Actual Engine Oil Capacity

jeprovo

jeprovo

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Chino Hills
1987 4.0L
Hot Oil dump - Let oil drain for longer than I normally do - at the end it trickled out for like 10 mins before it started dripping.
New Bosh 3500 filter (Same as a Puralator L30001 - PO did the thread conversion from metric to std).
Put in 5 Quarts of oil - Started - let run for a few mins.
Check Oil level - and oil level is full.
Drive home form work - and check oil level again - Still full with 5 qts in.

I'm wondering - Isn't the capacity 6 Qts?
Is the oil capacity on the 1987's actually 5 qts?
Is there a quart of sludge in my oil pan? (doubtful)
Do I have a wierd oil pan on my vehicle (no dents)?
Is the Dipstick off?
Did I magically leave a Qt in there?

I know some people just put in the oil amount and then re-mark the Dip-stick, but this seems strange to me. This XJ's been on the road for 22 Years, and I doubt that it's goint to hurt it if I run it at it's current oil fill level, that's probably what the last previous owners did.
 
As long as it's got enough to keep oil pressure up at all times, I don't really see a problem. Could be something I'm not thinking of though :dunno:
 
Did you fill the oil filter up with oil before you installed it?

IIRC, the first oil change on my 97, I didn't put any oil in the filter (I was too pissed off at splashing oil all over the place getting the old one off). I seem to recall putting 6 quarts in when the filter was dry.
 
I've never put oil in the filter, no. Given the way the filter mounts, that would be one of the stupider and messier things that can be done. ;)
 
My 4.0s have always taken six, that'd be an 89, 88, and 96.

I always drop the oil and filter, put the new filter and drain plug in, and put five in. Then I generally run it until warm, shut it down, and check the dipstick and ti's at the add a quart mark.
 
Ian Christiansen said:
I usually fill the filter about half way. That's the limit without spilling any when it gets installed. And the other 5.5 quarts take it to the full mark on the dip stick.
Click to expand...

That's a great idea. I alway pre-fill oil filters to eliminate the long wait time for the oil pressure to build.
I pour a 1/2 qt. of oil in the new filter and then wait a few moments for the oil to saturate the paper media before installing. None of it spills out.
The pressure comes up within 2-3 seconds, twice as fast as when using an empty filter.
I cannot see a downside to doing this.
 
lazyxj said:
That's a great idea. I alway pre-fill oil filters to eliminate the long wait time for the oil pressure to build.
I pour a 1/2 qt. of oil in the new filter and then wait a few moments for the oil to saturate the paper media before installing. None of it spills out.
The pressure comes up within 2-3 seconds, twice as fast as when using an empty filter.
I cannot see a downside to doing this.
Click to expand...


It's nearly impossible to do this on a Renix. Filter angle changed at some point.
 
dennis461 said:
Do you have the right dipstick?
Do you havbe one quart of sludge in bottom of the pan?
Click to expand...


This was a fleet maintained us department of forestry rig, it is unlikely that it has the wrong dipstick or that there is that much sludge in the engine.
 
I've been using Motorcraft FL1A filters for years, and they're a little bigger than stock. It may take up to a half-pint more than six quarts, and the rear main magically fixes any over-fill problem. Unless the 5 quart jug of Castrol from Wally World is down a few oz., I always dump in the jug and another quart, drive a day, then top it off.
 
jeprovo said:
1987 4.0L
Hot Oil dump - Let oil drain for longer than I normally do - at the end it trickled out for like 10 mins before it started dripping.
New Bosh 3500 filter (Same as a Puralator L30001 - PO did the thread conversion from metric to std).
Put in 5 Quarts of oil - Started - let run for a few mins.
Check Oil level - and oil level is full.
Drive home form work - and check oil level again - Still full with 5 qts in.

I'm wondering - Isn't the capacity 6 Qts?
Is the oil capacity on the 1987's actually 5 qts?
Is there a quart of sludge in my oil pan? (doubtful)
Do I have a wierd oil pan on my vehicle (no dents)?
Is the Dipstick off?
Did I magically leave a Qt in there?

I know some people just put in the oil amount and then re-mark the Dip-stick, but this seems strange to me. This XJ's been on the road for 22 Years, and I doubt that it's goint to hurt it if I run it at it's current oil fill level, that's probably what the last previous owners did.
Click to expand...

I had the same problem with a Ford 351W one time. Always wondered why it was full a quart short of specs. Finally, I took the dipstick into the dealership and had them look up the correct part number--the engine had the wrong dipstick in it!
 
I was wondering the same thing, or if it was a '87 thing.
OK, so does anyone know that the distance from the oil full line on the dipstick to the point where the dipstick seats in the tube on a RENIX? I'll measure mine.
Maybe my dipstick is too long :)
 
I measured from the oil full line to the bottom of the dipstick handle on my 90 and it was 20 1/8". My 90 & my wifes 91 have both always taken 6 qts.
 
Last edited:
AL BUNDY said:
I measured from the oil full line to the bottom of the dipstick handle on my 90 and it was 20 1/8".
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll have to check mine. That measurement is to the handle, right? Then there's another 3/8" or so to the shoulder that seats with the dipstick tube?
 
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