A moment of stupidity!!

sawood12 · May 31, 2008

Well i've just done something really stupid - not to my 944 I hasten to add. I've carried out the annual service on the Focus today and had it in my head she needed just over 5litres of oil. So I poured in 5 litres to check the dipstck and it appeared that I had overfilled - though it was really difficult to tell as the oil is so thin (5w30) it doesn't cling to the dipstick very well. So I checked the Haynes manual which said she only needs 4.25litres!! So it appears i've overfilled by about 0.75litres[

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The question is what is the best way of draining off the excess? I can either slacken off the sump plug until I get a slow stream or the oil filter.

I guess a 0.75 litre overfill is a bit too much to leave as is? She doesn't really use any oil so it wont be consumed over the coming weeks of use.

Diver944 · May 31, 2008

I would either slacken off the sump plug as you suggest or maybe try siphoning through the filler cap or dipstick (if your lungs are strong enough to suck up 5w30 [

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stevespic · May 31, 2008

Sump nut... It will only take you a couple of mins...[

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Neil Haughey · Jun 1, 2008

Buy an oil/fluid extractor pump. I have one I got from Screwfix last year. Brilliant for doing regular interim oil changes because you just pop the syphon pipe down the dipstick hole, pump up the vacuum container and walk away. No real effort and practically no mess (well if one ignores the oil filter).

To get one litre or so out just watch it fill to 1 litre on the container and pull the syphon tube out of the sump.

peanut · Jun 1, 2008

don't be tempted to start and run it as the excess pressure can blow gaskets . If the oil is thin you might be able to use a thin tube (windscreen washer tubing ?)and small pump like a windscreen washer pump maybe or a small pond pump ?

morris944s2john · Jun 1, 2008

I would agree with Paul, drain off the excess, if you use a clean container it can be re-used as all the engine oil should now be clean.

I allways check the manual and put just under that amount in, checking the dipstick often, Then when full, run the engine for a few seconds (oil light out) then recheck the level and top up to the mark.