Surplus Oil Fiesta Diesel

[Fourmotion]

I posted this in the Ford section without any responses (so far). Can anyone here help please?

"A friend has just told me his oil level is high on his Fiesta Zetec-S diesel. He said it was serviced in January, and its the first time he's checked the oil since. He only checked it as it seemed to be leaking something oily on to his drive way.

Not having a clue mechanically, even less so about diesels, can someone answer a couple of questions?

Firstly, what damage can overfilling oil in a diesel do? (Any different to a petrol?)

Secondly, why hasn't it burnt off the excess by now? Or could Ford have really overfilled it in the first place? (He's done around 12000 miles since January)

Thirdly, assuming it wasn't overfilled, how could it now appear to have too much in it? Could something be leaking in?

Any answers greatly appreciated, as I haven't really got a clue!"

[knighty]

it will not just burn off the excess oil.......oil consumption is good on most engines nowdays, if it was overfilled you need to drain off the excess.........for the oil level to raise, it normally means one thing......fuel in oil......he could have a sticking injector which is just pouring fuel into the combustion chamber, get it checked ASAP......otherwise the engine could oil up......whereby the oil thins down so much that engine starts to run on its own oil rushes up to max RPM untill it well and truly dies......like throws a rod

Edited by knighty on Tuesday 17th July 15:52

[Foolish Dave]

How high is 'high'?

Ford can easily overfill the engine with oil, but I'd hope they wouldn't.

He should keep an eye on it over the next few hundered miles and see if it moves much - sounds like he does a lot of miles anyway, so this should be pretty quick for him to do - any move further up the stick, he needs to get it checked over quick.
If it stays bang on where it is, I think it would have been over filled and needs to be drained a bit (if he really cares - it's done 12k that full!).

He needs to check it when the cars about the same temp everytime too - otherwise the level will be all over the place.

[Fourmotion]

Thanks for the responses guys. He's booked it in for a service next week, but I think he was just after a heads up on what problems they might come up with find.