Greetings from a new user here, thanks for the responses I hope to get....

I have a stock 02 5 speed, had it 2 months, went to check the oil after I put about 2500 k on it, and the oil level is about a quarter inch HIGHER than the "full" mark on the dipstick. This is on a level floor with the heat gauge reading about half.. (seems to be dead on normal operating temperature).
When cold it's just a shade lower but still clearly higher than the full mark.

I don't know much about newer motors, should I be draining oil out?
Is it going to "burn off" or is it going to blow a seal like my (more knowledgeable than me) buddy says?

P.S. It's been running perfect motor wise for about 2 months. The fluids were all changed the day before I bought it, so I didn't check myself ( kicks self).

I'm not sure how the oil level can be lower if the oil is 'cold'. If it's been running ok for the first 2 months, i would suggest running it for another month and on the next change, keep an eye on the oil level. Nothing sounds fatal to me though.

If it's only 1/4in over the full mark when the car just ran (hot engine) you're fine, as long as there's no foaming.

Thanks guys, I've been worried that maybe the added level meant added pressure.

nope, oil level shouldn't change the pressure. it will still go through the oil pump bypass like normal, it doesn't know or care how much oil is in the sump. Obviously too little oil will cause issues with pressure!

And given the choice in a subaru engine, it is much better to be a little full than not enough. Not many issues with pushing out an oil seal, but lots of potential issues from oil starvation.

Thanks guys, I've been worried that maybe the added level meant added pressure.


I wouldn't say overfilled oil is a good thing either. Too much/little of anything is not good. A sensible amount of variance would be fine for modern cars such as ours though. But like rkramer said, i'd rather overfill than underfill. But not too much though! :D

Too little oil in the pan, the pump might sucks in pure air due to the oil isnt draining fast enough back to the pan.

Too much oil in the pan, to the point if the oil level is up high enough, the crankshaft might start stiring the oil. You know what happen when you stir eggs, you will see lot of bubbles. Same thing when you stir the engine oil, foaming would occur.

Which one I'd rather happen to my engine?? either! Why not get it right??
Subaru recommand checking your dip stick when the the engine is warm, shut it off and wait for 1min. No rocket science here.

Thanks a lot guys. I will let it get warm, mebbe drive it a little then check for any foam in the dip tube ...???? :confused:

agree

Too much oil in the pan, to the point if the oil level is up high enough, the crankshaft might start stiring the oil. You know what happen when you stir eggs, you will see lot of bubbles. Same thing when you stir the engine oil, foaming would occur.

True in principle and true in most engines, but Subies have a full windage tray such that the crank will not whip the oil unless it's WAAYY full; higher than the whole windage tray.

To the O.P.: You'll be just fine with the level as you describe it. Subarus are absolutely infamous for having difficult-to-read dipsticks and for oil level readings being different from measurement to measurement.