Thread: Overfill of engine oil

Originally Posted by uninformed

If the dipstick is in the original position and the original brand/type, how is it going to read false......have a think about it.

I've heard of stories where people have had the tube drop deeper into the sump or have had them refitted incorrectly. Also because of all the bends on the 200tdi disco dipstick tube it seems to fudge the reading by the time you get the bloody stick out and clear of the tube. I cant get consistent levels with mine, its bloody crap to read especially when the oil is fresh clean and clear.

Mine was above max by quite a bit more than 1mm after initial fill, but dropped to something nearer minimum after having been run up to temperature.

So thats why I asked how many liters were put in. My dipstick tries to **** with me so I'm more comfortable knowing that I have put in the required amount.

Originally Posted by manic

I've heard of stories where people have had the tube drop deeper into the sump or have had them refitted incorrectly. Also because of all the bends on the 200tdi disco dipstick tube it seems to fudge the reading by the time you get the bloody stick out and clear of the tube. I cant get consistent levels with mine, its bloody crap to read especially when the oil is fresh clean and clear.

Mine was above max by quite a bit more than 1mm after initial fill, but dropped to something nearer minimum after having been run up to temperature.

So thats why I asked how many liters were put in. My dipstick tries to **** with me so I'm more comfortable knowing that I have put in the required amount.

Do you fill the filter up before fitting? What are you using to measure the amount of oil going in?

the solution is surprisingly simple.

take to the distick with some very coarse sand paper and sand it across the stick in the oil indication area.

when filling the tdi200 I just add the first 5l straight from the bottle then top it up in 250ml shots.

Originally Posted by uninformed

Do you fill the filter up before fitting? What are you using to measure the amount of oil going in?

Yes filter filled as best as possible given it needs to be fitted at an angle. I measure by container, I purchased oil in a 5 liter bottle and a couple of 1 liter bottles, all of them had a side level indicator. The dipstick read too high after 6 liters in but I knew I had under-filled if anything.

Another thing I just thought about, my rover suspension has it slightly lurched over to one side, so perhaps another way for the dipstick levels to get skewed!

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Love the sandpaper idea Dave! Will give that a go, and then take a reading with a spirit level on the top of the engine to be sure. I refitted the dipstick only recently at the correct height but will check it again to make sure it hasn't slipped since.


The overfill danger is running on oil, engine run away right?

Technical Q. Does soot in the oil settle to the sump overnight?

My last oil change on the 300tdi I fitted a sump valve/tap in place of the plug. Did a short run and the next morning checked the oil level. As you would expect, oil on the dipstick clean and hard to see, but a little high (nothing you would normally worry about). With the new tap, decided to drain maybe 200ml off. Opened the tap (cold oil) and out came a thick black sludge as 5000km+ oil. I know a half litre or so is left in the sump after draining so this was on top of that again. I drained around litre until I got clean oil. Maybe it should be my future practise to have a short run and drain the cold sludge the next day and top up after a change.

When I drain oil I drain it hot with the filler cap off and just let it drip for an hour or so until nothing comes out, so I didn't 'short' drain the sump. I always change the filter at every oil change.

Originally Posted by manic

Yes filter filled as best as possible given it needs to be fitted at an angle. I measure by container, I purchased oil in a 5 liter bottle and a couple of 1 liter bottles, all of them had a side level indicator. The dipstick read too high after 6 liters in but I knew I had under-filled if anything.

Another thing I just thought about, my rover suspension has it slightly lurched over to one side, so perhaps another way for the dipstick levels to get skewed!

---

Love the sandpaper idea Dave! Will give that a go, and then take a reading with a spirit level on the top of the engine to be sure. I refitted the dipstick only recently at the correct height but will check it again to make sure it hasn't slipped since.


The overfill danger is running on oil, engine run away right?

seems there is always one more variable.............

Like I said if all things are in good orginal condition (not modified, buggered, moved or sagged) then there will be consistancy in the dipstick.

I get that its on an angle and not dead easy to read, but If you are doing your oil changes on hard, flat, level ground, using the same filter and oil, then after a few you are going to get a good idea of how much is needed. Given hot oil will drain well, and removing the filter will allow for some oil loss in passages, then when you fill, check cold and then run, there is going to be oil in places other than filter and sump, and there are going to be 2 diffferent readings. If your DS reads high, but your 100% sure that you have not put enough in, do what works for you, either add more, or run it and check......quite simple.

As the manual says, check on flat level ground, get upto running temp (not 50c....) and let sit for 5 mins then check. If each time all things are same you then have some consistancy to go from.

yes diesel engine can and will run on its own oil....no way of stopping it with the key and can result in full distruction of engine.