Oil change question

[osukellen]

Hey,
Just changed the oil for the first time. Got almost 5 quarts out. (19 cups=4.75 quarts). Put exact amount back in, and now the dipstick is reading about an inch and half above full.

So 2 questions...
Haven't started it up yet, but is this typical before starting to have the dipstick read like this? Measured twice to make sure I had the right #.

What is the actual oil capacity for a '94 Ski? All I can find in my manual is the oil PAN capacity. It says 4 qts.

Thanks!

[TRST]

The filter is empty until you start it up. That should bring your level back to full.

[TRDon]

If you havent "primed" the filter by puting some oil in there before you start it, you will be high on the dipstick. That and starting the boat with no oil pressure until oil goes through the filter isnt a smart thing either. You should really put as much oil in the filter as you can before you screw it on.

[AirTool]

Hey,
Just changed the oil for the first time. Got almost 5 quarts out. (19 cups=4.75 quarts). Put exact amount back in, and now the dipstick is reading about an inch and half above full.

Was the oil you drained out HOT when you measured it? If so, what was the volume after it cooled?

[osukellen]

Thanks for the replys, I drained the oil cold so it shouldn't be a change in volume. I put as much oil in the filter as I could before it would leak out while screwing it on. I would say maybe filled it 1/4 full.

Any thoughts?

[AirTool]

Amazing you got that much oil out when it was cold. Did you suck it out or let it drain? ....if drain, how long did you let it go?

Back to the level. Are you checking the oil with the boat at the same level? e.g. in the water vs. trailer and position of trailer jack?

[laurie8888]

if its the first change maybe the previuos owner had too much oil in pan originally and moreover as you drained it cold then possibly you have not drained all the oil and just re filled to the original over full level

other than that cant think of any logical reason level is 1.5 inches above full.......thats an awful lot


try warming engine up and drain and then re fill

[osukellen]

I let it drain cold, and it came out very easy. Most of it was drained within about 2 hours, but I let it sit overnight just to make sure I got as much as possible.

When I get home I will make sure that the height of the tongue/jack is the same, maybe that is the cause. I usually check it when hooked up to the truck, so I will see if it is much lower. If that is not it, I will re-measure...still have the oil.

Always read "full" before.

Anyone know the oil capacity? Can't find anything except 4qt pan capacity?

Thanks again

[AirTool]

If you haven't at least started your engine yet, you need to. The level will go down once the pump and filter and mainly hoses to the filter fill up. There are other places the oil will pocket.

[osukellen]

Good suggestion AirTool.

I did figure it out though, as someone mentioned the trailer jack was very low...raised it up to level and the oil is perfect.

Thanks all, should have checked that to begin with.