My 2006 XLC manual says – when checking oil level when COLD, if oil is at or below the lower level of dipstick, then add half a quart.

Well, I check the oil today after 2 weeks of sitting. The oil level didn’t even register on the dipstick, so I added almost a quart to get it to read about a quarter above the lower level line on the dipstick.

I took it for a ride today and after 15 miles decided to check the oil level after 3 hours (the oil was still a tad bit warm). It read off the charts totally above the Full line. How can this be; when COLD the oil level didn’t even register? Now I’m thinking I overfilled it.

 

Unfortunately you have fallen into a trap! You did indeed over-fill it. Next time check your oil level when cold, but shortly after you have had a decent ride out on it, before it finds itself somewhere more fun to hide than in the oil tank.

 

Well Ill disagree with the ol chap Always check oil warm soon after shutting down. The reason yours was low after sitting is the oil makes its way back to the engine over time. After you put in a quart then started it, the engine pumped all that oil back to the tank, now its overfull.

 

Oil will bleed down through the oil pump and check ball near filter after a few days. Always check oil when warm/hot soon after a ride. Keep it halfway between marks or slightly below.

John

 

Yep, overfilled. Manual says add half quart to avoid just that, then let it run a little to recirculate. Explanation engine-side given above. Part of your oil wil make it back to the crankcase, thus giving you a false low reading when you check your oil cold - we are supposed to check the oil when warmed up (=recirculated by the engine-driven pump). Again, the manual gives the right hint, this is our dry sump engine behaviour.