Dealership overfilled the engine oil

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reactor_sa

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Hi, my car was going well before its 135,000km service last week. I took it to the Ford dealership where the car was purchased years ago as I usually do.

Between the dealer services I change the oil myself with quality 10W40, I know ford generally use **** castor gtx 20W50.
Anyway the problem is I checked the oil yesterday (week after the service) because the invoice said they charged me for 4.5L of castrol gtx and I know it usually takes 5L to the halfway mark on the dip stick. Also the car is feeling much more reluctant and longer to warmup properly.

To my shock I see they have overfilled to about 1CM above the max mark on the dip stick. How bad is this on a turbo diesel and what should I do?? I'm worried the oil may foam and cause loss of oil pressure and the turbo will probably be the first to go. :(

This is the last time I go to a dealership to pay R1700 for too much **** quality oil and a stamp.
 
Also depends if the engine was warm when taking the "reading" as the level usually drops a bit once cooled down.
 
change the oil. It will take longer to warm up due to the volume of oil to be heated up, and it will usually burn off excess oil. Drive it "sprititedly". If they conning you on the oil. who know what else they conning you on. #just saying
 
Purply said:
Also depends if the engine was warm when taking the "reading" as the level usually drops a bit once cooled down.
Click to expand...

Other way round - best time to take a correct reading is to let the car stand for a good 20 minutes, that is why people invariably overfill their cars when the guy at the garage checks their oil and tells them that they need a pint.

@OP - go back to Ford and report this and ask them to correct it - they have to do it and you are not being unreasonable in requesting it.
 
Not sure about diesel engines, but I was taught that overfilling of oil is just as bad as having too little oil in the engine. (Can't remember the exact reason, something to do with the crankshaft airing the oil and parts that should get oil, gets oil).

Also, I was also taught to check the cars oil when it was cold.
 
creeper said:
Not sure about diesel engines, but I was taught that overfilling of oil is just as bad as having too little oil in the engine. (Can't remember the exact reason, something to do with the crankshaft airing the oil and parts that should get oil, gets oil).

Also, I was also taught to check the cars oil when it was cold.
Click to expand...

Correct - crankshaft pressure can become critical in an overfilled engine - High Blood Pressure for cars! :)

I only check my oil first thing in the morning, then I know that it's at the correct reading. :)

It is more critical on a car like a Subaru, however, as the Boxer engine, being flat, takes easily an hour for the oil to run back into the sump.
 
Too much oil in a diesel is pretty dangerous. If enough is being pushed through the crankcase ventilation system the engine can use it as fuel and run out of control.
 
Going to check it now before leaving for work. If it's still overfilled from cold then I'm taking it back to ford to correct.
 
I believe you are using the wrong oil? A Diesel Turbo in the
modern Hi-Tech cars need to run with synthetic oil I would
recommend Helix X7
Using something else will only hasten the Turbo failure.

If you go this route you will certainly see a difference in engine performance.
 
creeper said:
Not sure about diesel engines, but I was taught that overfilling of oil is just as bad as having too little oil in the engine. (Can't remember the exact reason, something to do with the crankshaft airing the oil and parts that should get oil, gets oil).

Also, I was also taught to check the cars oil when it was cold.
Click to expand...

Yep, overfilling just as bad so rather let them do it over and supply the oil for them..
 
Just had them remove some (would be interesting to know how they do that). They tried convincing me it's correct but I said I wasn't comfortable with it and they must remove some. Done now.

Will change it to helix 10w40 fully synthetic I used last time (I think it's hx7 diesel).
 
some say...
too much oil puts pressure on seals etc..
:-)
 
I overfilled my 300TDi Defender by nearly 2L the other day. It was late and I was tired and in my head I used the refill amount for a service from my Discovery V8 petrol........

Drove about 50kms like that with no apparent damage (done a few thousand since) and when I realised what I had done I went cold. Drove back into the garage and drained out the sump to correct level.

Like I said earlier I dont think a cm of oil is anything to be worried about but it does show a lack of care by these bloody stealers.
 
What would happen if you fill the oil till it overflows (i.e. cant accept any more) and then drove it like you stole it?
 
Fazda said:
Other way round - best time to take a correct reading is to let the car stand for a good 20 minutes, that is why people invariably overfill their cars when the guy at the garage checks their oil and tells them that they need a pint.

@OP - go back to Ford and report this and ask them to correct it - they have to do it and you are not being unreasonable in requesting it.
Click to expand...

That ^^^
 
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