Fiat Ducato oil change

[andrew keyte]

Hi All, I own a 2010 Fiat Ducato 130 multijet 2.3 diesel.
When changing the oil I can only get 5 litres out when the capacity should be 6.5 litres. The new oil is immediately filthy so I believe 1.5 l is remaining in the engine somewhere.

I have loads of experience with oil change on other engine types so: the oil was hot, I have included what was in the filter, its not burning or leaking, I am reading the dip stick correctly etc.

I have found a couple blogs expressing the same problem but no answers just an acceptance that one and half litres of oil stays inside.

Has anyone on the forum had the same experience? Any solutions out there?

 

[Macca1954]

You will still have oil sitting in oil gallery’s, crankshaft block etc. Also hydraulic tappets if fitted will still be full. So still a fair amount.

 

[The Wino]

I know at one time there was a fashion for using a flushing oil before filling with the new stuff is that still an option?. I suppos the problem is you will be left with 1.5 litres of flushing oil still in the engine thinking about it!

 

[mfw]

I know at one time there was a fashion for using a flushing oil before filling with the new stuff is that still an option?. I suppos the problem is you will be left with 1.5 litres of flushing oil still in the engine thinking about it!

Wynns engine flush or similar ?

 

[andrew keyte]

Thanks for your reply Macca. Is this peculiar to Fiat? Or all modern engines? I am sure my other engines pretty much empty completely and the new oil is still transparent for weeks.

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[mitzimad]

probably wasnt full when you started and what still in the engine ways accounts for it ive never been a fan of flushing oil

 

[Techno]

Diesel engine oil will go black in not many miles at all

 

[andrew keyte]

I appreciate your ideas folks. Has anyone got the same engine and does there own oil change?

 

[Techno]

Comma say 5.9 litres
https://www.commaoil.com/products/results/92072069/1

Did you replace the oil filter?

 

[Stealaway]

yep every time 2012 2.3. Diesel oil is designed to collect soot and will go black immediately. The lubrication property isn't affected. If you're worried drop the oil again but nothing will change.

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[mfw]

probably wasnt full when you started and what still in the engine ways accounts for it ive never been a fan of flushing oil

I use engine flush at oil change but we all have different views and opinions everyone to their own

 

[andrew keyte]

Alex, How much oil do you get out? How much would you say is left behind?

 

[Deneb]

I don't know where the 6.5 litres capacity comes from, although I've seen it stated in several places. Fiat's workshop documentation states 5.9 litres, but at least two Fiat Pro dealers that I know use 5.4 litres as a service fill, stating that 5.9 litres leads to overfilling on the dipstick. That agrees with my own observations. It is better to leave the fill level slightly below the maximum mark on the dipstick, since modern emission controlled vehicles with DPFs can dilute the oil in use, rarely leading to overfill and diesel runaway. I find 5.4 litres on the multijet 2.3 equates to a happy 3/4 full according to the dipstick

 

[gloworm]

I appreciate your ideas folks. Has anyone got the same engine and does there own oil change?

Hi Andrew, i have same engine, do own oil changes never measure what comes out but always manage 5.9 ltrs in to full mark on dip stick.

Eric

 

[Deneb]

Incidentally, on any vehicle that I service, I initially fill with 1 litre less oil than specified, check it has registered at least above minimum on the dipstick, then run the engine for a short time to fill the oil filter and check for any leaks at the filter seal and the sump plug. I then leave it at rest for 15 minutes or so to allow the oil to return to the sump, and slowly add oil a little at a time until I'm happy with the level on the dipstick, always aiming for slightly less than maximum. Much easier than trying to get some oil out afterwards

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[Stealaway]

Alex, How much oil do you get out? How much would you say is left behind?

It's not something I notice - plus I always let the oil level fall to minimum on the stick, when I know I going to change it shortly.
I put about a gallon in and then check the stick, its always there or there about once its filled the filter.
You'll know to have the van on the flat as the sump drain seems to be exactly central.

 

[maison]

We change our oil annually, regardless of mileage. (Our average is 12000 miles a year).

Our friendly, neighbourhood mechanic, who does our servicing at home, in his “off duty” time, recommends flushing the system. As a result we ask him to do it each time he services it.

