Long Term Oil issues

[Ragincajun]

So I bought an 18 JLUR with 31k miles on it last week. I was reading through the forum and saw the whole 6 qt issue. Sure enough, I went outside last night and it seems to have 6qts. I am going to let a qt out tonight. I know the Possible issues associated with this such as seals, etc. however I am not super knowledgeable on it. If I switch to 5 qts here on out should the engine be good? I am concerned that it was at 6 qts for the last 31k miles. Perhaps the previous owner had them all at 5 qts, and the dealership just did an oil change when they put it on the lot. Should I be concerned? Should I try and take it back?

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[Jeepney18]

The dealership I took mine too told me that they did put 5 quarts even though the paperwork said 6. I took out over 1 quart of oil that night and have it saved in a bottle, as proof.

You shouldn't be driving it but i think the only way they'll see that a mistake was made is if you bring it back so they can see for themselves.

Maybe you should watch and record while they're doing it too, if you're comfortable doing that.

 

[Headbarcode]

If the previous owner was using the free jeep wave oil changes at that same dealer, its a possibility that the engine has been overfilled from day one.

When the pan is overfilled, the connecting rod journals on the crankshaft can hit the surface of the pool of oil. This quickly results in foaming of the oil. These air bubbles will cause reduced lubrication and cooling to critical areas.

Far too many factors involved to predict long term effects. Some could be found out, some will always be a mystery.
How was it driven?
Was full synthetic used, or not?
Etc
Etc

If everything sounds normal, especially the top end, than there shouldn't be any need for concern. Treat it to a quality full synthetic oil and enjoy the new ride.

 

[Ragincajun]

If the previous owner was using the free jeep wave oil changes at that same dealer, its a possibility that the engine has been overfilled from day one.

When the pan is overfilled, the connecting rod journals on the crankshaft can hit the surface of the pool of oil. This quickly results in foaming of the oil. These air bubbles will cause reduced lubrication and cooling to critical areas.

Far too many factors involved to predict long term effects. Some could be found out, some will always be a mystery.
How was it driven?
Was full synthetic used, or not?
Etc
Etc

If everything sounds normal, especially the top end, than there shouldn't be any need for concern. Treat it to a quality full synthetic oil and enjoy the new ride.

Here is what I know:
-Highway miles
-0w-20
-No noise. Maybe a very slight light tick but really may be a normal noise.
-Idles fine and looks like MPG is great so far.

I am going to let the Dealer know. In the meantime I am dropping a quart of oil out this evening. Going to add a warranty ( was doing this regardless), and goi g to give her a full synthetic change this weekend.

 

[entropy]

I think over 90% of dealers are doing this. After going through hell with Chrysler dealers from a broken seat and terrible customer service I am 100% done with them. I checked my new Jeep yesterday (2,500 miles) just out of curiosity, it has never had an oil change. It was past the 5qt line, looks like 6. This was done at the dealership where I bought my Jeep, which is a dealership that sells only Jeeps and they are quite knowledgeable. If even they are doing it, I am done with it. They are useless and very badly trained. And the worst part? they are all denying it and saying that owners are making stuff up, they suck big time. The issue I had with my seats got mediocre a fix and I am just done with it. I will be doing my own oil changes, already ordered everything to do my first oil change as soon as possible.

Some owners say you shouldn't worry about having 6qts instead of 5 due to tolerance, it isn't good but it isn't the end of the world and if your Jeep seems fine then it is ok. I recommend you change your own oil, it is cheap and very easy.

@JeepCares you seriously need to increase the level of proficiency at the Mopar service stations, it is pathetic. I am documenting all of this and filing a complaint at the better business bureau. Too many headaches.

 

[Jeepney18]

The dealers can deny it, but they can't say i'm making this up. This is how much oil I had to remove.

 

[entropy]

The dealers can deny it, but they can't say i'm making this up. This is how much oil I had to remove.

That's a lot. But honestly, they don't care. They're going to say you're making this up even if you show them the bottle, that's just how they do business. They're obviously not being held accountable by corporate since they all keep doing it. Jeep dealers have lost 100% my trust and business.

There's been stories from Jeep owners here going to the dealers with proof and they still deny it... or reluctantly doing the oil change again, and doing it wrong.... again....

I had to explain to 3 dealers how the front seat "easy entry" system on the 2 door works... they had 0 clue, all of them, they have minimal idea how these vehicles are built. They probably don't even know the difference between a JK and a JL and that's why they are putting 6 qts on them, and the worst part? it is almost 2020 and they are all still doing it. Corporate is doing absolutely nothing about it. 0.

 

[DanW]

So I bought an 18 JLUR with 31k miles on it last week. I was reading through the forum and saw the whole 6 qt issue. Sure enough, I went outside last night and it seems to have 6qts. I am going to let a qt out tonight. I know the Possible issues associated with this such as seals, etc. however I am not super knowledgeable on it. If I switch to 5 qts here on out should the engine be good? I am concerned that it was at 6 qts for the last 31k miles. Perhaps the previous owner had them all at 5 qts, and the dealership just did an oil change when they put it on the lot. Should I be concerned? Should I try and take it back?

I wouldn't lose sleep. Yes, it is overfilled, but I've not seen one report of an engine with problems from it, and as you can see, the issue is very widespread. There certainly is a safety margin. I think you'd have to put more than 6 quarts in there to create the conditions to cause a problem, and even then, you'd have to run it for a good while before the actual damage would occur. Still, I would just be sure to put 5 quarts in it from here out.

If your engine sounds and feels good, and the oil wasn't aerated or full of air bubbles right after shutoff, then it very likely is good to go.

 

[yardsale]

I would be reluctant to dump a quart out of a vehicle which has an unknown history based on a hunch and internet rumors of a six quart oil change. Better to do a complete oil change, and do it yourself. If you are wrong you will be a quart or more low.

 

[entropy]

I would be reluctant to dump a quart out of a vehicle which has an unknown history based on a hunch and internet rumors of a six quart oil change. Better to do a complete oil change, and do it yourself. If you are wrong you will be a quart or more low.

That's exactly what I did. I checked the dipstick and it looked over the full mark, just like those "6 qts" pictures. My Jeep had only 2.8k miles on it, so that oil was from factory or the dealer.

I didn't wanna risk it so I just changed the oil myself to 5 qts. Took me about 15 minutes and that's because I let it drained for 10 minutes, so actually 5 minutes worth of work.

I honestly think the dipstick is inaccurate because I measured the oil that I drained out of the Jeep and it was a bit over 5 quarts, more like 5 and 1/4.

The best thing you can do with the JL is to do your own oil change.

 

[blnewt]

The best thing you can do with the JL is to do your own oil change.

Yes sir, true story!

 

[melendez69]

It's excessive oil that can be harmful. I don't know if one quart is excessive. What @Jeepney18 shows certainly looks like a lot, but I'm not sure what constitutes "excessive."

It's like porn... I can't define it, but I know it when I see it.

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