My owner's manual for my 1988 stock V6 GT says the oil capacity of the crankcase is 4 quarts. I read in one of these threads (discussing oil pressure) that the crankcase should be filled to 5 quarts. The manual says that overfilling beyond 4 quarts can cause damage to the engine. What is the correct amount of oil that should be in the crankcase? Thanks.
The manuals state that because that is what the capacities are using the original "shorty" style oil filter.
Most individuals that have been around Fieros for a long time and own a Fiero with the L44 2.8L V6 utilize the AC Delco PF52 (or otherwise equivalent brand) oil filter, which has a higher capacity. It ups the engine oil capacity to around 4.8-4.9 quarts, which you can fill it with an even five quarts and it will not damage the engine. The advantages as to why you would want to have more oil is both to help keep oil levels high if you have a minor oil leak, and it can also assist with engines that may otherwise have questionable oil pressure readings.
Using this setup will not damage the engine because if you use the longer oil filter you have more room for the oil in the crankcase. The potential for damage that the owners manual warns you about is that an engine with overfilled oil has to work harder to push it all through. Eventually, the oil begins to foam and create air pockets, which impede lubrication.
Yea to go off that I use a regular fram tough guard filter and fill to 4.5 quarts.. never had a problem..
-Conner
Fram oil filter's are very cheaply made and shouldn't be recommended. Either a bosch or mobil 1 are the only two I will ever use. I've had fram filter's cause more harm than good.
Fram oil filter's are very cheaply made and shouldn't be recommended. Either a bosch or mobil 1 are the only two I will ever use. I've had fram filter's cause more harm than good.
I've never heard of a problem with Fram. Can you elaborate on the issues you are referring to? Was it proven to be related to the filter?
Fram oil filter's are very cheaply made and shouldn't be recommended. Either a bosch or mobil 1 are the only two I will ever use. I've had fram filter's cause more harm than good.
I've never had a problem with it either but I also don't drive my car hard at all and I now use purolator filters. Would there be any facts to back up your claim?
P.S. Not being a d*ck just wondering.
[This message has been edited by gmctyphoon1992 (edited 07-13-2014).]
The thing about checking oil level after a change is also that you should run the engine for minute, shut it off and wait a few minutes, then check the level. Otherwise it hasnt been run thru the new filter yet.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 07-14-2014).]
Originally posted by Fiero84Freak: (snip) it can also assist with engines that may otherwise have questionable oil pressure readings. (snip)
The potential for damage that the owners manual warns you about is that an engine with overfilled oil has to work harder to push it all through. (snip)
This is is not accurate information.....
More oil in the crankcase will not affect oil pressure readings unless there is an oil drain back issue due to sludge buildup on the heads, plugging the drain holes, and causing pump starvation due to inadequate oil level in the oil pan. Oil pressure is determined by pump volume, pump pressure curve and bearing clearances.
More oil in the crankcase does not make the engine work harder to push the oil through.... If the oil level is too high there could be contact between the crankshaft and the top of the oil in the pan that would cause extreme frothing of the oil, reducing oil pressure due to pump cavitation.
I've never heard of a problem with Fram. Can you elaborate on the issues you are referring to? Was it proven to be related to the filter?
Though it seems to depend on if you get the cheapest FRAM, they have always been rated one of the cheapest quality and components in any test I have read. Many times it is failure of the anti drainback valve, this could depend on what engine too regarding the configuration of the mount of the filter.
Though it seems to depend on if you get the cheapest FRAM, they have always been rated one of the cheapest quality and components in any test I have read. Many times it is failure of the anti drainback valve, this could depend on what engine too regarding the configuration of the mount of the filter.
I will do a bit more research for myself and pay more attention with the filter I buy. For the record, I've frequently used a Fram filter in the past and never had an issue...but then how would one notice issues unless you have a catastrophic failure related to the filter. I plan on opening all my filters from now on and inspecting closely after use.
Originally posted by olejoedad: If the oil level is too high there could be contact between the crankshaft and the top of the oil in the pan that would cause extreme frothing of the oil, reducing oil pressure due to pump cavitation.
This is the main concern with overfilling oil as far as I know as well.
As for filters. I think if you are changing every 3-4K, it really doesn't matter what filter you use. I had a puroilater filter come apart when I removed it (cartridge type). I never had a problem with Fram. Frankly, I think that if the filter meets OEM specs, it is fine, no matter what. It isn't a lifetime part
BTW, I have 170+K on my Aztek and I have pretty much used Fram filters all the time because they are on the shelf and they have the rubber grip coating which makes them easy to install and remove.
I've never had a problem with it either but I also don't drive my car hard at all and I now use purolator filters. Would there be any facts to back up your claim?
