laxlan

I have a Toyota 98 4Runner which I change the oil myself. This weekend, I went through the same routine of the oil change, but this time I ran into an issue which I cannot find a solution.
So this is what I did to change my oil change. Drained the oil from the oil pan, changed the filter, added 5.5 quarts of oil then checked the dipstick on level of the oil. But when I checked the dipstick, the oil was 5 times over the max oil level. I figured maybe I need to turn on the truck to get the oil circulated. I ran it for 5 minutes then check the oil again but the oil was at the same level. I then inspected for oil leak and found none. I then open up the oil pan nut to see if there's any oil in the oil pan and none came out.
Since I didn't hear or smell anything coming from the the engine when ran the truck for 5 minutes, I ran it for another 5 minutes then 10 minutes up to 1 hour. At each 5-10 minutes interval I would check the dipstick and also to make sure that the engine is not making any weird noise or produce any weird smell. After letting the truck run for 1 hour, the dipstick oil level is still at the same level as before.
Does anyone have insight to the problem and also tests I could run to diagnose the problem. I could tow the truck and have it service but I would like to learn how to fix the problem. Also this is not my primary vehicle so I can take my time to fix it. Thanks.

UKrunner

If this isnt an attempt at trolling, I'd say you have a blocked oil return port from the head to the block.

laxlan

Don't understand what you mean by trolling?
Is there anything I can do on my own to remove the blockage? Or does this require auto shop?

kball

I think you drained your transmission. Then filled your engine with new oil which already was full of old oil. Was the oil you drained a brownish red color?

mynameistommy510

I think this guy hit the nail on the head ^

NickMiller

This has gotta be it...

laxlan

I feel so stupid right now. That was it. Should have review my notes before I proceed to change the oil. Thanks.

NickMiller

Don't feel bad... When I first changed the oil on my 4Runner I started to open the tranny drain plug too. Luckily, since I have an auto the red color gave it away when it was just seeping out. It wasn't really that I didn't know which was the motor and which was the tranny, I just wasn't paying attention...

Anyways, I'm glad you got it figured out!

Oh, and you should probably get rid of the excess oil in your motor now

laxlan

Thanks for the reassurance. I should have known that something was wrong because it wasn't as messy as the last time I changed the oil. Now I need to run to the store and get transmission fluids.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

The whole running the transmission without fluid could prove interesting!!!

kball

Happens more often than you'd think. Your trans probably needed a drain and fill anyway.

mynameistommy510

I did the same first time I changed my oil.

mynameistommy510

Drained both my trans and oil back in high school. Filled up the oil. Then drove around the block. Asked my mechanic buddy why my 4runner had two drain plugs and was shifting funny. Hahah the undercarriage protection covering can make this deceiving.

98SR54RUNNER

iTrader: (1)

I did the same thing the first time I attempted to change my oil. I didn't realize the mistake until I tried to drive and the trans jerked into gear. Fortunately, I only drove about 20 feet before it hit me and I realized exactly what I had done.

It definitely sucks having to go back to the parts store and dump 10 quarts of oil just to buy 5 more quarts and a bunch of trans fluid. Good news is that it's an easy fix.

Don't feel stupid. I made the exact mistake about 3 years ago and just recently completed an engine swap. You can't really learn how to work on the whip without getting your hands dirty and making some mistakes along the way.