My daughter is naive - put too much oil - 3 quarts in through the dipstick column - problems - PLEASE HELP!?!?

This same day a lot of oil leaked out where she parked. She had somebody check the oil. It didn't need any but they added a little in the right spot in the way. Later while driving a ton of smoke poured out of the tailpipes. Then the exact same thing happened again two days later after unneeded oil was added again. The next day another huge cloud of smoke came out. It lasts about 1 or 2 minutes and is worse when they accelerator is pressed. Is her car on its last leg or is this just excess oil burning out? Is there anything we can or should do to help the car? Would an oil change help?





The car is an 85 VW Cabriolet.





I know it sounds stupid, but it's she's young and it's her first car. Please save the sarcastic comments, though I'm sure it will be hard, and try to help us.





Thanks so much.My daughter is naive - put too much oil - 3 quarts in through the dipstick column - problems - PLEASE HELP!?!?
Ok no neither one of you are stupid. And this is not a stupid question. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.


First thing most of the smoke is most likely caused by you having over filled the car. It is blowing out getting on the hot exhaust, or blowing out through the PVC valve back into the intake and being burned causing the smoke.





The best thing you can do is take it to a Lube shop and have both the oil and oil filter changed first thing before you do anything.


See if that fixes your problem.


Also while you are there get them to give you and your daughter a quick lesson on how to check your oil, also where to add oil if you need to add oil.


Also have them give you and her a quick lesson on how you check the water (coolant) along with where to add windshield washer fluid as well.


Then the next trip when you have your oil changed get them to show you how to check the air pressure in your tires as well.





Now don't get worried and freak out of you car uses a little oil at that age, or leaks a little oil as well. That does not mean the car needs major repairs.





There can still be a lot of life left in it.My daughter is naive - put too much oil - 3 quarts in through the dipstick column - problems - PLEASE HELP!?!?
Drain the excess oil right away, or get an oil change and fill with the proper amount. Excess oil may blow out thorough the seals. Overfilling with oil may also cause the bottom of the crank to come in contact with the oil, aerating the oil as the engine spins, as air is not a lubricant you could have a lubrication failure and end up with a blown engine. Overfilling by half a quart or so is usually not an issue, any more than that will cause problems.
adding too much oil could have caused the oil seals to go, there could be oil going into the pistons, oil going into the piston causes grey reek out of the tailpipes, when engine warm to you smell oil around the exhaust at the front of the engine, take out one of the spark plugs and check to see if there is any oil on it and if not sure take it to a garage to get checked out hopefully this is a bit of help
having oil come out the tailpipe is a clear sign of to much oil. empty the oil and add the correct amount. you have an oil leak that you should find and fix that's why their was oil where it was parked the first time (possible valve cover gasket). if the smoke started after the oil was added and not before, just run it down the road until it clears up.20-30 minutes. after the oil level is corrected. and it is funny ha ha.sorry
Take the car to a shop and have them change the oil a the filter and and only the amount required in the owners manual it should only need about 4 quarts.Then have them show her where and how to check the oil.
Well it sounds as if you are just as naive/stupid. Take the car to get an oil change immediately. Problem solved.
There's nothing stupid with someone making an honest attempt at caring for their vehicle. What's truly stupid is when someone ignores maintenance schedules and complains when their vehicle fails.


Chances are, oil is splashed and spilled all over the exhaust manifolds. It is incredibly difficult to add oil through the dipstick tube. Check the oil level. If it is above the max, drain some out. Damage can occur at high revs with too much oil.


An engine cleaner or a couple minutes at a car wash (if they have a lower power engine cleaner) would help.
Excess oil will defeat the valve seals and the piston rings creating a lot of smoke on the outside and a lot of carbon on the inside. It should be o.k. though but I recommend a new oil level checker. An oil change to get the oil level correct would help. I once bought a Toyota where the lady had been putting diesel fuel in thinking it was oil. It was 5 quarts over full. She said she had been doing this for 6 months. I drained it and put in the correct amount of oil and it turned out to be one of the best running motors I have ever owned.
I don't understand why they are adding oil if it doesn't need it. I would drain all the oil out and change the filter. Look in the owners manual for the required amount of oil needed and add that amount. Run the engine for two min and let it sit for 5 before checking the dipstick level. Wipe the oil off the dipstick and check it again, it should be in the correct zone. Show your daughter how to check the oil level and how to read it, don't let anyone add oil if it is not needed.