Had a quick look in my manual and it reads "The engine oil must always be between the max and min limits marked on the dipstick". So I pulled the dipstick wiped it and put it back and it was about 2mm below the min level. So I put about 1/2 a litre (1 pint), maybe a bit more, of oil in. At this point the car is cold and has not been driven. I then warmed the car up and checked the level and it was about 2mm over the max mark!!!! In the 308gt4 manual it goes to great lengths to describe that the engine should be warm and the oil reading should be taken very soon after the car has been switched off etc. etc. (That's my excuse anyway)! Thinking about it I checked the oil about 700 miles ago (warm engine) and it was about 2/3 of the min-max distance above the min, so given the new reading with the extra 1/2 or so litre I dont think I have consumed any oil in this distance. Anyway what should I do? (Edit) I've just looked in the manual again and indeed on the next page there is the same advice about running the car first, doh!
It is pretty common knowledge that you have to check it on a warm car. In fact, the first time you check it, you wipe it and put it back. The second time is when you look at the measurement. To be on the safe side, just drain it of all and put in some fresh oil. Chances are the excess oil won't damage your engine, but again, the easiest solution would be to just drain and refill, IMO.
Surely "easiest" solution is to open the sump drain plug just enough to drain out a pint or so. You can also remove oil using a long plastic hose down the dip stick and pump up with a syringe pump. This is the standard procedure used by labs researching oil/engine wear. Never tried this on a dry sump though. Ron
Andy, you can syphon off some of the oil from the reservoir into an oil bottle or container, with the help of a clear tubing. Just make sure your container sits on the floor, that the clear tubing is long enough and that it reaches with one end all the way to the bottom of the reservoir. If the oil is warm, it will go faster. This is when you appreciate having used only premium oil in your car's engine.
Thanks for the advice everyone (how stupid do I feel!). I'll have a go at draining off a pint from the drain-plug on the header tank. As long as this is easily accessible then this seems like the easiest option.
Do not feel silly: it happened the same to me and I overfilled a lot! The tricky part is that after you start the engine it takes a good while before the oil level stabilizes in the reservoir tank.
