Hello,

I have a 1995 XJ6 with 141K miles and the owners manual says it takes 8.4 quarts of oil, now the problem is that when it is filled with that amount of oil the level on the dipstick is way over the top of the mark, last Saturday I had the oil changed at the shop and the manager said "we only had to put in 7 quarts to get the oil level to the top of the mark, we triple-checked that", so if you guys think I should add more oil, not add any, or otherwise how I should proceed I would be interested in your opinions.

 

The listed capacity is what it would take to fill a bone dry freshly assembled engine.

When doing an oil change you would never use up that same amount due to residual oil that does not drain out.

Always check your oil level yourself after an oil change just to be in the right ball park.

Then, the most accurate check is to check in the morning before you have started the car.

 

Pretty weird.

I can't believe they wouldn't do this but gotta ask: did they start the engine, run for a few seconds, turn off, let it sit for a few minutes, and then check? The filter holds a quart or so. It wouldn't get filled without starting the engine

Does it look like the dipstick (or tube) has been replaced, or altered?

When I refill mine with 8.5 quarts the reading is smack dab on the "full" mark.

Cheers
DD

 

"Never"? Really?


"Never" is such as dangerous word. Right up there with "always"


I refill mine with 8.5 quarts and it comes out perfectly every time!


Cheers
DD

 

Ok, I'll play

There are sometimes two specs .. one from bone dry, one for refill.

so ...

the spec is something i use when looking at my oil stash before pulling the drain plug on the same car that will be needed to go get more if i don't have enough

after draining ... and replacing the drain plug

add "the spec" less some

check level, add as needed to get to the full mark

run briefly

check for leaks

check level, adjust as required

check again after engine has been idle for several hours, for most people this is in the morning ... not so much for people posting messages in the wee hours on JF.

there was a time when everyone knew all of the above without benefit of the internet by the time they got their license.

Common usage for "always" and "never":

always avoid ethanol
never use fuel with ethanol

 

Agree. I install 8.5 quarts, run the engine for a few minutes to check for leaks, the leave it till the next morning. Before starting the engine I check the dipstick. The oil level is exactly correct each time.

 

I have a '95 XJ6 like the OP, and if I put in 8.5 quarts mine too is overfilled. Mine takes 8 quarts, though, not 7.