Oil Change screw up - Question!

[Caferacer]

Perfect morning to change the oil in my '88 Carrera. Ordered a filter and crush washers from our host as per usual but balked at getting new drain plugs even though I had a faint recollection from my last oil change in the Spring that I might need them. Plus, I'm a cheap bastard.

Drained the tank and changed the filter with no drama but when I moved to the 15 MM sump plug it was pretty badly stripped. This was when I remembered how I had ended up having to tighten it with vise grips last time. Well now it really does not want to come off and even vise grips are not getting purchase. I'm sure I could eventually remove it but then I would have put it back on. Also, my wife has the other car 1,000 miles away so this is my only car for the next week.

My plan is to leave this plug in place and top up with new oil. Then order a new plug and change the oil again in a month or so. My question is, how much oil is typically in the tank itself and how much should I put in before warming it up and checking the level? I suppose I could measure what I took out...you guys are great. Thanks for the help!

[SCadaddle]

Plan A) Provided your drain pan was very clean, transfer the used oil back to the oil tank.

Plan 2) Since "the book" tells you there is about 3.5 quarts in the engine and a complete oil change you initially put 9 in the tank, drive it then wind up adding another 1.5 quarts, I'd say pour 5 quarts of new oil in the tank and go from there. Chalk it up as diluting the oil you never get out of the system with a complete oil change.

[scotricker]

I'm guessing 4 quarts in the engine, so I would start with adding 5, then maybe a 6th after warming up and check.

Or pour what you took out into a gallon jug with a funnel to measure how much came out. But that sounds messy and not-too-fun..

All will be OK. don't panic.

[baruch mor]

Check how much old oil u took out and replace with new oil for a start

[SCadaddle]

As a Land Surveyor by profession, I would never suggest you measure what oil you drained from the tank more than once.

[Caferacer]

All is well. I added five quarts to the car then measured the oil I removed from the tank and the filter using the new oil containers. After filling them there seemed to be at least another quart in the catch pan so I added a sixth. After warming up and re-checking it needed another half quart. So, six and a half was the right amount for my car. Another lesson learned. Thank you for the replies!

[mike f]

I'm thinking that your bigger problem will be with the sump plug. When you say that the plug won't even turn with vise grips and that you had to tighten it with vise grips last time I suspect it could be cross threaded.

[RWebb]

after the wife delivers a spare car, smack the bad oil plug on the face of the bolt ever day with a steel hammer

[RSTarga]

Why don't you remove the sump plate? The best fix is to put the newer style sump bowl with no plug.