# How much oil is too much?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-oil-is-too-much/39426>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** escort, ford\
**Created:** [November 13, 2009, 6:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-oil-is-too-much/39426 "2009-11-13T06:06:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![The77end](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@The77end](https://community.cartalk.com/u/The77end)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 6:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-oil-is-too-much/39426/1 "2009-11-13T06:06:13Z")

</div>

I just changed the oil in my 1.9 L 1993 Ford Escort. I believe its supposed to take 4 or 4.5 quarts of oil but I got a little over-zealous and added 5 quarts. Is this going to have a negative impact on my engine? Should I drain some of it or will it be ok? I read that adding too much can result in severe engine problems…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 11:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-oil-is-too-much/39426/2 "2009-11-13T11:08:08Z")

</div>

Likely you are OK, but if it really does take 4 and not 4.5 (which is it?) you could be close. Where does it show on the dip stick now?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-oil-is-too-much/39426/3 "2009-11-13T15:42:40Z")

</div>

As long as the crank-shaft isn’t splashing the oil around you’re ok…1/2 quart over should be fine.