too much oil, smoke everywhere, help :(

[skEwb]

My car said low oil today and so I decided to put in more oil about 1/2 quart I thought would do it, because that's when the sensor goes off usually. So I checked the levels, but now I find out you can't check on a hot engine.. well I did something really dumb I added 3 more quarts.. and the next thing I know I'm going down the road with huge clouds of smoke behind me. I let the car cool off all day and took out A LOT of oil until the dipstick read FULL. Now it runs fine there are no warning lights, it's not overheating the pressure is right on 60, but it still smokes big time. What could be wrong? This is a 98 3.8. Thanks! [img]graemlins/crybaby.gif[/img]

[Camaro Bob]

what color is the smoke? Does it have a bluish hue? Is it really white and fluffy? Does it smess sweet at all? More info please

[skEwb]

It's kinda blue. It doesnt smell sweet kinda stinks. I drove it around town some more and the smoke is gone now, the car doesnt overheat and there arent any lights on. The only different thing now is that the oil pressure is way lower, it now sits at the first marker (the one between 0 and 60 psi) which is either 40 or 20. It does not sit at the 60 anymore like it used to. It only goes to 60 when I accelerate or when I took it for a test ride on the highway. So it's only up to 60 if the rpms are higher. Seems to run fine, I don't know what could be wrong now.

[ April 23, 2003: Message edited by: skEwb ]</p>

[pvtschultz]

All that extra oil is probably stuck in you cat and the rest of your exhaust. It is going to take some time for it to all burn out. Just be patient and keep tabs on your enging and your o2 sensors just in case they got fouled up.

[whtefbrd96]

When you overfill your oil it allows the bottom of the crank to come in conatact with it and cause it to ger airated (sp??) anyways when air gets trapped in oil it takes alot of time for it to get out.. i would HIGHLY suggest to change you oil. and i dont know about the whole oil being in cat thing but change your oil and see what that does for your pressure.

and ps BAD YOU for letting that light come on !! [img]graemlins/evilgrin.gif[/img]

[John D.]

Could have spit a bunch of it out the dipstick tube as well. Did you check your engine to see if it is covered in oil?

A hot engine will have the same amount of oil as a cool engine. The only time you don't want to check your oil is when it is running. I'm not sure who told you that but they were wrong.

[SilverTAWS6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by John D.:
Could have spit a bunch of it out the dipstick tube as well. Did you check your engine to see if it is covered in oil?

A hot engine will have the same amount of oil as a cool engine. The only time you don't want to check your oil is when it is running. I'm not sure who told you that but they were wrong.<hr></blockquote>


True, but if you've ever checked an engine that was just running and hot, you won't get an accurate reading b/c the oil hasn't drained all down yet. When I check my engine after just being run, it reads lower and I can see the extra oil on the dipstick that's settling down.

Usually low oil means pretty darn low. Try not to get it down that far, it's really bad for the engine.

Chris

[wickedfirebird]

the dipsticks on a 98, maybe others ,gets diverted when it comes out of the dipstick holder in the oil pan,therefore showing low oil ...there is a replacement dipstick holder that will take care of this ....best thing to do for now is to drain the oil ,change filter and refill with 4.5 qts or 5.0 qts depending on the filter you use

[wickedfirebird]

Gmtech1005
Veteran


Member # 2887
posted December 07, 2002 07:19 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a Technician for a pontiac dealership, and This is the GM bulletin for your car...This is the EXACT same bulletin that the dealerships use.
Document ID # 719039
1998 Pontiac Firebird

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No Oil Indicated On Dipstick (Replace Dipstick Tube and Dipstick) #00-06-01-011 - (05/01/2000)
No Oil Indicated On Dipstick (Replace Dipstick Tube And Dipstick)
1996-99 Chevrolet Camaro

1996-99 Pontiac Firebird

with 3.8 L V6 engine (VIN K -- RPO L36)

Condition
Some customers may comment on a no oil reading when checking the oil with the dipstick, even though the engine has oil in it.

Cause
In certain cases, the dipstick may come in contact with the windage tray and deflect away from the oil in the crankcase. This may cause a no oil reading on the dipstick.

Correction
Replace the dipstick and dipstick tube with new parts listed below. See figure for identification of prior dipstick tube and new dipstick tube.

Parts Information
Part Number
Description

12564961
Dipstick Tube - Replaces 24505124

24505407
Indicator (Dipstick)


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

J0930
Tube, Oil level indicator - replace
Use published labor operation time

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information. WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

found this hope it helps

[r&ksport]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by John D.:
Could have spit a bunch of it out the dipstick tube as well. Did you check your engine to see if it is covered in oil?

A hot engine will have the same amount of oil as a cool engine. The only time you don't want to check your oil is when it is running. I'm not sure who told you that but they were wrong.<hr></blockquote>

From what I understand that's not true. For some vehicles that may be the case, but not all.

I have a '96 Subaru and it will show different levels compared to hot and cold check. The owners manual even confirms this as does GM's manual for LS1 V8's in Firebirds and Camaros.

Check oil when hot...

The change on the dipstick is the result of thermal expansion. As oil gets hotter it actually take up more space than when it's cold.

Hope that helps...

[ April 26, 2003: Message edited by: r&ksport ]</p>

[chas]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> The change on the dipstick is the result of thermal expansion. As oil gets hotter it actually take up more space than when it's cold. <hr></blockquote>

most liquids (oil being one of them) dont expand a great deal when heated. i think its pretty safe to ignore any volume increase due to heating.

silvertaws6 is right. you cant check hot oil since a fair bit of it will still be in the upper half of the engine draining down. you need to wait atleast 15 minutes for the oil to drain down before checking the level. IF, your dipstick has a 'FULL HOT' on it, then you could check right after shutting down. i wouldnt.

high oil levels will splash around and foam due to the crankshaft. this helps it get past the oil control rings on the pistons and into the cylinders. so yes, oil will get into the exhaust and need to be burned off. you should follow the previous advice and get the oil changed and get the level right. after that, get the carbon cleaned out of the cylinders (seafoam, techron, etc)

[Jason McCallister]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by chas:
silvertaws6 is right. you cant check hot oil since a fair bit of it will still be in the upper half of the engine draining down.<hr></blockquote>

I would normally agree with you for any other vehicle, but after reading the owner's manual (link below) for my 2000, it says otherwise! :eek:

http://www.wtfba.org/temp/oil.pdf

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>you need to wait atleast 15 minutes for the oil to drain down before checking the level<hr></blockquote>

Our dipsticks have a warm range on them for checking the oil when warm. It recommends waiting a few minutes.

[ April 26, 2003: Message edited by: Jason McCallister ]</p>

[chas]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> Our dipsticks have a warm range on them for checking the oil when warm. It recommends waiting a few minutes. <hr></blockquote>

that's pretty scary. wait a 'few minutes' -- how many is a few? this varies from person to person so you could getting any number of readings. i suppose it should only be considered an 'educated guess'.

if you ever get a low oil light (and yes, i have--i used to have a ford) and you cant wait for the engine to cool down add one quart. if the light doesnt go off, add another quart. dont try to gauge (or gage in gm-ese) how much is missing with the dipstick. you are just trying to keep the oil pump's intake submerged.

[Jason McCallister]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by chas:
if you ever get a low oil light (and yes, i have--i used to have a ford)<hr></blockquote>

[img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>wait a 'few minutes' -- how many is a few? <hr></blockquote>

If the book recommends checking at each fuel stop, I'd say no more than 2 or 3 minutes. *shrugs shoulders* I've never checked the oil when warm....

[wickedfirebird]

whatever