Oil Level, Overfilled?

RubiconJKHR

RubiconJKHR

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Joined
Mar 9, 2023
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Location
Nova Scotia
Hey everyone,
I’m new to the forum and was wondering if anyone would have any advice on whether or not my 2016 Rubicon’s 3.6L has the correct amount of oil? I’m having difficulty reading the dipstick. I have a feeling that it had been overfilled when I had my last oil change at the dealership because I have a leaking oil cooler, and have lost a decent amount of oil on my driveway but to me the dipstick appears to read that the level is okay. Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated! Glad to be a member of the forum!!
Attached are the pictures from my first dipstick reading (after having wiped it clean prior).

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I’m getting different readings each time I check the dipstick. These photos are from readings that were done right after each other. Attached is the second reading.

53A8B1D2-7F37-476A-8420-68C37786296A.jpeg


EF9F3FEE-AD79-4A97-809B-B1FD2D669FC6.jpeg
 
A little more info, are you checking your oil right after shutting it off?

On a level surface?
 
BLACKJKU said:
To be honest the best time to check your oil is when the engine is cold or not running for al least a hour. That way it gives the oil to go from the top of the engine to the oil pan.
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Okay, good to know. I appreciate it!
So when the engine is cold, where should the ideal reading be on the dipstick? Is it in the middle?
I will try it again tomorrow, and post a pic.
 
RubiconJKHR said:
These checks were done 5 mins after shutting off and on a level surface.
Click to expand...
If the photographs are in temporal order you are probably seeing oil draining to the pan. The last two show what looks like a proper level. The oil would be warm, so the level would reduce a little as it cools. So, you could have had the engine overfilled. The amount is listed as 6 quarts. What follows is speculation. Given how the oil filter is mounted I would think it would drain, but, perhaps if the filter was not changed, suction might have prevented it from emptying during the oil change. That would result in excess oil if a full 6 quarts was added. However, another issue that might be rearing its head is the oil filter housing being plastic on (many?) stock 3.6Ls. The housing can crack and leak. I would suggest cleaning the filter housing and cooler of any visible oil and running it for awhile, monitoring whether new oil appears. If it does I would consider replacing the stock housing with an aluminum after market one.
 
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Duster said:
If the photographs are in temporal order you are probably seeing oil draining to the pan. The last two show what looks like a proper level. The oil would be warm, so the level would reduce a little as it cools. So, you could have had the engine overfilled. The amount is listed as 6 quarts. What follows is speculation. Given how the oil filter is mounted I would think it would drain, but, perhaps if the filter was not changed, suction might have prevented it from emptying during the oil change. That would result in excess oil if a full 6 quarts was added. However, another issue that might be rearing its head is the oil filter housing being plastic on (many?) stock 3.6Ls. The housing can crack and leak. I would suggest cleaning the filter housing and cooler of any visible oil and running it for awhile, monitoring whether new oil appears. If it does I would consider replacing the stock housing with an aluminum after market one.
Click to expand...
Hey thanks for the reply! Yes the pictures were uploaded in order. I’m very certain the oil cooler is leaking. I plan on replacing it myself with the aluminum version but unfortunately I don’t have a garage and have to wait until the weather gets warmer. I was just shocked on how I’ve lost a decent amount of oil on my driveway and yet I still seem to be reading okay on the dipstick, so that’s why I assumed it must’ve been over filled. I can only hope that the dealership changed the oil filter. And I had read some where that if the oil filter was over tightened it could cause a leaking oil cooler. Needless to say I plan on changing my oil going forward. I was just being lazy and didn’t want to have to deal with disposing of the oil, but this is what I get…😒
 
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RubiconJKHR said:
Hey thanks for the reply! Yes the pictures were uploaded in order. I’m very certain the oil cooler is leaking. I plan on replacing it myself with the aluminum version but unfortunately I don’t have a garage and have to wait until the weather gets warmer. I was just shocked on how I’ve lost a decent amount of oil on my driveway and yet I still seem to be reading okay on the dipstick, so that’s why I assumed it must’ve been over filled. I can only hope that the dealership changed the oil filter. And I had read some where that if the oil filter was over tightened it could cause a leaking oil cooler. Needless to say I plan on changing my oil going forward. I was just being lazy and didn’t want to have to deal with disposing of the oil, but this is what I get…😒
Click to expand...
One possible reassurance is that oil forms a films, so a relatively small amount can make what looks like a huge stain. I can understand that problem with no garage. I do have one, but the driveway is really narrow with houses on either side, and mine is brick clad as well. The development I live in was built in the 1920s, and the typical car was a lot narrower. So I have to work on the driveway out front to the occasional dismay of my neighbors.
 
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Single car garages are tough. We have a two car garage, and between the tool chest, work bench’s and miscellaneous tools and other stuff it gets tight in there when working on one Jeep. I’d never make it with a single car garage, that as to be tough especially when one can’t finish the task the same day.
 
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