Need some ideas

[SJC]

I took my 2003 CTS to a local Mr Tire to have the tires replaced and a alignment done and ask them to do an oil change since it was down to about 5% life left. Well the tires are fine the car tracks good but I have had it back for an oil smell 4 times now the last time they told me that the valve covers were lose and they tightened them down and replace the cabin air filter since it smelled of oil also. I took the car back about 6 days after the initial visit when the wife told me about the smell. When there the manager told me that it was overfilled, the Owners manual says not to do this due to engine damage what kind of damage are we talking about
TIA
Steve

[SvB4EvA]

Originally Posted by SJC

I took my 2003 CTS to a local Mr Tire to have the tires replaced and a alignment done and ask them to do an oil change since it was down to about 5% life left. Well the tires are fine the car tracks good but I have had it back for an oil smell 4 times now the last time they told me that the valve covers were lose and they tightened them down and replace the cabin air filter since it smelled of oil also. I took the car back about 6 days after the initial visit when the wife told me about the smell. When there the manager told me that it was overfilled, the Owners manual says not to do this due to engine damage what kind of damage are we talking about
TIA
Steve

Too much oil can be just as bad as no oil. There is a point where the oil can reach the height of the crankshaft, and this whips the oil into a froth. Oil with lots of air in it does not lubricate well. Tiny little air bubbles in places they should NOT be can really do a number on an engine. The result can be the same kind of problems you would have running a car without oil...e.g. bearing failure, piston seizure

I wouldn't really worry about 1/2 a quart too much. But who knows how much they put in? Did he redo the oil and properly fill it?

[JimmyH]

I changed the oil recently on the V, and accidentally spilled some while filling. It landed on the exhaust manifold, and the next time I drove it, the whole car reeked of burnt oil. But only for a couple miles, then it went away. Maybe they spilled alot?

I always underfill when doing an oil change. I fill it to the bottom of the marker. There is a big difference in power between overfilled and not.