Oil overfill by official dealer

pavelpro

HI, have my service recently done by one of VAG official dealers (Car VW Touran 1.4TSI), only oil service was done for the car. After a week decide to change air filter and check oil level. For my shock level was approximately 1.5-2cm above the max level.
On the picture level is above orange plastic thing


Car traveled around 100-150km from service time and being driven in town and on motorway.
As well i am not quite sure if oil was changed as the color is the same dark as it was before, could they just top it up?

Need an advice could this overfill cause any damage for that time and what should i do regarding that dealer?

dmc17

pavelpro wrote: »

HI, have my service recently done by one of VAG official dealers (Car VW Touran 1.4TSI), only oil service was done for the car. After a week decide to change air filter and check oil level. For my shock level was approximately 1.5-2cm above the max level.
On the picture level is above orange plastic thing


Car traveled around 100-150km from service time and being driven in town and on motorway.
As well i am not quite sure if oil was changed as the color is the same dark as it was before, could they just top it up?

Need an advice could this overfill cause any damage for that time and what should i do regarding that dealer?

Contact them and ask them how much oil they put in. If they claim they put in the right amount, ask them if they forgot to drain the old oil first
Changing oil isn't rocket science. It's amazing how these people manage to make a balls of it :rolleyes: Might be best not to drive it until you get it sorted.

phelixoflaherty

How soon after engine was turned off did you check the level?
You need to leave it for a while for oil to drain back into the sump

pavelpro

Car is standing still fol last 3 days and on the flat surface so level is correct 100%. I have invoice and it is stated that they put 3.6l of oil as well they charged for the sump bung and oil filter.
I am so afraid that the engine could be F$$$$ as it was driving differently after the service.
Still cant believe that such mistakes could be done with official dealer. Car was brought to them at 9am and collected at 5pm for that time they didt wash it and hoover - sau\id they was very busy, so i have to come back for this service anyway.

Bobo78

What do you mean it was driving differently?
Was it making some kind of weird noises while driving or starting?
Is there any blue smoke while starting or driving it?
Defo go back to dealer and tell them about it and show them the proof.
My advice don't panic just yet, don't drive the car and tow it to back to the dealer.

mhigh86

Ya that oil is definitely used oil, looks like they just topped it up and never checked levels.
I.m no expert but the oil is pumped under pressure through out the engine over filling can cause damage possible blow a seal or gasket or even get into air manifold and eventually ruin you're cat converter, but as i said i'm no expert,,,,nissain doctor is the man to talk too.

mhigh86

If you get stuck and need to drive, loosen to sump plug and drain a little at a time and recheck level, don't open plug off the treads as you might let too much out.

Avns1s

It's kinda strange that oil that was changed would be that black after 150km in a petrol engine unless the engine has very high mileage and wasn't looked after all that well.

Also, strange that 3.6 litres would bring it that much over the max level.

Now, on a (slightly) more positive note, it is EXTREMELY unlikely that overfilling by 15mm or so and driving for 150km would cause any damage to any part of the engine. That said, I would get it back to normal as soon as possible, but I wouldn't be afraid to bring it back to the garage as it is.

One other thing..... are all other levels ok, specifically coolant?

Popoutman

There's a strong possibility that the higher oil levels will mean more oil at higher pressure in the oilways, and also more oil on the cylinder walls. This would mean more oil possibly getting into the combustion chamber and getting to the cat without complete combustion, leading to a poisoned cat and cat failure.
Too much oil may also mean that the oil level reaches the crankshaft and causes a lot of churning and dumping a lot of heat into the oil as a result of the frictional losses in the oil, meaning a lower power output and poorer fuel efficiency.

Either way, it's not an expected result from a main dealer. I'd suggest giving them a call and telling them to rectify the situation, and register their overfill on the records - in case there is ever an oil-related issue with the engine, as it would remove one of their possible get-out-of-jail-free cards.

Bobo78

+1

Bigus

The apprentice doing the work in the main dealer might have taken home the the new oil which was accounted for and taken from garage stock , to do a nixer at the weekend , and topped up your car with used waste oil . .....perhaps.

But I'm very cynical, for no good reason, "because I've never seen this done before " in main dealers

Nonoperational

Jasus...

The likelihood is that the oil was Changed. I'd be amazed if Vag dealer was not changing oil when charging for it.

If its just a small bit over the full mark it's nothing to worry about.

Popoutman

That oil level is somewhere around 1-2 litres over the mark. On my 1.9 tdi engine, it's 1l from the bottom mark to the top mark - the OP's oil level is way over the top and I would consider this to be a bad thing for the engine. It's an easy fix for the dealer, but if it's not fixed there's and increased risk of expensive fixes required in the future.

AltAccount

Bigus wrote: »

The apprentice doing the work in the main dealer might have taken home the the new oil which was accounted for and taken from garage stock , to do a nixer at the weekend , and topped up your car with used waste oil . .....perhaps.

But I'm very cynical, for no good reason, "because I've never seen this done before " in main dealers

I'd be fairly sure that your oil was topped up and an operative of Al Quaeda took the relevant new oil to make a bomb to assassinate an international dignatary who's also the kingpin of a drugs ring.

I've seen that happen in films or something.

Or possibly they over filled it and you should give them a call about it, but I've been known to be paranoid about these things....

