dealership overfilled my new truck's crankcase!

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

I bought a new to me 09 chevy 1500 yesterday. Checked the oil for the first time today, and it was way over full. I drained out SIX extra quarts of oil. I know I should have checked the oil before I drove off the lot, but I was just too excited about the deal I just made on it.

I drove it about 100 miles like this, should I be worried about damage!?!? It is a 4.8.

Here is a pic of the new ride anyway...please tell me I have nothing to worry about!



I know this should have been posted in the 07 and up forum, but I need some feedback on this fast, I'm going back in the morning to get new tires put on (their dime) and I need to know what I need to do. I already have the six quarts of oil bottled up to had back to them when I pull into the service bay.

[bouncytruck]

Did you inform the dealership immediately?

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

Did you inform the dealership immediately?

I just caught it tonight, like 2 hours ago. I have an appointment with them tomorrow morning to have new tires put on, I will be telling them then, and handing them their six extra quarts of oil back.

[68C15]

was it smoking out the pipe? if not I think you'll be OK.
it wouldn't hurt to have some agreement written up where they will cover any seal or gasket issues for a year or so.

[Classic Heartbeat]

I would make sure that it is all oil. If it is oil mixed with gas you could have another problem. WES

[GOPAPA]

Sounds like the dealer forgot that he didnt drain out the old before he added the new ..I dont know how you would prove it or get them to admit to it in writing but it's worth a try.. good luck

Nice truck by the way ,hope it stays healthy ..

[truckdude239]

umm i probably wouldn't have drained it but took ti right back they will not believe that the oil was in it

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Originally Posted by truckdude239

umm i probably wouldn't have drained it but took ti right back they will not believe that the oil was in it

yeah, then they could have said that I put it in there. I was not about to drive the truck 50 miles knowing that there were 6 extra quarts of oil in it.

I took it back today and gave them their extra six quarts of oil back to them, in empty milk jugs. I let them have it but good. I made them note in the service records that their tech overfilled it. I had them inspect the front and rear mains for leaks, and there were none. They assured me that any damage will be covered under the 100k power train warranty.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

I would make sure that it is all oil. If it is oil mixed with gas you could have another problem. WES

Thanks wes, the first thing I did was to inspect for water and smell for gas in the oil.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

Sounds like the dealer forgot that he didnt drain out the old before he added the new ..I dont know how you would prove it or get them to admit to it in writing but it's worth a try.. good luck

Nice truck by the way ,hope it stays healthy ..

That is the thing Papa, there is no way to really hold them accountable for this. I am sure the truck is fine, the situation just pisses me off.

[LEEVON]

Nice truck, I should have gotten the crew cab The dealership overfilled my engine on the first oil change. I didn't get worried about it and 30K miles later it's fine. Remember there is a 100K drivetrain warranty.

[68GMCCustom]

I've seen tires at double the max pressure....1st time for oil though!

[Longhorn Man]

your cats can clog up super quick after a 6 quart overfill. The oil ends up in the cylinders, burns, and clogs the small areas in the cat, then it builds up with normal crap that should flow through, and before you know it, you need a $1500 y pipe, and don't try to skimp with the aftermarket cats, they hardly work (if you need to pass smog tests) and they clog up quicker than the stock ones.

[Longhorn Man]

and I think the smog system is only covered for 50 or maybe 75,000 miles, not under the 100K powertrain.

[screwballl]

Also double check the paperwork, many times the new warranties since this whole economic crash, they word it as "5 years OR 100K miles, whichever comes first." and not the old original 100K no matter what.

My problem is that many places under-fill mine. I have a 4.7L in my Durango and half the time they put in 4 1/2 to 5 qts, when it requires 6 qts., plus a little for the filter.

[jf781]

My 09 was the same way (5.3). I wouldn't worry to much about it cause mine takes a little over 5 quarts to top off so just being 1/2 - 3/4 quart over isn't alot.

I was worried ar first as well but then I read up on it and alot of guys that run their LSx hard put an extra quart in anyway for protection. Supposedly there is alot of room in the bottom end of these that a little overfill like that should't hurt.

I've got almost 25k on mine right now without a single issue. Just keep an eye on it and enjoy your new truck. Plus you do have the 100k powertrain warranty. Nice color choice btw.

[MONTEZ]

Beats what happened with my wife's 08 jetta. We take it to the dealer for all maintenece and service. Both the high and low fuel pressure sensors went out at 24.5k miles. We had it towed in to get it warrantied and I told them since it was there to go ahead and change the oil since it was due at 25k. The oil gets changed every 5k so this oil already had 4.5k on it. My wife went to pick up the car and paid it out and stuck the service reciept in the glove box like always.

Well 30k rolls around and she takes it back to have the oil changed again. She calls me pissed off because they told here she missed here 25k oil change and the engine was not only low on oil but it was extremely filthy oil. They told her they would not validate her engine warranty anymore do to negelant ownership. So I make the 1 hour drive to talk to the service manager. He gives me the whole how bad this is for the engine spill. I told him to hang on for a second. Walked out to the car and brought back the receipt showing we paid for the oil cange at 24.5k miles.

Turns out, they changed the sticker on the window and reset the reminder in the dash, charged us for it but never changed the oil. Now the story changes, Oh we are soory sir, but it's full synthetic oil and and extra 5k on it wont hurt it at all. Well of course I reminded them of what they said previously and told them I was going direct to the VW corp with a complaint. Well now I have a free 100k extended warranty and free oil changes till the warranty is out. Being that I doubt we'll keep it that long, I guess it turned out ok in the end.

[grayharville]

I used to have an old 84 3/4 ton chevy, and i decided to change the oil. i drained the pan, pulled the filter, replaced the filter, put the plug back in the pan, got up, went to the shelf, grabbed 5 quarts of the "blue bottled chevron delo 400 motor oil", filled her up, let her run a bit, killed the truck and started cleaning up my mess. i picked up the empty blue oil jugs and looked at it, then another, they all read "chevron automatic transmission fluid" OHHH SH**!! lol ever since that little mix up i have stored my motor oil and tranny fluid on different shelves and im sure to double check the labels.

[Thealien]

My DD Vehicle takes 4.5 quarts. Every dealership or independant shop has always put 5 quarts in it. I ask everyone of them if anybody checks the dipstick? <<<<<<<crickets>>>>>>>>!!

I am an electrician and throw the light switch before I leave.