Changed my oil the other day and... I only was able to remove 4 quarts.

theRedStorm

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Only about 4 quarts came out during the oil change. I don't think this is normal. I ended up filling 6 quarts into the car. Motorcraft 5w 20 synthetic blend.
Should I be worried I overfilled the engine? Should I drain some new oil?
I'm scared to drive my car.
2005 mustang gt 4.6L with hot rod cams and jlt series 3 + kooks long tube headers

Thanks :)
 

WJBertrand

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What is the specified capacity? Sounds like maybe your oil level was low if 6 is the specified amount.


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theRedStorm

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It's supposed to be 6 quarts per oil change

I never got a warning light nor did the dipstick look low prior
 
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Dino Dino Bambino

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If your oil level was normal before you drained four quarts, and you then added six quarts, your engine should now be two quarts overfilled.
What's the oil level on the dipstick?
 

Pentalab

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Drain the oil on a 05-10 4.L V8, then toss the oil filter. In goes 6 qts. Dipstick is now close to top line. Between bottom + top line is .4 qt. If he was 2 qts low, he would see that asap...as in WAY below bottom line.
 

01yellerCobra

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Drain the oil on a 05-10 4.L V8, then toss the oil filter. In goes 6 qts. Dipstick is now close to top line. Between bottom + top line is .4 qt. If he was 2 qts low, he would see that asap...as in WAY below bottom line.

You're assuming he checked the oil before the change.
 

DiMora

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Ummm...

Dipstick it. If it reads high, you might have overfilled it. If it reads good, let her rip.

If you overfilled, drain out a quart or two then dipstick it and had a half quart at a time until it reads full.

As stated above, you might have been driving 2 quarts low before the oil change, thus only getting 4 quarts out.
 

Dino Dino Bambino

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As stated above, you might have been driving 2 quarts low before the oil change, thus only getting 4 quarts out.

The OP said that the oil level wasn't low on the dipstick, and there was no oil level warning light, before he drained the old oil. It's possible that he simply hasn't drained all of it even after accounting for the ~1/2 quart from the oil filter.
 
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nbk13nw

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I had the same concern last weekend. The dip stick showed mid range on oil level. Drained the oil with the car on a slant, car facing slightly uphill. Only got 4 quarts out. Hard to believe that 2 quarts are still in the car after draining.
 

theRedStorm

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So to be safe, I did another oil change. Turns out there was 7 quarts in the car. Glad I didn't drive it. I emptied it all and waited 15 mins for it to completely drain. And now filled it with 6 quarts.

Dumb mistake /lesson learned on my part
 

Norm Peterson

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↑↑↑ So it was only one quart low before changing it the first time here.

It might not have looked low if you didn't wipe the dipstick off and re-insert it to get the real reading . . .


Norm
 

Laga

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So to be safe, I did another oil change. Turns out there was 7 quarts in the car. Glad I didn't drive it. I emptied it all and waited 15 mins for it to completely drain. And now filled it with 6 quarts.

Dumb mistake /lesson learned on my part
I’ve driven my 2005 Mustang Gt with 7 quarts in it since new. In fact , every V8 I’ve owned or work truck I’ve maintained has had an extra quart. V6’s and 4’s get an extra half quart.
 

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