Ducato Series 8 Oil Level ( difficulties and nightmares )

seasideBill said:
So, what’s ‘max’ the top of the scale or first white arrow? I’m assuming it’s the first white arrow and each segment is about 200ml? No oil added yet.

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My understanding is you could put 200 ml in (if everything is accurate) as you should leave the very top segment empty showing you it is not at the maximum. Personally I would only put 100 mL in and wait a couple of hundred miles monitoring then if I felt it ok add the other 100 mL

You have 5/8 showing. Consider 7/8 your maximum
 
We have a circular dial on our Fiat Ducato and no dipstick from Aug 24 and we thought it was a Series 8. It is a PVC. We are now neurotic about it after the gauge not dropping for 5,000 miles and then suddenly going down to 2 bars. We’ve added 200ml and it’s up to 6.

We followed the Australian routine. It is so annoying and stressful.
 
Guess I can share my story.

Bought the van new 5/2024 and the display was 7/8 as it should (1/8=too low, 8/8 too high, so the "okay range" is 2/8 - 7/8). After maybe 10000km / 6000miles I noticed it has dropped to 5/8 and some time later it went down to 4/8, which I thought was just fine as new engines may burn some oil. After a year, 16000km/10000miles it was down to 3/8 and it was time to change the oil anyway. Put in the 5.4 liters as suggested and went on. I knew that the display will need some time to show the correct value but even after two long trips it was still at 3/8 as it was before the oil change. The dealer agreed on my plan to add 200ml more and see what happens. Still no change. After maybe 1500km/1000miles I parked on some uneven ground and starting from there the display was 5/8. Since then it has always been either 3/8 or 5/8 depending how it was parked before start.

Gonna take it to the dealer some day now, they will read the fault codes and as there will be none (why should there be, the sensor doesn't know it's most likely faulty) they will drain the oil and measure it and go on from there.

I'm usually up for anything new, but this isn't that great. At the moment I'm not worried as I know there's oil in the engine - even a bit over the specs - but I wouldn't want to see the "oil level too low, stop" -message even if I knew it's most likely just fine.
 
PDrill said:
I'm usually up for anything new, but this isn't that great. At the moment I'm not worried as I know there's oil in the engine - even a bit over the specs - but I wouldn't want to see the "oil level too low, stop" -message even if I knew it's most likely just fine.
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I think the length of Fiat’s brief dalliance with this arrangement tells its own story. 😟
If you combine this shoddy stuff with some of the van converters design nonsense and you find yourself wondering what sort of product you’re getting for upwards of £85k? Presumably vehicles are becoming more reliable compared to the days of oil pressure gauges and the like, but when owning one is a constant source of erroneous complex error messages and huge garage bills it sometimes doesn’t feel like progress.
 
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seasideBill said:
I think the length of Fiat’s brief dalliance with this arrangement tells its own story. 😟
If you combine this shoddy stuff with some of the van converters design nonsense and you find yourself wondering what sort of product you’re getting for upwards of £85k? Presumably vehicles are becoming more reliable compared to the days of oil pressure gauges and the like, but when owning one is a constant source of erroneous complex error messages and huge garage bills it sometimes doesn’t feel like progress.
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The missing dipstick and a software fault on the 180 auto are a disappointment on this new 2.2 engine but I really enjoy driving my 140 auto. It is responsive, quiet, smooth running and a big improvement over the old 2.3 150 I had.

As for converters design nonsense I think that is mostly down to customers falling for glitz and gimmicks. There are one or two minor things I would do differently on my van but overall I think it is well designed and built. It makes very good use of the limited space and weight available.
 
Pausim said:
The missing dipstick and a software fault on the 180 auto are a disappointment on this new 2.2 engine but I really enjoy driving my 140 auto. It is responsive, quiet, smooth running and a big improvement over the old 2.3 150 I had.

As for converters design nonsense I think that is mostly down to customers falling for glitz and gimmicks. There are one or two minor things I would do differently on my van but overall I think it is well designed and built. It makes very good use of the limited space and weight available.
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Actually I don’t disagree with your comments about design and could have expressed myself more clearly. My disappointment is more to do with the execution of the design and build. An example of that would be the grey water drain used on the Adria Twin. A remote cable operated system that’s not fit for purpose and is very inconvenient when it breaks - common for many owners.
 
