Ducato Series 8 Oil Level ( difficulties and nightmares )

[Chris116]

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?

Tyre pressure monitor? No mine hasn't either.

 

[Jamwitt]

Just seen this ran out to check my new Ducato I have a dip stick thank god

 

[JDFun]

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.

To fill a New Ducato with electronic oil display. So Full is 8 Bars. When reduced to 4 put 500 ml of oil in the vehicle. Less if you want to try. Never more. Never. Never. Never. Drive the vehicle until the temperature gets to 92 degrees then check the oil again. Should read as good as full. No more than 500 ml. The vehicle ECU has to recognise the oil input.

 

[jeff4066]

That’s bollox! Any part fitted should have a 12 month warranty. The van could be out of warranty but not that part, it has its own warranty.

Any part fitted while your vehicle is in the warranty period, will only be guaranteed for the length of the remaining warranty, whether its a month or a year. Parts fitted have longer warranties if you pay for them yourself.

I know this from experience having a new 9 speed gearbox fitted, I only get the time left on the new vehicle warranty.

 

[Brize]

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?

Lenny, you seem to have the same Series 9 as me with the digital dash, so I'm surprised you don't have a TPMS display.

This is my sequence:
-- Ignition on (no need to start engine)
-- Left arrow on left side of steering wheel brings up icons along bottom of dash
-- Scroll right with the icons until picture of MH appears
-- Press OK
-- TPMS may appear straight away, if not scroll up or down through oil/adblue levels until it appears.

Apologies if you have done this already.

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[B-JandBella]

Don't bother with writing letters. I always send any correspondence via email as I then , always have proof of contact to fall back on!
Good luck, brother!

 

[1090alex]

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.

Do you mean that if the oil is below minimum one litre will fill it to the maximum?

 

[Brize]

Do you mean that if the oil is below minimum one litre will fill it to the maximum?

Theoretically, yes. However, best to fill in 200 - 250ml stages, following the procedures outlined by people on here. This allows for the unpredictability of the gauge.

 

[Dolmen]

Do you mean that if the oil is below minimum one litre will fill it to the maximum?

If it is on minimum then 1 litre will fill the tank to maximum. If it is below minimum it will be 1 litre plus the unknown volume below minimum. Therefore best to keep adding a smaller amount and recheck until satisfied

 

[Lenny333]

Lenny, you seem to have the same Series 9 as me with the digital dash, so I'm surprised you don't have a TPMS display.

This is my sequence:
-- Ignition on (no need to start engine)
-- Left arrow on left side of steering wheel brings up icons along bottom of dash
-- Scroll right with the icons until picture of MH appears
-- Press OK
-- TPMS may appear straight away, if not scroll up or down through oil/adblue levels until it appears.

Apologies if you have done this already.

Thanks Brize

I have done that and have all the other gauges there (Adblue, coolant temp, oil temp, oil level etc.) but no TPMS so I’m guessing that, for whatever reason, it wasn’t fitted to my van

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[yorkiebar]

Thanks Brize

I have done that and have all the other gauges there (Adblue, coolant temp, oil temp, oil level etc.) but no TPMS so I’m guessing that, for whatever reason, it wasn’t fitted to my van

Not on our 2024 Ducato with full digital dash either. It wasn't listed as a supplied option on our spec sheet + the manual states it's optional so we weren't surprised not to have it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny, you seem to have the same Series 9 as me with the digital dash, so I'm surprised you don't have a TPMS display.

This is my sequence:
-- Ignition on (no need to start engine)
-- Left arrow on left side of steering wheel brings up icons along bottom of dash
-- Scroll right with the icons until picture of MH appears
-- Press OK
-- TPMS may appear straight away, if not scroll up or down through oil/adblue levels until it appears.

Apologies if you have done this already.

Often standard on PVC's when you have the infotainment system but not on coachbuilts, not even an option on our Carthago.
I wouldn't want it as very difficult to reset values, I've dropped my tyre pressures by 15 psi that would have caused real problems with Fiat TPMS.

 

[Brize]

Often standard on PVC's when you have the infotainment system but not on coachbuilts, not even an option on our Carthago.
I wouldn't want it as very difficult to reset values, I've dropped my tyre pressures by 15 psi that would have caused real problems with Fiat TPMS.

Understood, although yorkiebar and Lenny333 have Series 9 Consort PVCs with digital dash, so I would have expected the same as mine.

I have dropped my cold tyre pressures to 70psi on the basis that when warm they will be nearer 80psi, and had no problems with the TPMS. Works for me.

 

[Dall]

Understood, although yorkiebar and Lenny333 have Series 9 Consort PVCs with digital dash, so I would have expected the same as mine.

I have dropped my cold tyre pressures to 70psi on the basis that when warm they will be nearer 80psi, and had no problems with the TPMS. Works for me.

I think TPMS must be an upgrade ordered at build by the converter. Our 22MY Hobby has it, friends 22MY Autosleeper (both on the same PV chassis) does not.

 

[Peavy]

Do you mean that if the oil is below minimum one litre will fill it to the maximum?

As far as I understand, the level indicator we see in the dash doesn't refer to the entire oil capacity, but only to the last liter.
That would explain most of the overfilling problems.
Am I wrong?

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[PlacidoD]

As far as I understand, the level indicator we see in the dash refers only to the last upper litre. Am I wrong?

Correct - The same as you would get between MAX and MIN on a dipstick.

 

[1090alex]

As far as I understand, the level indicator we see in the dash doesn't refer to the entire oil capacity, but only to the last liter.
That would explain most of the overfilling problems.
Am I wrong?

