Not likely. A crank shaft splashing in the oil foams and an oil pump will not pump foam/air. You'd have other problems. Plus, a pint is not going to put you in this scenario. Also keep in mind when the engine is running, there's not 6 quarts of oil sitting in the oil pan. The quantity is reduced and the crank will not splash in the oil. Don't know why so many guys are adamant about keeping the oil low in these vehicles. Here's another thought...the more oil (quantity) you have, the less ppm (parts per million) of contaminants you have! I keep my oil full to the brim all the time.

 

While I would never recommend it intentionally be done on any regular basis, on any motor I have ever had, when oil level is low on the dip stick to the add line or lower, the motor always pulls harder and faster, always.
This indicates how much oil pick up the rotating crank gets and the parasitic drag that takes place.
In race motors they use pan baffles and screens just for this reason as well as oil displacement control to keep the pump pickup covered on hard acceleration and side displacements on circle tracks..
Good luck.

 

Okay, please explain why the extra pint of oil disappears pdq and after it is gone I don't have to add any oil in 5,000 miles.

 

I've seen that on SOME vehicles for many years, and I've seen vehicles that don't burn it off even if it's 1/2 inch above full. No rhyme or reason or consistency.

 

What he said...but your crank is not splashing in the oil.

 

What other plausible reason could it be? I can't think of any.