Have a 96 Sunfire with 2.2L and I am starting to notice that the car car is losing a little bit of oil. Are the 2.2L prone to leaking oil?? Also I put 4.5 quarts of oil in just as recommended on this site, the dipstick showed a about half a inch over the full line, did I blow a seal or it is normal for the dipstick to show over the full mark when 4.5 quarts is added. What is the correct capacity of oil with a filter change??

I always fill by looking at the dip stick not by the volume of oil. I would never recommend over filling it as you may damage something.

What is the milage on the car? It might be just giving out.

Jay

As mentioned above, never fill your oil simply by volume.

Depending on how hot (or cold) the oil is when you drain it, it will impact the amount
that comes out, thereby effecting how much needs to go back in.

Always use the dipstick to gauge how much oil is in there or needs to be added.

Also, the filter holds a small amount of oil, as well. After refilling, but before starting the
car, the amount may be over due to the amount that belongs in the filter. So if you have not
started it yet, after the oil change, then do so and recheck with the dipstick.

And, just as an FYI, an overfull oiling system can create problems such as blowing out seals
(too much oil = too high of pressure) and it can also create additional "blow-by" residue
that will coat non-oily parts with oil (i.e. air intake, PCV, etc.).

A half inch over the full line is "approximately" a half quart too much, whcih I would
consider waaayyyy too much. You'd be best served by draining a quart out and then adding
new oil in small amounts, chwecking the dipstick, and stopping when it reads full.

Lastly, the only thing I can think of that is specific to the 2.2 and oil leaks, is the valve
cover gasket (another part that can be blown out by too much oil). This gasket is
prone to leaking, particularly when it's original and the engine has many miles.




-Ferrite