buy the separate screw in barbs for the hose. It's takes from 3/4" to 1 1/4" barbs. I have 3/4 on the intake side and 1" on the exhaust side that runs to the turbo. Talk to someone on the phone instead of ordering over the internet. Maybe you can ask a few ??'s and learn a bit more. Talk to another diesel tech and get their opinion before you pull the trigger and they may be able to help with your decision.

[AB Jeepster]

appreciate your help thnx