So I found this thread over on the General Automotive forum, and I was very interested in the question about oil that the poster posed (at the end):

STi vs RX-8 (oh and a ? about overfilled oil)
No, this isn't a "which is better" post nor a "which should i buy" nor a racing post.

I met up with two coworkers today. One drives an STi, the other wanted to drive both my RX-8 and the STi. I also had a try with the STi.

My STi observations:

[actual observations deleted]

And so... I've taken my car for an oil change twice to the dealer. Both times they overfilled my oil. You know how the stick has the flat area and then two lines on the flat area? The oil is past the max line and almost hitting the rounded area. I even told them before that they overfilled the oil last time. They kinda reacted like "yeah uh huh, that's nice." And goddamn it, they did it again.

What should I do? Last time I just drove with it over the max line. I'm wondering if I should do it again. Or do I need to bring it in to get some oil drained? I shoudl've checked it after they gave my car back but I was in a rush. And they're closed tomorrow and I don't want to have to skip work. The top line on the flat part is the max line right? How bad is it to drive with a bit too much oil? It seems to drive fine...


Unfortunately, because of the way he structured his post, the sad-but-predictable result ensued: the nattering Nancy's prattled on for 13 pages arguing about the 8 vs. STi (whatever that is), and, as far as I was able to find, NOBODY ever actually answered the oil question.

So I put it to you, oh more thoughtful and helpful denizens of RX-8 Discussion: What bad things happen if you overfill the oil? At what point should one lose sleep over it?

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

It's been answered many, many times before. Try a search on "overfill oil" and you'll get lots of answers, such as this one:

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=67508&highlight=overfill+oil

And for the STI, this is it... :)

http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZA&trim=WRX_STI_SEDAN&command=overview

in the rotary pretyy much ignore it the dealers intentionally overfill it cause tards can;t chek their oil on a regualr basis. overfilling the rotary isn;t gonna blow it up or foam it like a piston engine will. there's no moving parts in conact with the oil. there's no cam or crankshaft that can beat the oil into a foam.

They also overfilled mine. It was where the stick goes round again.

The reason it happens, at least at Darcars, is they used a gallon jug of Mopar oil and let it drain, which is 1/2 quart too much. I bet most dealers also use gallon jugs.

I've had the dealer overfill mine too, but it hasn't caused any problems, and I've done Autocross and track days with it that way.

If it's way overfull, it pumps massive clouds of white smoke out the exhaust. Has happened to a few people, they just had the sump drained to the correct level and kept on truckin'......no worries.

And for the STI, this is it... :)

http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZA&trim=WRX_STI_SEDAN&command=overview


I wasn't aware they gave the STI the "Tribeca Treatment" on it's nose.

Subaru makes very good cars, but I never saw a manufacturer so hell-bent on making them as ugly as possible.

God, is that ghastly!!! Yeesh!

Subaru makes very good cars, but I never saw a manufacturer so hell-bent on making them as ugly as possible.


Then you've obviously never seen Citroens. ;)

Massive overfill can back up into the breather, into the air cleaner, and on to the filter.

You should check the pink side of the filter and if it has a huge black oil patch on it, or oil dripping from the airbox drain into the fans below, get a new filter from your dealer.

Been there, got the filter..... :(

S