I just put synthetic oil into my car (19,000 miles), however, I think I overfilled a little bit (5.7 - 5.8 quarts). The reading (hot or cold) on the dipstick shows oil just above the "H" - should I drain some oil out? Also, when I tried to run it hard yesterday, it seemed like the vtec was not kicking as hard as usual... is it the synthetic oil thats causing this?

also, if I do have to drain some, what's a good way of draining without having losing all the oil in the pan when the bolt comes off... can I just unscrew the filter a little and let it drain that way?

 

How much is "just above the H"? This doesn't tell us much. If it's an 1/8th inch above the H, then leave it alone. If it's more than this, you should drain some out. You should leave the oil filter alone. The gasket has already swelled up by now and removing it may damage the filter and it might not seal properly afterwards. Best way would be to carefully and slowly remove the oil drain plug, let a little out and quickly screw it back in.

 

Pulling the filter is probably the way to go, according to Road Rage it holds 1/4 to 1/2 qt when it is new.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=220062 (scroll half way down)

If you just pull, drain, and re-install said filter, it may or may not be enough to lower you to the proper level as the saturated filer element will retain quite a bit of that 1/4 to 1/2 qt. If it is still high after running the car a bit, you could repeat the pain-in-the-arse procedure as needed or just replace it using a fresh filter if you don't mind the waste.

As for VTEC engagement, limited (I admit it) knowledge tells me "possibly". I believe the extra oli causes "frothing" which is nice on a pint of Guinness but I imagine could screw with a finely tuned chain of events like VTEC (much like the pint screws with my chain of events ).

Good luck.

 

I took too long to post (sometimes I get so damn wordy!). I would go with xvipers advice without doubt, he has considerable cred. With what he said, a new filter would be your only other option, might not be enough, and could get expensive (and seems pretty ridiculous by comparison). Done.

 

If the existing filter hasn't been on for a complete driving cycle, it may not have swelled up the gasket too much. There is always a risk of denting the filter when removing it and if you have overfilled more than about 1/2 qt. removing the filter once may not drain enough out but it'll be close enough.

 

I agree with xvipers first post, just unscrew the plug (without removing it) and you will see oil start to seep out, let enough come out, and then check the oil again. It is better to be the equivalent of one or two X's low than it is to be the equivalent of one or two X's high from what ive understood from Xviper.

 

done... I drained about 1/3 of a quart and i'm two X's below full... I was about to remove the filter, since I just put it on yesterday, and that's what a local mechanic told me to do (friend's dad)... but then you guys freaked me out a little bit with that idea.

Anyway, that's what I thought... better be a little low than a little high. Thanks.

 

yeah... I was probably less than an 1/8 of an inch. oh well... done anyway.