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Must be awful when you have a problem, however, I have had vehicles for the last 11 years which have no dipstick and have never encountered any problem so it would be unfair to condemn all electronic oil level sensors. The one on my Ducato reads between 5/8th and 7/8ths depending on when and where I check it, that's good enough for me to feel confident in it. The rigmarole you have to go through is a pain, although no worse than having to get an oily rag, open the bonnet check level, usually two or three times, dispose of rag and wash hands. Echo the comments above the 140 9 speed auto is great to drive.
 
Dolmen said:
Must be awful when you have a problem, however, I have had vehicles for the last 11 years which have no dipstick and have never encountered any problem so it would be unfair to condemn all electronic oil level sensors. The one on my Ducato reads between 5/8th and 7/8ths depending on when and where I check it, that's good enough for me to feel confident in it. The rigmarole you have to go through is a pain, although no worse than having to get an oily rag, open the bonnet check level, usually two or three times, dispose of rag and wash hands. Echo the comments above the 140 9 speed auto is great to drive.
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The point is the oily rag procedure is deeply simple and beyond doubt. The sensor might be right, might not, who knows?
 
For the interests of others reading this thread, I have purchased an all singing and dancing obd thingy.
I haven't got it yet and a couple of son in laws know something about it.
Once I am content that I think I might have the possibility of limited knowledge with it I will update about it (currently got the airbag light on but am away and given up caring about it) and at others risk I may well lend it out. I think someone else on here does the same

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It would be great to keep this thread focused on the issue of how the oil level sensor works (or not).

Mine is still showing 7/8 and I will update as we do our next trip. I agree with earlier comment that 2/8 to 7/8 is the range to try to work within. Don’t fill until you get to 2/8 and stop at 7/8. But never add more than 100ml at a time. Then drive it and monitor the level. For peace of mind, keep the display showing the oil level! But I did like a big mph or kph number in the display. Hey ho!

Updated to follow next week.

Barn1e
 
Mine it's been stuck like this for a while. Still 11k km to service oil, says the degradation indicator. Not worried at all, but I watch it.
1000022106.webp
 
Started trip at 7/8. 200 miles later it suddenly went to 5/8. I have never seen it show 6/8. I’ll continue to monitor it permanently displayed.
 
Barn1e said:
Started trip at 7/8. 200 miles later it suddenly went to 5/8. I have never seen it show 6/8. I’ll continue to monitor it permanently displayed.
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Mine moves from 5/8 to 7/8 depending on how it is parked but as you say never 6/8. I am happy with this, it never shows overfilled and never drops to a low point where I am tempted to top it up. I guess the gauge has more segments than the sensor has.
 
Pausim said:
Mine moves from 5/8 to 7/8 depending on how it is parked but as you say never 6/8. I am happy with this, it never shows overfilled and never drops to a low point where I am tempted to top it up. I guess the gauge has more segments than the sensor has.
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Same here!

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So I had mine serviced today £595 Fiat Professional garage. 2023 with the 2.2 engine so no dipstick.
Drove out with the digital gauge showing as when arrived 6500 miles and 1.5 bars below maximum.
Stuck it on the drive and left it for 6 mins. Then turned on the ignition without starting the engine and wait 20 seconds before accessing the digital gauge and voila it shows full oil.
Picture attached.
So the above system works. Just driving it for 35 miles and hoping it re- sets doesn’t.



IMG_0281.webp
 
pat100 said:
My '21 Boxer's gauge always reads 2 dots down. My friendly garage said it’s easy for us, we just drain it and pour in the correct amount. I find the dipstick amazingly hard to read. They said only check it when it’s cold which does help. Not much help to you, though, just agreeing that the gauges seem to be as useful as my fresh water tank gauge …
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Same, my 22 boxer reads 3 dots of 5 but dipstick is good,
although as you said it isn't easy to read as there is never a definitive line I usually dip it a few times.
 
