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I have a Briggs and Stratton 17.5 hp 500 cc engine on my Craftsman riding lawn mower. Looking at the manual, it states the engine needs 48 fluid ounces plus 4 fluid ounces with oil filter change. In removing the oil, I drained it out completely and then replaced the oil filter. I didn;t put the oil plug back in until I finished replacing the oil filter. It should be completely drained. Yet why is my dipstick indicating overfull??? I have put in 46 ounces and I was expecting it to need around 52 fluid ounces? Any ideas. I don't want it overfull or underful. I want just the right amount.

48 oz is probably the max crankcase capacity, the 4 extra ounces probably goes in the filter (prefill, then install filter)

In the past, I did not prefill the oil filter and I didn't this time either. It is weird because I have changed the oil in this engine before. So the only thing I can think is the oil did not completely drain out for some reason or something is preventing the oil from settling within the engine (?) or maybe it will settle with time???? Although I have already let it set for 24 hours.

Also I did have some slight seeping of oil at the bottom of the rocker arm cover which I noticed when changing the spark plug. So I replaced the gasket for the rocker arm cover. Then I put the new oil in. I am just real nervous seeing the oil level on that dipstick.

I am really tempted to turn over the engine but I do not want to damage it either.

I just went out and looked at the dipstick again. It is a good 1 1/4 inch over the fill mark. It is up to the first angled bend in the dipstick. Just doesn't make sense to me.

Also I just checked the manual directions. It does state to change the oil with the engine still warm. The engine was cold. However I doubt that would be the cause of my problem but I guess possible.

I think I am just going to siphon out the excess until it hits the dipstick fill level and then crank it up and immediately shut it down. See if any change to the level. Crank up and run a little longer and check again. One more time and if still good, I will run it.

Do a quick test, remove the dipstik and smell of the oil. be sure gas isnt getting into the crankcase.

No, no smell of gas. And I have siphoned out 12 ounces and I still have maybe 1/2 inch to go down on the dipstick. I put in 46 ounces minus the 12 I have pulled out, means 34 ounces in. And I am still siphoning it out. This just doesn't make sense.

What seems most logical is that not all the old oil drained out. I did have the left side of the mower on 1" boards. It gives a slight tilt to the frame so that the oil flows out to the side without anything accumulating under the frame. Maybe that is the problem.

The more I think about it, the more I think the best thing to do is drain the oil out again. Keep the mower flat and refill it. $10 of oil down the drain but it will put my mind at ease. Maybe. I might refill it and still find it not taking the expected amount of oil. I have changed oil all my life and never run into this before.

What;s the Model and Type numbers of the engine? they are stamped on the valve cover at the front of the engine

On the valve cover model type 000E Second line 31R977 0043 g1 150 05za As far as I could read it.

yep, operators manual shows 46-48 oz with filter,,, which is one of these, (Correct weight oil, of course)

Drain the oil, replace the plug and wait a week to be sure that fuel is not getting into the Crankcase.
Remove spark plugs and turn it over a few times.
You may have the wrong dipstick, but fill it slowly until it indicates FULL and drive it!

Most engines the oil level is just below the crankcase gasket so they don't leak while sitting .
So pull the dipstick and have a look where the full line is .
On some Hondas with the diagonal sump gasket the correct oil level is just below the O ring on the dipstick tube

On my drain pans, I have marks & amounts marked on them, so I measure how much I get outta my Z for example, No guess work.

Jagger2002
My "suggestion" is that due to the fact that you did not fill the filter before, it accumulated air and the oil did not enter it, that is, the extra volume that you are seeing on the dipstick is what did not enter the filter.
I don't know why you lost the oil ... didn't you rescue it correctly?
I suggest redoing the entire procedure, but level the cutter after the drain, replace the plug, fill the filter and install it ... in fact when removing the filter, check for any obstruction that prevents the oil from entering.
After installing the filter, do not delay to replace the oil.

WITH filter, 46-48 ounces per your engine manual.