The additional cost is nothing when you consider the potential cost of engine damage.

However, our friends never flush theirs and have had no problems. I suppose it comes down to peace of mind, depth of pockets etc.

 

[Macca1954]

Thanks for your reply Macca. Is this peculiar to Fiat? Or all modern engines? I am sure my other engines pretty much empty completely and the new oil is still transparent for weeks.

All engines will hold a certain amount of oil in galleries etc if not a lot of damage would occur on every start up. Most Diesel engine oils will have a certain amount of deferment in them to clean and hold carbon etc. The term omd is relating to oil mineral detergent. 50 odd years as a heavy goods fitter have never used flushing oil just regular oil changes

 

[Macca1954]

Detergent not deferment ?

 

[Deneb]

Never seen a dismantled engine that would have benefitted from a flush if subject to regular oil changes in the last 40 years. Apart from being likely to do more harm than good, the only thing it's flushing is the money out of your wallet IMHO.

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[andrew keyte]

Thanks DE, if the 6.5 litre capacity is a myth that answers my question.

I get 5 litres of old oil out, perhaps 0.4 is still soaked into the filter. The old level mark is half way up the stick and the full capacity 5.9 litres, that add up.

Thanks everyone for your contributions. My fear of slowly and needlessly ruining a huge investment is now subsiding!

 

[mitzimad]

i used flushing oil once and had a disaster so never again

 

[hilldweller]

i used flushing oil once and had a disaster so never again

I never have but reading this thread it seems obvious that if you use flushing oil then no matter what you do to drain it there will be a load left that is diluting your nice new high-tec proper job oil.

 

[cakey]

Not wanting to teach you how to suck eggs . You don’t say who the manufacturer is ie Swift Ellis ect. I have a Swift on a Fiat Ducato same as yours. On level ground the cab is slightly nose down, on a level pitch I usually have to go up at least 1 level on the ramps

 

[tonyidle]

We change our oil annually, regardless of mileage. (Our average is 12000 miles a year).

Our friendly, neighbourhood mechanic, who does our servicing at home, in his “off duty” time, recommends flushing the system. As a result we ask him to do it each time he services it.

The additional cost is nothing when you consider the potential cost of engine damage.

However, our friends never flush theirs and have had no problems. I suppose it comes down to peace of mind, depth of pockets etc.

The oil you remove has hopefully not reached the end of its service life so why flush thus leaving a substance that isn't lubricating oil in the oilways and hydraulic tappets? Flushing was a good idea in the past when oil came out as carbonated sludge but a modern oil drains cleanly and doesn't leave anything harmful behind.

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[maison]

The oil you remove has hopefully not reached the end of its service life so why flush thus leaving a substance that isn't lubricating oil in the oilways and hydraulic tappets? Flushing was a good idea in the past when oil came out as carbonated sludge but a modern oil drains cleanly and doesn't leave anything harmful behind.

Frankly, I’m no expert so can’t answer your question.

However, after over twenty years using the same mechanic with total satisfaction I am happy to follow the advice of someone who is.

 

[Duck Truck]

I did na oil change two days ago
and the oil shows dirty on the dip stick and I havent run it yet.

I want to know why the dip stick is blued metal. makes seeing where the oil level on the dip stick is very difficult

 

[ukbill]

Mine has no oil,blew the frigging engine up,not sure the amount in it

 

[Geo]

For information only please draw your own conclusions
we as a service and repair garage do not and will not use engine flush without instructions and signed disclaimer from the customer.
Often asked why? we explained
Engines that have got full service history have no real need of it
Engines that have not and appear to or there is a desire to have it may have the human equivelent of DVT or Cardiac arrest
caused by gunge that was happily living stuck somewhere in an engine being semi disolved, or being dislodged and blocking vital oilways resulting in seizure or major damage at best
to sumerise
Clean engines dont need it
Dirty engine may live longer without it.

anyone in the trade will recall the ford CVH engine and what was termed the black death. try flushing one of those and it would seize on the ramp

 

[BILL 875]

I have a euro 6 150 fiat engine, oil to fill up to mark on stick is 6.25 ltrs and no flush, just a money making add on as far as i am concerned and i will change it every 12 months.
Bill

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