chris3086 said:
We were fortunate to have a new Motorhome at the end of June 2022. Routinely checking the oil level in August and before a long trip I was surprised to see only 2 bars from 8 registering. Following the handbook procedure I added 250ml of oil but the display did not alter, a further 250 ml was added but no change to the display and I made a note to keep a careful eye on the display. The next week we drove to Folkestone and had an overnight stay before catching Le Shuttle. 250 miles after topping the oil up and now in France the display jumps to 8 bars and a red warning to stop. We were recovered and had two nights in a Calais hotel. The French mechanic explained they had made sure the oil level was correct but the display was a complete work of fiction, ok to continue our trip but book in when back in the UK. Ok so booked in and the gauge was recalibrated, no need to replace we were told. Jump to March this year and another warning light, oil pressure/level sensor not responding. Back at the Fiat Professional Dealership and the sensor is replaced under warranty. Recently checked display and guess what, 2 bars showing level is low and needs top up, 250 ml added no change in display, spoken to dealer who says do not add any further vehicle needs to go in for diagnostics and from what I can make out the only way they can be certain of the oil content is to drain and refill. Anyone still reading this may be wondering if I still feel much like a Funster, the answer unfortunately is no especially as I have now been told that any work is chargeable as my warranty has expired .
If you have a Series 8 Ducato please keep an eye on the oil level. I despair that no resolution seems available for this problem.
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This is a longstanding problem. We have a 2017 Carthago on a Ducato base. Fortunately it has a gauge and a dipstick, but from year 1 the oil level light has been problematic with the warning coming on showing a low oil level. A check on the dipstick showed it was OK. The dealer suggested a change of sensor and quoted £1300. I decided not to bother. The problem went away when I had levellers fitted. Using them meant I had to switch the ignition on to raise the levellers, then turn to start the engine. I found that if you immediately get in and turn the ignition to start, you get an oil warning. If you turn on the ignition to get the sensors etc started, then pause a few seconds before starting, then no oil warning. I concluded that it was taking time for the sensors to settle and be read by whatever does it that cured the problem. We have had no oil level sensor problem now for the past 5 years.

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chris3086 said:
We were fortunate to have a new Motorhome at the end of June 2022. Routinely checking the oil level in August and before a long trip I was surprised to see only 2 bars from 8 registering. Following the handbook procedure I added 250ml of oil but the display did not alter, a further 250 ml was added but no change to the display and I made a note to keep a careful eye on the display. The next week we drove to Folkestone and had an overnight stay before catching Le Shuttle. 250 miles after topping the oil up and now in France the display jumps to 8 bars and a red warning to stop. We were recovered and had two nights in a Calais hotel. The French mechanic explained they had made sure the oil level was correct but the display was a complete work of fiction, ok to continue our trip but book in when back in the UK. Ok so booked in and the gauge was recalibrated, no need to replace we were told. Jump to March this year and another warning light, oil pressure/level sensor not responding. Back at the Fiat Professional Dealership and the sensor is replaced under warranty. Recently checked display and guess what, 2 bars showing level is low and needs top up, 250 ml added no change in display, spoken to dealer who says do not add any further vehicle needs to go in for diagnostics and from what I can make out the only way they can be certain of the oil content is to drain and refill. Anyone still reading this may be wondering if I still feel much like a Funster, the answer unfortunately is no especially as I have now been told that any work is chargeable as my warranty has expired .
If you have a Series 8 Ducato please keep an eye on the oil level. I despair that no resolution seems available for this problem.
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I have a serious 8 and have had the same nightmare. Mine happened just after rolling off the ferry in Spain!
Long story short two sensors later fingers crossed it appears to be resolved. Worst part of the van without a doubt.
 
10tenmen said:
So I had mine serviced today £595 Fiat Professional garage. 2023 with the 2.2 engine so no dipstick.
Drove out with the digital gauge showing as when arrived 6500 miles and 1.5 bars below maximum.
Stuck it on the drive and left it for 6 mins. Then turned on the ignition without starting the engine and wait 20 seconds before accessing the digital gauge and voila it shows full oil.
Picture attached.
So the above system works. Just driving it for 35 miles and hoping it re- sets doesn’t.



View attachment 1083055
Click to expand...
Once I got my level correct, after being overfilled by the garage last summer, it has behaved perfectly.
Reading the long winded directions for checking the oil on the non dipstick 2.2, on this forum, made me change the way I was checking the level. I now wait until the temperature gauge is at running temp (about 10 mins into a drive), it is then 2 button presses down on the wheel for the oil and then 1 to the left for the tyre pressures.
Easy to do the daily checks and no dirty hands.........
 
