I'm an idiot :(...

[Barrbeast]

I blame a busy and sleep deprived weekend...

Got into the Troll last night, absolutely shattered and ready to go home, oil pressure light stays on *bugger*

Obviously the engine was running by this time so switched off, checked dipstick (still some oil there thank buggery) and limped her to the nearest petrol station, went in and bought a litre of oil.

Started pouring some in, thought "Lets just see what her capacity is".

Checked the manual, capacity 8.2 litres, "Aww well, if the lights on she should take the whole litre then..."

Turn on, warning light goes out, I drive home with no issues and collapse in my bed.

My streets sloped and it wasn't until i got to work this morning that I had a level spot where I could check the dipstick (after letting her sit) and looks like I've overfilled her slightly :doh

I know what can happen from overfilling but I've driven twice between home and work (just over 40miles in total) with no problems so thinking I should be fine? Checked the patrol forum and the net in general and opinion seems divided - some say it's the end of the world, others say they regularly overfill slightly

I'm gonna head to the farm after work anyway and drain a little out but what do you folks think?

 

[bry]

I would think,that if it ran Ok and you are now back to the correct oil level. (slight overfill should be OK).But i would wonder why the oil light came on in the first instance,

 

[makeitfit]

I'd rather not find out the hard way that half the internet types are right So for the sake of 20 minutes I'd be draining the excess mate :thumbs
Simple, safe n cheap, I like

 

[Fez_uk]

how much is slightly?

But as pete said, if your worried best drain out some of the oil. I don't want you breaking your engine!

 

[Barrbeast]

Yeh, I don't want me breaking my engine either!

Reckon she's about 15mm (max) over the top mark and have taken the same view as you guys - I would rather spend 20 mins draining a bit out than keep worrying... just gotta drive to the farm first (!)...

I checked the odometer and she's coming up due for a service soon (every 9000 miles - she's done a wee bit over 8500) so am not overly concerned by the light going on. I expect a diesel to use some oil and she has done a number of long runs (ie. 500 mile plus) in the 6 months since I got her.

The last time I looked at the dipstick previously (not long after I got her in March) she wasn't excessively full so imagine the car dealer I bought her off hadn't been generous with the oil when he serviced her. (big slap on my wrist for not checking her sooner! - annoying thing is I check the tractor regularly :doh)

 

[Fez_uk]

I think 15mm is way too much.

Mines about 1-2mm over.

If your quick about it you could drain a bit out of the sump into a pot then use the pot to refill it as needed. Your gonna get oil all over your hands.

That's if you can get under it.

 

[Peasgood1]

If the oil level was still on the dipstick that isn't likely to be the cause of the oil light being on.

 

[Barrbeast]

If the oil level was still on the dipstick that isn't likely to be the cause of the oil light being on.

Had been running though and it went out once I topped her up. Manual says to check for oil on the dipstick if the oil pressure light goes on, if so you should be fine to limp her to a garage keeping under 3000 revs.

 

[Nav230]

Picture what happens if you overfill an engine. The pistons have no space between the oil and the bottom of them so they can force the oil up into the bores, not exactly in themselves hydraulicking but leading to the possibility of running on it's own oil.

I doubt it's done any damage, but have a look in the intake and any breathers for oil and clean it out.

It's running ok so you should be alright.

Have you found the cause of the oil light staying on though ? I assume you mean oil pressure and not level? A lot of people think the oil light is just telling them to top up because level is low but usually it means no oil pressure and that's very bad. Anyway if it had no oil pressure it would be dead after 40 miles, so suspect dodgy switch or a wire earthing out.

I always like to have an oil pressure gauge too. Probably one of the most important instruments next to temperature on any engine.

 

[Nav230]

Had been running though and it went out once I topped her up. Manual says to check for oil on the dipstick if the oil pressure light goes on, if so you should be fine to limp her to a garage keeping under 3000 revs.

Crikey, that's appalling advice for anyone that might have no mechanical knowledge. Driving with the oil light on is a definate no no unless you are certain the light is defective.
Even at idle if you had no oil pressure then you will run the main and big end bearings after a very short time, and driving would additionally do the cam bearings, turbo bearings and eventually seize the engine.

