Main dealer - engine oil overfill advice

[anonymous-user]

Evening,

Wife's car went into main dealer for annual service last week. Just had a look at oil level. Its about 1 cm over max fill (I reckon this equates to half a litre). Manual states do not fill over max level as engine damage may result.

After spotting this I thought I'd have a look at the other fluids. Brake fluid is over max fill line (reservoir is pretty much full). Funnily enough they changed the brake fluid.

I am a bit OCD with my car and bike, which is why I service them myself.

After paying a franchised dealer not a small amount of money for this service I am not impressed.

I have emailed them and asked for a call back. No doubt if the engine blows a seal etc I will be the one picking up the bill.

Its not hard to refill oil and brake fluid to the correct level or am I too OCD.

TB

[wemorgan]

Did you check the oil level when cold or hot?

IMHO there's enough leeway either side before anything goes pop.

[anonymous-user]

Checked it cold. Book says to check it hit after leaving it off for 5 mins.

It was over both hot and cold.

[anonymous-user]

I've had this a couple of times over the years. A cm over won't cause any problems at all.

[rigga]

St John Smythe said:

I've had this a couple of times over the years. A cm over won't cause any problems at all.

Generally the gap between the low and high level mark's is normally a liter, the small amount you have extra won't do any harm.

[sydown]

I had this problem at sytner solihull! I only noticed when the oil started leaking out through the rear main crank seal onto the drive! took it back and the service manager assured me that they only put a specific amount in!! My point of they have to make sure there isn't ANY oil left in if you put the full amount in fell on deaf ears! He would not admit that the tech should have checked the dipstick even when he told me the had to take some oil out of the car!
Problem is that a lot (not all) "mechanics" in main dealers have no clue how to service a car and follow the instructions without applying any common sense!! Check the f***ing dipstick when you put oil in a car! Rant over !
Needless to say service my cars myself now as i know what the dipstick is for!!

[B'stard Child]

rigga said:

Generally the gap between the low and high level mark's is normally a liter, the small amount you have extra won't do any harm.

Sorry I disagree

Generally on my cars the distance between min and max is about 1 cm

1 litre additional oil could make a very large difference. OP you paid for a service and the service has been found lacking - go back explain and demonstrate and ask what they are going to do to resolve the issue (I am expecting syphoning off the extra oil and brake fluid to restore the levels to the correct point rather than monetary compensation)

[anonymous-user]

Manual says 1 litre from bottom mark to top. This is 1.7 cm. level is 9mm over (about 0.5 litre I guess.

I'll see what they say on the phone. The dealer is about 30 mins away. I can't be bothered driving it back. It's so annoying that these idiots get away with charging the earth for poor service.

Do I need to check the oil filter is on properly and the spark plugs are torqued correctly.

What a joke.

[JakeT]

Topbox said:

Manual says 1 litre from bottom mark to top. This is 1.7 cm. level is 9mm over (about 0.5 litre I guess.

I'll see what they say on the phone. The dealer is about 30 mins away. I can't be bothered driving it back. It's so annoying that these idiots get away with charging the earth for poor service.

Do I need to check the oil filter is on properly and the spark plugs are torqued correctly.

What a joke.

At least call them and have it on record that they're aware of the issue. If they say it is all cool and your engine dies because it aerated the oil and starved itself or blows it all over your drive you have a comeback. But apart from making sure they're aware you'd have no comeback should something fail.

[anonymous-user]

JakeT said:

Topbox said:

Manual says 1 litre from bottom mark to top. This is 1.7 cm. level is 9mm over (about 0.5 litre I guess.

I'll see what they say on the phone. The dealer is about 30 mins away. I can't be bothered driving it back. It's so annoying that these idiots get away with charging the earth for poor service.

Do I need to check the oil filter is on properly and the spark plugs are torqued correctly.

What a joke.

At least call them and have it on record that they're aware of the issue. If they say it is all cool and your engine dies because it aerated the oil and starved itself or blows it all over your drive you have a comeback. But apart from making sure they're aware you'd have no comeback should something fail.

I should have been clearer. I can't be bothered but I will.

[Mound Dawg]

What's the car? If it takes 7 litres or oil then probably not an issue, if it only takes 3 litres then it may be.

[anonymous-user]

Mound Dawg said:

What's the car? If it takes 7 litres or oil then probably not an issue, if it only takes 3 litres then it may be.

It's the wife's 1.3 runaround. It takes 3.9 litres.

[anonymous-user]

To close topic:

I took it back to the dealer. Service manager admitted it he oil was "a little over" as was the brake fluid.

I won't bore you with our chat but I received £50 off my next service. This is completely useless as it won't be going back there.

I wish I'd just sorted it myself.

[Who me ?]

Depends on whether engine is petrol or diesel I'd say. On a diesel excess oil can lead to the oil being burnt and engine running on oil even when engine switched off. I've had it happen after a major service on a firms car by a main dealer. Engine started to run away and only way of stopping it was to stall the engine. One breakdown bloke told me it was common on Isuzu engines fitted in Vauxhalls ( usually the earlier mark Astra) .I'm amazed at how few so called professionals know when/how to check oil. Before putting my little oil burner in for a MOT, I always check the oil, especially since at one earlier MOT where advisory was "oil low" .i checked it on return ,after leaving car to stand on level ground for manual recommended time, to find level just below max. One time I had a problem at home with a firms car and called out Rescue . First step -oil check ,and it was low .Not surprised as car was parked partially on pavement ( due to width of road), and dipstick ( that dipstick read)was on the high end. And to prove it is not confined to one rescue organisation, I was with my daughter when she called out another rescue. Car jump started, and run for a few moments, on switch off he checked the oil. LOW- well what would you expect. Sales pitch for a litre of oil followed. Little 5'0 daughter listened ,and nodded, but declined. Poor mug didn't know she's as much a PH er as me ,added to which she's bike mad, and her hubby repairs bikes.