Dealer seems to have over-filled at first oil change at 3600 miles. When cold, oil is about 2-3 x's over full mark. When warm it checks out at the full mark. The report says 6 quarts of 10W30.

However, when engine starts from cold there is a clickity sound like valve chatter that changes with the RPM. In about two minutes the sound goes away. I don't recall that much noise before.

Am I paranoid? I know that they will want the car over-night to check when cold. THEN THEY'LL DRIVE IT!

 

I thought Honda recomended oil chages every 7000 miles?

 

That sound might be normal... I just got mine two a week ago. I notice a similar sound but after a minute of idle it goes away. I think it might be the air valve that pumps into the exhaust at startup (some emmisions thing) causing the noise some how.
The oil level thing sounds weird though, but then again I have only checked the oil level after driving the car (while warm)
Hopefully someone who has had this car for a while can help you out better than I...

 

6 qts. is defintely too much if they put all of it in.

The car takes right around 5.5 qts. after I've drained it for an hour or two. You may want to have them document you noticing the valve chatter just in case the overfill causes problems down the line. You at least have the receipt showing they put in 6 qts. but being on record may be some good insurance.

 

I've read on this site somewhere that the noise you describe is the timing chain. Once it becomes lubricated with oil and heats up, it becomes quieter. This may or may not be true, but mine does the same thing.

 

The owners manual specifically states to NOT overfill the oil because it WILL damage your engine. I wish I knew what to tell you on how to proceed.

 

To start with, the least you should do is drain the overfilled portion given the above information.

 

Mine did the same thing after the first oil change for about a week. It is very rare now that I hear it at all (I'm on my second oil change). I would definitely take the car back and have them drain a quart out of the pan. If you don't want to go through the hassle, you can take small amounts (about 1/8 qt) out by emptying the oil filter several times. You will have to restart the engine each time, and be careful not to damage the filter or the gasket if you want to ultimately reuse the filter. BTW...I've been told that the reason you don't want to overfill is to avoid damaging the crank seal and/or excede engine foaming space. I don't know this to be fact though.

 

Thanks for the comments. I took the car back this morning. The service rep decided to send it back to the guy who did the oil change. After waiting about 45 minutes the rep comes to get me and says the tech wants to show me something. I figure he's going to show me how to check the oil.

Well, he dips the stick and brings it out to show me that it is only a little over the H, but his thumb covers everything above the H. But, what you can see is still an X and a half above the full line. He says just drive it for awhile.

Bottom line, they drained some oil, but I didn't ask how much.