 

[Barrbeast]

Hi bud

Having done some (panicky) checking of the Aus Patrol Forum Reference Doc for my Y61 (I love that place) it looks like the warning light on the Y61 is mainly for low pressure rather than no pressure - according to the doc the ECU won't allow you to start if it detects no pressure.

Interestingly enough, in the early 3.0's (2000-2001) there weren't enough oil channels/the existing ones were inadequate so Mr Nissan's solution was to shorten the dipstick so that people would overfill...

 

[Nav230]

Hi bud

Having done some (panicky) checking of the Aus Patrol Forum Reference Doc for my Y61 (I love that place) it looks like the warning light on the Y61 is mainly for low pressure rather than no pressure - according to the doc the ECU won't allow you to start if it detects no pressure.

Interestingly enough, in the early 3.0's (2000-2001) there weren't enough oil channels/the existing ones were inadequate so Mr Nissan's solution was to shorten the dipstick so that people would overfill...

Well most oil pressure sensors come on at a few psi, maybe 4 or 5. Though to be honest I've always believed that's too low but that's another story.

I've read about the oil issues on the 3 litres and I really wouldn't worry about the overfilling you did if it's at the correct level now, though I would still check that the intake hoses, air filter, breather etc are free from anything but a tiny amount of oil just for peace of mind. You usually get a bit of oil in there from normal engine breathing.
I take it your engine is running fine, no odd noises, blue smoke from the exhaust etc?
I know the aussies seem to have a downer on the 3 litre engine so they might be overdoing it a bit and worrying you.

Anyway if it had blown, you could always fit a TD42, the best Patrol engine.

 

[micktheshed]

barrbeast;
My 3L Terrano has always shown at least 5mm over the full mark, especially after an oil change, re-filling with the specified amount, & to date (that's asking for it LOL) I've had no probs at all. Given that I do mainly towing & long distance work you journeys should be OK. I'm a bit concerned about 15mm though as I'm thinking that is almost 1L! As others have said, the cause of the oil light coming on needs investigating as I don't think it was anything to do with low oil level.
On a brighter note: this reminds me of a secretary I used to work with, given that she was only 19 at the time & not car savvy at all, her dad told her to always top up the tyres & the oil when re-fuelling the Mini. So she took him at his word.......a few weeks later.....the (very blown!) engine was overflowing from the dipstick hole when the recovery truck arrived....& the tyres were over 50 psi. She can laugh about it know but it's taken her nearly 15 years LOL.

 

[Barrbeast]

Cheers bud

According to the manual (should have read this bit at the time but brain wasn't working due to fatigue) the difference between the Low and High marks on the dispstick is 0.5l and I would say they're a good 20-25mm apart so don't reckon I can be over by more than 0.5l (feverishly touching wood!).

 

[edgerton19]

3.0 oil light stays on at start up.........change the high speed oil pressure sensor, very common problem. There is a work sheet for the Terrano in the download section for the sensor change.
I have run a 3.0 Terrano from new and it is now on sensor number 4 or is it 5 (I have lost count) I carry a spare in the car.

 

[solarman216]

15 mm is a little high but not serious unless you do a lot of high speed motorway work, all that happens is the crank weights and con rods smash into the oil which at high speeds make it too hot, slow speed short journeys will not be a problem, for the bottom of the pistons to hit the oil it will need to be massively over full, Rick

 

[Barrbeast]

Well I'm pleased to report that while I may be an idiot :doh... I do appear to have (so far, touch wood!) an idiot proof Y61 Troll!

Foxy's oil level is now back down to normal with no apparent ill effects of the overfill WHOOP! :thumb2

Currently on my way to Poland to be best man at a mates wedding (on first layover in Heathrow at the moment) and the Troll drove me to Glasgow for my first flight this morning no bother... I love my Troll!

 

[Fez_uk]

Have a good time, I've always wanted to go there.

Don't spend too much ££!

 

[Barrbeast]

Don't plan to anyway! (I've got offroad kit to buy )

Reckon I'll struggle to anyway... free bar and free digs, all I have to worry about is my speech and chasing those bridesmaids!

 

[rustic]

... Currently on my way to Poland to be best man at a mates wedding ...

If Ryan only knew that...

he probably has a few things to send back, and you could have saved him a few £ on his Towbar for his Hyundi...:lol:lol