I have a 2021 Sprinter-based motorhome. Due to low mileage, the oil level has consistently shown as full on the dashboard display (no dipstick). At the last service, it came out with the oil level showing two blocks below maximum, so it came out with less oil than it went in with. I took it back and they explained that the dash display is not that accurate. The mechanic also brought a dipstick from another Sprinter, took a bung out of the dipstick tube and proceeded to dip the oil, and it was slightly below the maximum level. They topped it up, and I ordered a dipstick. On the way home, a warning popped up about being overfilled with oil, but then it went away and has never reappeared. Good old manual dipstick has been installed.
 
chris3086 said:
We were fortunate to have a new Motorhome at the end of June 2022. Routinely checking the oil level in August and before a long trip I was surprised to see only 2 bars from 8 registering. Following the handbook procedure I added 250ml of oil but the display did not alter, a further 250 ml was added but no change to the display and I made a note to keep a careful eye on the display. The next week we drove to Folkestone and had an overnight stay before catching Le Shuttle. 250 miles after topping the oil up and now in France the display jumps to 8 bars and a red warning to stop. We were recovered and had two nights in a Calais hotel. The French mechanic explained they had made sure the oil level was correct but the display was a complete work of fiction, ok to continue our trip but book in when back in the UK. Ok so booked in and the gauge was recalibrated, no need to replace we were told. Jump to March this year and another warning light, oil pressure/level sensor not responding. Back at the Fiat Professional Dealership and the sensor is replaced under warranty. Recently checked display and guess what, 2 bars showing level is low and needs top up, 250 ml added no change in display, spoken to dealer who says do not add any further vehicle needs to go in for diagnostics and from what I can make out the only way they can be certain of the oil content is to drain and refill. Anyone still reading this may be wondering if I still feel much like a Funster, the answer unfortunately is no especially as I have now been told that any work is chargeable as my warranty has expired .
If you have a Series 8 Ducato please keep an eye on the oil level. I despair that no resolution seems available for this problem.
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Hi,

I have a Carthago based on a series 8 Ducato.
It's a 2022. Last year I had a warning telling me that the engine oil level was very low.
I toped it up with 2 litres of oil which put out the warning.
A week later whilst driving to Fiat in order to have a number of recalls looked at an engine oil overfill warning came on.
I asked the dealer to have a look at this.
They drained the oil, found the sump to be overfilled, refitted the correct amount of oil then road tested the van to reset the gauge.
Obviously the original warning of low oil was an Italian work of fiction.
What ever was wrong with a metal dipstick.....
 
1090alex said:
Hi,

I have a Carthago based on a series 8 Ducato.
It's a 2022. Last year I had a warning telling me that the engine oil level was very low.
I toped it up with 2 litres of oil which put out the warning.
A week later whilst driving to Fiat in order to have a number of recalls looked at an engine oil overfill warning came on.
I asked the dealer to have a look at this.
They drained the oil, found the sump to be overfilled, refitted the correct amount of oil then road tested the van to reset the gauge.
Obviously the original warning of low oil was an Italian work of fiction.
What ever was wrong with a metal dipstick.....
Click to expand...
2ltrs was far too much, from bottom to top on the guage is 1ltr max and the manual states only at 250ml at a time.

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Ours is a 2024 Series 9, the gauge appears to read constant, get the same level with the engine stopped hot or cold, the engine idling and when driving readout is the same.

Only done 7000 miles now reading 5/8 I think it was on 6 when we picked it up.

IMG_20250709_163838[1].webp
 
Lenny HB said:
Ours is a 2024 Series 9, the gauge appears to read constant, get the same level with the engine stopped hot or cold, the engine idling and when driving readout is the same.

Only done 7000 miles now reading 5/8 I think it was on 6 when we picked it up.

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Lenny… sorry to take this off topic but I have the same dash as yours on a series 9 and I can’t find the TPMS readout so don’t think I’ve actually got it on my van even though it should have. Have you got TPMS on yours?
 
Lenny333 said:
Lenny… sorry to take this off topic but I have the same dash as yours on a series 9 and I can’t find the TPMS readout so don’t think I’ve actually got it on my van even though it should have. Have you got TPMS on yours?
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No I don't have it.
 
Our display is the same as yours and has always shown 7/8 until we came away to France. At Newhaven from Sheffield it had dropped to 3/8, concerned I bought a couple of litres but didn't add any due to the known issues on the forum. After a few hundred miles it was back showing 7/8 again and now varies between 3 & 7/8. At least it was reassuring when the level came up and Oh it doesn't matter if you follow the complicated procedures in the manual either but I always do. A proper cock up of a system

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