Another dumb question..... engine oil capacity

[7502]

OK place this post firmly in the moron department. I changed my motor oil and filter yesterday and ended up pouring in 5 full quarts of oil to eventually reach the top line on the dipstick. Most references show it should take 4.5 Quarts, some on-line sources say the M10 holds only 4.25 quarts. I remember this isn't the first time I've had to add 5 quarts. Is it possible my dip stick is too short ?? I think it's the original dipstick, has a yellow painted handle if that provides any clues. Maybe I'm not waiting long enough for it to drain down into the sump. Just seems very odd to me.

 

I'm going to head out to the garage in a bit and check the level again after it's' rested over night, If I have to I'll drain out some oil I'll do that but wonder what's going on. As far as I know I have a standard oil sump/pan.

[Einspritz]

did you start the engine to circulate the oil fully into the filter?

 

It is not particularly a bad thing to overfill by a small amount; we do it as a matter of course on the S14 engines.

[2002Scoob]

You're getting Liters and Quarts mixed up.

 

Oil Capacity is 4.25 Liters, or 4.5 Quarts. 

Edited April 16, 2018 by 2002Scoob

['76mintgrün'02]

Are you certain that the tube the dip stick fits into is fully seated?

 

[7502]

I usually fill the oil filter before I spin it on and yes I did start up the engine after the first 4.5 quarts and then let it rest for a couple minutes before checking the level and adding more in small amounts until all 5 quarts were added.

4 minutes ago, 2002Scoob said:

You're getting Liters and Quarts mixed up.

 

Oil Capacity is 4.5 Liters, or 4.25 Quarts. 

Good point, but that makes it even worse since I added 5 quarts. Just thought of something, maybe the bottles are not quarts but liters.

[7502]

3 minutes ago, '76mintgrun'02 said:

Are you certain that the tube the dip stick fits into is fully seated?

 

Worth a second look, but I usually seat it down as far as it will go.

['76mintgrün'02]

I mean the tube that the stick fits into.

On mine, it fits into a section of hose at the bottom.

I believe there are at least a couple different types of tube though.

[02Les]

12 minutes ago, 2002Scoob said:

You're getting Liters and Quarts mixed up.

 

Oil Capacity is 4.25 Liters, or 4.5 Quarts. 

4.25 quarts OR if the filter is changed, then it takes 4.52 quarts..........according to the orange glovebox handbook.

[7502]

1 minute ago, '76mintgrun'02 said:

I mean the tube that the stick fits into.

On mine, it fits into a section of hose at the bottom.

I believe there are at least a couple different types of tube though.

I'll investigate and snap a pic of that area and report back.

[jrhone]

There is a specific measurement for the tube height because that short section of tube could be the wrong size.  I don’t know it maybe others can chime in on the exact length from the engine to the top of the dipstick. 

['76mintgrün'02]

here's mine

[HBChris]

I don’t know when the tubes changed but my 75 doesn’t have the rubber hose and two part tube.

['76mintgrün'02]

My car was produced in 10/'75, fwiw.

[7502]

This is what I have in the dip stick tube department.  For what it's worth the car is a 75 and the engine is a replacement engine of some sort. I measure about 6.25 " from top of stick tube down to the fitting at the bottom. The stick itself looks good.

[7502]

I'll go out and see if I can loosen and press the tube down any further.  Have to say I never would have guessed that the tube fitment could be the issue. That's one of those parts that you assume are correct and are fool proof,