Dealer Oil Change Overfill '02 Camry

[2CamryFan]

I just picked up/bought an '02 Camry XLE that was my wife's late grandmother's car. It is in mint condition with only 30K miles. This is our second Camry. We also have an '06 LE.

Before I started the trip home I took it for an oil change at the Toyota dealership near her home thinking the dealership would be more careful than a quick oil change place or Walmart.

After I got home (200 miles) I happened to check the oil and found the dealership had overfilled the motor with oil. The oil line was about a 1/2" over the full indicator on the dipstick. I called the service writer at the out of town dealership and he told me to take the car to my local Toyota dealership to confirm that it was too full. I did, and the local dealership confirmed that it was "slightly too full" but determined it was no big deal and didn't feel it was necessary to do anything about it.

I was really irritated because I feared engine damage. I was also mad because I thought the dealership would be more careful. I hope the local dealership isn't just trying to cover out of town dealership's tail.

I guess I will drain out a quart. Any suggestions? Is engine damage likely? Anything I should watch for or do?

[Toysrme]

It's a quart high at most.

[tlong831]

It's doubtful I've overfilled my old cars before mostly 87 accords that were major beaters so i didn't care but the engine did leak... so I'd say dont do it

[toyomoho]

Not a problem, perhaps 1/2 quart too high.

[secrecyguy]

I have to agree with everyone else. It will not do no harm if it is overfilled.

Now if you talking what kind of oil to use and if oil addiftive is necessary, than yes, that will make a difference.

Since I am on that subject, don't use any oil additive. It's worthless. When I used to take an auto class, a few students asked the teacher about the oil additives that is shown on the infomercial and he says it's worthless. He even seen cars damaged by it.

The teacher is right, several months or few years later, Consumer Report decided to test those oil additives and they say it's worthless to have.

I talk to an auto mechanic about synthetic oil and he told me that will help make the engine last longer. (if you start using it when the car is under 100,000 miles or if the car is new, wait until the car is already break in like 30,000 miles or more) He recommend using Mobil 1 synthetic oil.

I hope this helps you.

[ghettosled]

1/2" over the full mark isnt anything to be worried about. its about 1/2 quart too much. if it was over a quart too much, then i would say drain some out, but this isnt enough to bother.


quick general question, i know on some cars if the oil level was at the fill/low mark, one quart would bring the level up to the full line. is this true on all cars?

[2CamryFan]

I carefully drained exactly 16 ounces of oil. The dipstick showed a perfectly full level afterward, so it was exactly half a quart too high. I suppose that amount is unlikely to cause any damage. I'm probably doing my own oil changes from now on.

[marc780]

Yes reason number 1,000,012 to change your oil: Idiots getting their hands on your car! Just learn how to do it right on YOUR OWN car and then you know it WILL be done right.
A few mechanics are dedicated, professional, knowledgable and conscentious. As for the other 95%, they are often stupid, untrained, malicious, ignorant, or indifferent. Sorry if that sounds cynical, but this has been my bitter experience - i've spent lots of time fixing their mistakes: valves adjusted too tight, overfilled fluids, parts left off, bolts too loose, vacuum hoses not put back, stripped out threads! And their mistakes can cost you lots and lots of time and money if you don't check their work, catch their screw- ups and fix their botched 'repairs" to your car.

[Mike Gerber]

I have to agree with Marc about doing whatever you can yourself.

If your 02 has the 4 cylinder 2AZ engine, and holds the same amount of oil as the 2AZ in the 07, it takes 4-1/2 quarts with the filter. Some techs probably just put in 5 quarts. This would explain why you were 1/2 quart over full. It probably wouldn't have been a problem, but I know you now feel better with it back at the full line.

Mike

[2CamryFan]

The '02 owner's manual calls for 4.0 quarts of oil with filter change on the 4 cylinder engine.

I do feel much better now. I hope the lube "tech" did everything else right.

In the past I've felt better about taking my cars to the dealerships for oil changes whenever I haven't done them myself. Actually, my father-in-law told me to take the car to the quick lube place he uses. I thought I knew better and took it to the local Toyota dealership instead, thinking they would do a better job and use genuine parts.

The owner's manual is full of warnings not to overfill the engine with oil. When I brought it to the attention of the two dealerships, they both said it was no big deal. It seems with the cost of repairs that lube places would be super anal about getting it right.

I told my wife tonight that we got our old lube tech back this week - ME! In todays world you really have to look after yourself most of the time.

[2CamryFan]

I had a great experience at a new Toyota dealership this afternoon when getting my transmission fluid changed and coolant checked.

If you don't get good service at one dealership, move on and keep looking until you find a good one. I will do my own oil changes but will use this new dealership for any other service.

Always double check their work. You have to look out for yourself!

[skewe]

same thing about a toyota dealership too in houston. fred hass. they are usually great but that lead mechanic was an asshole and did not want to drain it. i got him to sign something saying that it will not kill the engine. ticked me off

[BlackCamSe]

if any of you like in the NY/NJ area, i recommend Gateway Toyota. I get my car serviced there every time i need it to be, they do a great job, i always take a look under there to check what they did. Besides a few drips of oil on my polished and clean engine cover , Ive not had any problems. But one thing that i do hate..is they put 5000 intervals on the oil change reminder sticker. Lol

[Heat]

Speaking of changing your own oil, where can I get some OEM Toyota oil filters at a discount? I'd be buying ten or so, however many a "case" is if that means a little more discount. I do kind of like going to the dealer for each oil filter though, $5.75 but free fountain drinks (next to the parts department is the waiting area, next to that are free fountain drinks). Plus the dealership isn't out of my way.

Also, does Toyota recommend a new crush washer for the oil pan bolt each time?

I have a '95 LE.

[marc780]

Speaking of changing your own oil, where can I get some OEM Toyota oil filters at a discount? I'd be buying ten or so, however many a "case" is if that means a little more discount. I do kind of like going to the dealer for each oil filter though, $5.75 but free fountain drinks (next to the parts department is the waiting area, next to that are free fountain drinks). Plus the dealership isn't out of my way.

Internet? If you are buying that many at once i'd try e-bay. Almost 6 bucks a filter is a bit dear, to me, my approach is i get cheapo filters (any brand except fram!) for $3. And change my oil often (2,000 - 3,000).

Also, does Toyota recommend a new crush washer for the oil pan bolt each time?

The acid test for the washer is leakage, so before you remove the plug for the oil change, did it look like it is leaking? They use either a copper washer or a fiber paper type that is hard to find and only lasts a few changes before it gets shredded. I use a copper washer from home depot for a few cents, pretty much the same as toyota oem! And they are good for 5 or 10 changes.