Need Help, I put a little too much oil

[SSSSE YA]

I had the oil changed in the Viper a few weeks ago after we were done I checked it and the level was fine. Today I "had" to go out for a "ride" (it was almost 80* degrees) when I came back I noticed a few small drops of oil on the floor.I checked the level again and it was over the full line a little bit. What should I do, remove some oil or will it be ok to drive the Viper like that and where is the oil leaking from???? Thanks for the help in advance once again.

 

[SSLIDER]

Hey Rob.....Last year "APEX MOTORSPORTS" in Santa Clara CA. over filled my 99 GTS with oil. I must have had a 10 minute conversation with them telling them that the 99's only required 8.5 quarts (w/filter) of oil. They kept telling me 10 quarts. They put 10 in. I never did drain the 2 quarts out and had no problems. In hindsight, I would have felt more comfortable taking the service manual to them and asking them to drain 2 quarts out and refund the $15 bucks they charged me for the 2 extra quarts.

 

[Nexus-6]

I think that you're fine if it's just a touch over full, but a "touch" is a very subjective term...I'd always rather be a touch over than under however.

To be safe, I keep one of these around - I'm very anal about getting exactly the correct amount of fluids in my cars and this comes in handy in situations like yours. It's from Griots and I think it runs about $60 or so - looks silly but it really does do the trick.

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Again, I think you'll be fine though if your "touch" over the full line is just barely. I'm sure some more informed Viper gurus will chime in here shortly...

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

You can't have too much oil.... unless it gets to the point when the crank swings into it such that it creates foam. Foamy oil won't support the bearings and will also accelerate the oxidation process. Racers will also point to the horsepower loss (what you try to gain back with windage trays and ultimately, a dry sump.) Check your oil on tilted road surface to simulate "cornering." If it's truly only a touch over, then sometimes it will show slightly under - depending on the tilt. I'd say then you're fine. If it's always over, then maybe drain a little out.

 

[pdmracing]

if it is more than a touch over, buy another filter & pull the old one off. Be ready with the other filter because the oil will keep coming out due to siphoning.This should take care of it. It is better to be a smidge low than over full.The last oil change that my dealer did was a quart over so this is what I did.

 

[SSSSE YA]

Thanks for the help, I am going to replace the oil filter to drain a little oil to be safe. After all this is my baby.
You guys are the best, Thank You Very Much !!

 

[Jerry Scott[CO]]

Rob
The leak is probably coming out the bottom of the pan. There were several Viper pans that had porous castings, and the oil would go right through the bottom. It could also be the pan gasket. I found that after the gasket has been on for a while, it would leak, even with the latest hi-tech version. Your best bet is to remove the pan, clean the gasket in a solvent, and seal it with a high temp silicone sealer and then it will never leak. You can get a leak detecting dye from NAPA Auto, for a few bucks, to find the source of the leak. Pour it into the oil, then use a UV light to see where it is getting out. The dye will not hurt the engine.

It also could be the rear main seal, which was also a leak spot for early Vipers. This requires pulling the trany, the clutch and flywheel to replace a gasket on the back of the engine.
Jerry Scott

 

[SSSSE YA]

I was hoping someone would say it was leaking from the dip stick or a breather valve caused by to much oil. My Viper never has leaked a drop before this happened.

Once again thanks for the response I received .

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rob 97 Blue & White GTSSS:
I was hoping someone would say it was leaking from the dip stick or a breather valve caused by to much oil. My Viper never has leaked a drop before this happened.

Once again thanks for the response I received .

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If it has never leaked oil before than check the filter and drain plug as those were the last two things manipulated. Overfilling slightly will not cause oil leaks.

 

[Greg W]

If it's leaking oil right after a oil change most likely the shop did a poor job at tightening the oil filter, or possibly the drain plug itself. Had this happen a number of times after oil changes, happening with the Viper last year. Just too big a coincidence that a non-leaking car suddenly develops a leak soon after a oil change.

It's certainly the easiest/best reason for a sudden leak.

Good luck,

Greg

 

[jcaspar1]

I did this a few times finding out exactly how much my 97 GTS held. Don't change the filter unless needed. Just open the drain plug for a few seconds and retighten. Be sure and remove more than you need and then top off to the correct level or you may have to drain a few times (learned the hard way).

Jeff