Oil level (1 Viewer)

[Figaro]

I decided to check the engine oil today (2003 Ducato 2.8 diesel) and noted it needed a top up.
Unfortunately I misjudged how much would be needed and seem to have over filled it !
As the dash display reads HIGH on start up.
I only had about a litre so I`m guessing it`s overfilled by around a half to three quarters of a litre.
Question - do I need to worry ?

 

[Mel]

If it where me I would remove the excess.
Its not good to run with too much oil in the engine

 

[Figaro]

I thought that might be the answer.
Could be messy draining a bit from the sump plug.
Perhaps if I wipe the dip stick 500 times ?
Ah well, a job for next weekend.
Note to self, don`t mess with anything under the bonnet !

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[tonyidle]

There's no cat or DPF on your van so I wouldn't worry too much. If you see blue exhaust smoke at speed then you will have to drain some but smoke is unlikely with an extra litre.

 

[dave newell]

The dashboard displays are ntoriously inaccurate on oil level so check it on the dipstick, it may well be correct. My 2.0 litre Ducato work van regularly shows the oil level as low on the dash display despite being spot on on the dipstick.

D.

 

[sdc77]

Never used one but you can get an oil extractor that uses a thin tube to remove oil from the top

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[SandT]

If you don't want to drain some out then just remove the oil filter and replace it with a (empty) new one.

Terry

 

[Lofty1]

Ignore the dash warnings, never had one that was accurate , you have a dipstick is it over the full line?
if so drain some out as the level should be between the two lines, the top line is max not what it should be filled to. big problem is how many times you have to dip it before you get a correct reading, and ensuring the van is cold and level.
for some reason (seals or relief valve)an engine that starts burning oil when overfilled seems to keep burning it when back to level if run for to long

 

[Scattycat]

I'm not sure how accurate the coment was but back in the dark ages when I first started driving I'm sure I read that if you over fill the oil then it can cause pressure to build up in the engine and may cause a problem with gaskets blowing.
As I said, I'm not sure how accurate the info was but on the odd occasions I've put too much oil in an engine I've taken steps to take out the excess .
I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will soon pipe up and tell me I'm talking rot

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[Jaws]

If you are really worried about it and it is showing VERY high on the dip stick, go to Boots and buy the biggest syringe they do.. then pop to the local pet shop and buy a metre of air line.
Attach air line to syringe and stick it down the dip stick hole.
Suck out what you do not want .. Simples

 

[Figaro]

I like the tube and syringe idea, I'll try that at the weekend if the dipstick tells me it's overfilled. Just going off the dash display at the moment.
Thanks for replies everyone

 

[Jaws]

A few years ago there were several garages that offered a quick oil change service..
All they did was pull out the dip stick, stick a tube down the hole and suck the old oil out..
Up until 2008 as standard, Smart cars never had a drain plug.. The only way to change the oil was to use the same method !
2008 on, with the advent of the use of the Mitsi engine, a drain plug was fitted ( and indeed, there was an aftermarket sump for the older Smarties that had a drain plug too

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[DJK]

tube and large syringe from a chemist. make sure the tube is on tight to the syringe "YOU" don't want to leave it behind

 

[Figaro]

I ordered the syringe off ebay and it came today. I`ll have a go at sucking some oil out at the weekend

Can`t believe anyone would make a car without a sump drain, whats the world coming to and who thought that was good idea ?

 

[DJK]

Automation Why do you need a sump plug in main dealer They just suck it out into a big tank stored at the back no oil on the floor.
But then we come along and don't have an oil sucker outer and we are knackered. You could always have one welded in not a big job

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[DJK]

Or use the great idea from Terry
If you don't want to drain some out then just remove the oil filter and replace it with a (empty) new one

 

[Figaro]

Automation Why do you need a sump plug in main dealer They just suck it out into a big tank stored at the back no oil on the floor.
But then we come along and don't have an oil sucker outer and we are knackered. You could always have one welded in not a big job

Ah, ok then.

If you don't want to drain some out then just remove the oil filter and replace it with a (empty) new one

No thanks, that would result in an oil slick down the drive. I much prefer the syringe idea