I've just checked my garage and was two 500ml containers I put in and not two litres. This means the message first shows critically low oil level,put in one litre and it's then overfilled.
The system is obviously useless. I believe they've binned it for the series 9?
I have a BMW and it also has no dipstick. However the system in it works without issue.

 

[PlacidoD]

I've just checked my garage and was two 500ml containers I put in and not two litres. This means the message first shows critically low oil level,put in one litre and it's then overfilled.
The system is obviously useless. I believe they've binned it for the series 9?
I have a BMW and it also has no dipstick. However the system in it works without issue.

My understanding is no dip stick on Series 8 and 9 but dipstick back on Series 10.

 

[ALI G]

Do you mean that if the oil is below minimum one litre will fill it to the maximum?

Yes if the guage is working properly but mine wasn't.It went from one bar from full to nothing showing in a short time red oil can light showing.I put 500ml in and it took 200milesl for the light to go out but was only showing one bar. So knowing no oil was used in 14000 m before 1st service and no sign of any leaks or problems we carried on home which was about 2000 miles.As still in warranty took van to Fiat's with still one bar showing they drained the oil confirmed it was full and recalibrated the sensor so now showing full again.I have one more big trip before the warranty runs out in November so watch this space!

 

[Barn1e]

Ok. I said I would update on my issues with the sensor/gauge/oil consumption. I will at some point create a new thread which will summarise the issues and causes.

But based on the latest from the Fiat Professional garage, my sensor is working. It does move by 1/8 on display with every 200ml of oil. The engine has to be at normal temperature AND the reading is taken when the ignition is turned off - it then shows that value when the ignition is turned on after at least 3 mins of being off. I don’t think this is explicit in the manual. It also means it’s only 800ml from oil too low to 8/8.

The problem initially of mine never showing changes in oil level was because the battery went below 72%. When that happens the gauge/ECU needs to be recalibrated. I think the reason they only see this event on campervans is because the battery goes low during the motorhome build period.

So if my sensor is accurate, I must be losing or burning oil. There is no oil around engine. So I must be burning if …….. there is a Fiat Technical bulletin regarding this issue!

There is a know issue with poorly seated parts in the oil separator. I think it’s the umbrella valve which prevents oil mist escaping into the air inlet. In my case this valve was missing!!! New part on order.

So I was burning oil but it was caught by the dpf, hence I did not see black smoke. Hopefully as I do long journeys the regeneration periods will have prevented harm.

Once this is all sorted I will be going into battle with Fiat as I am just outside the warranty period.

So, several issues all separate but all linked in some way.

I did say I would never have another Fiat after issues with our last Ducato - but I liked the spec of the auto sleeper it was built in. Hey ho …

Barn1e

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[Peavy]

In my case this valve was missing!!

What? crazy stuff.
Thanks for the update anyway.

 

[Dall]

Ok. I said I would update on my issues with the sensor/gauge/oil consumption. I will at some point create a new thread which will summarise the issues and causes.

But based on the latest from the Fiat Professional garage, my sensor is working. It does move by 1/8 on display with every 200ml of oil. The engine has to be at normal temperature AND the reading is taken when the ignition is turned off - it then shows that value when the ignition is turned on after at least 3 mins of being off. I don’t think this is explicit in the manual. It also means it’s only 800ml from oil too low to 8/8.

The problem initially of mine never showing changes in oil level was because the battery went below 72%. When that happens the gauge/ECU needs to be recalibrated. I think the reason they only see this event on campervans is because the battery goes low during the motorhome build period.

So if my sensor is accurate, I must be losing or burning oil. There is no oil around engine. So I must be burning if …….. there is a Fiat Technical bulletin regarding this issue!

There is a know issue with poorly seated parts in the oil separator. I think it’s the umbrella valve which prevents oil mist escaping into the air inlet. In my case this valve was missing!!! New part on order.

So I was burning oil but it was caught by the dpf, hence I did not see black smoke. Hopefully as I do long journeys the regeneration periods will have prevented harm.

Once this is all sorted I will be going into battle with Fiat as I am just outside the warranty period.

So, several issues all separate but all linked in some way.

I did say I would never have another Fiat after issues with our last Ducato - but I liked the spec of the auto sleeper it was built in. Hey ho …

Barn1e

This is s really useful update Barn1e!
You have highlighted yet another electrical issue related to a "low Starter Battery" problem, something, as we all know, that does affect a CV/MH because of the way some people have to store them when not in use. I for one, never thought of the build period, just the time a new van can sit at a dealer waiting to be sold.
All the more reason to have "Battery Master" or other means to keep the SB topped up!

 

[Lenny HB]

The system is obviously useless. I believe they've binned it for the series 9?

Nope not until series 10.

 

[Barn1e]

I am going to collect the campervan tomorrow from HTC in Croydon. They are going to put through the work as a warranty claim as the issues were first noted in the warranty period, but the uncalibrated sensor prevented the missing umbrella being diagnosed.

I can fully recommend HTC. From receptionists to technicians they have been superb. Best experience I have had of any garage or dealership in 45 years of owning a vehicle.

I will still create a one stop thread at some point to highlight what I have learned over last 10 months. That way it won’t be lost in this 8-10 page thread.

 

[Ben55]

This thread has been valuable, at least in confirming that I'm not doing anything wrong. Bought a Benivan 144 new last November. In recent weeks the oil gauge fell to four bars, below half. I read that the lower to upper bars represent one litre. I purchased the correct Petronas 0-30 and added just 400ml to start with. I drove the vehicle until all operating temperatures were reached, then parked up for the night. In the morning, no change to the gauge. I'll add no more but will wait until the next long journey to see if the gauge updates. If not, then it's off to a Fiat dealer for some warranty work. Wish I had a simple dipstick.

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