Bigus

AltAccount wrote: »

I'd be fairly sure that your oil was topped up and an operative of Al Quaeda took the relevant new oil to make a bomb to assassinate an international dignatary who's also the kingpin of a drugs ring.

I've seen that happen in films or something.

Or possibly they over filled it and you should give them a call about it, but I've been known to be paranoid about these things....

All very well but if you've ever followed an x5 that's belching out black smoke it's more than likely that the airfilter was never changed by the apprentice in the main dealer

because it takes too much work which is never quality controlled, and the first time it sees a clean airfilter is at the indies 6 years later ,

same with v6. Jag plugs, two always get left un changed on the s type unless the intake manifold in removed.

mickdw

If it was fully drained, that oil should be a golden colour at this stage. MYbe they sucked out the oil resulting in a fair bit left behind and so not being a very good colour after.
I'm sure they would have changed the oil though.

Pkiernan

OP:

your oil wasn't changed, just topped up.

I'd be going back and asking for the manager, and getting all my money back

Pkiernan

Looks like about 1 litre too much oil there. I don't think that'll have caused your engine any damage.

thereitisgone

Too much oil can be very serious, the crankshaft whips it up to a foam like mayonnaise, so there is a possibility that damage has already been done,just google `engine oil overfill foam´ and you will see.
New engine oil can turn much darker when it is mixed with what was left in the engine especially if engine was burning some oil or on diesels.

ljpg

mickdw wrote: »

If it was fully drained, that oil should be a golden colour at this stage. MYbe they sucked out the oil resulting in a fair bit left behind and so not being a very good colour after.
I'm sure they would have changed the oil though.

the next time you get your oil changed check it after 200km and see how "golden" it is,thers always a certain amount of residue left over from previous oil and it discolours the new stuff fairly quickly,looking at the pics i'd say it was changed but way overfilled,a small overfill is ok (most modern cars use some oil) but thats excessive,bring her back and get some let out

enumbers

Lads the oil has been over filled and needs approx a litre sucked as to the people saying the oil hasn't been changed, assuming this is a diesel the oil would this colour within minutes of starting the engine on fresh oil.

Avns1s

enumbers wrote: »

Lads the oil has been over filled and needs approx a litre sucked as to the people saying the oil hasn't been changed, assuming this is a diesel the oil would this colour within minutes of starting the engine on fresh oil.

The clue is in Post No. 1. - (Car VW Touran 1.4TSI)

mickdw

ljpg wrote: »

mickdw wrote: »

If it was fully drained, that oil should be a golden colour at this stage. MYbe they sucked out the oil resulting in a fair bit left behind and so not being a very good colour after.
I'm sure they would have changed the oil though.

the next time you get your oil changed check it after 200km and see how "golden" it is,thers always a certain amount of residue left over from previous oil and it discolours the new stuff fairly quickly,looking at the pics i'd say it was changed but way overfilled,a small overfill is ok (most modern cars use some oil) but thats excessive,bring her back and get some let out

I've carried out many oil changes and with a petrol engine if care is taken, the oil will be pretty clear for many many miles.
That oil looks terrible.

ljpg

mickdw wrote: »

I've carried out many oil changes and with a petrol engine if care is taken, the oil will be pretty clear for many many miles.
That oil looks terrible.

unless the car is brand new almost new or very very low mileage the oil will discolour,........"if care is taken",could you explain that to me? the op said they had covered 200km,how many miles is "many many miles" i've done dozens of oil changed over the years on my car,my van and the womans car. i,ve seen it change from golden to light black on the test run afterwards,shows the oil is doing its job(removing contaminents,carbon etc),if your getting hundreds of miles and your oils staying clear i suggest you change to a different brand as the oils not doing its job

OldmanMondeo

Bring the car back to the dealer, with the receipt and tell them to sort it out, as in drain the oil and fill to the correct level. Get a letter from the stating that the car was overfilled with oil and any damage done from said overfill, they will fix the damage FOC. Anything Verbal is not worth the paper it's written on.

mathepac

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Bring the car back to the dealer, with the receipt and tell them to sort it out, as in drain the oil and fill to the correct level. ....

and change the oil filter as that oil looks dreadful after just 200km. My guess is the sump wasn't drained fully, then a litre or so dumped in on top of the remaining old oil.

keithclancy

Whats the betting they offer a free service as a good will gesture :rolleyes:

pavelpro

Thanx all for suggestions.

WIll be going on Monday to discuss this situation.

By invoice they add 3.6l of oil with normal consumption by manual 4.6l. So at that moment it is overfilled at least minimum by another liter. For some reason, known only to that garage, with the change of oil 1liter was still inside the engine plus another liter of overfill.

I dont know if its possible not to drain 1 liter of oil if you drain it from the bottom of the car they either just pump it out from the top or not drain it at all. But if they pump it from the top line with sump bung should not be invoiced and charged.

No logic between the invoice and current situation.

alexlyons

i did my oil a few thousand km ago, checked it recently and it still is 50% golden. I'm in an 06 1.4 focus, nothing amazing. So your oil should be reasonably golden after 200km.

if it was me, I'd drain all the oil out of the sump myself or get someone else to do it, or better still bring it back and get them to do it and stand there and watch.
Then measure how much came out and you have your answer as to how much extra was put in it and can then question them about it if needs be.

ljpg

alexlyons wrote: »

i did my oil a few thousand km ago, checked it recently and it still is 50% golden. I'm in an 06 1.4 focus, nothing amazing. So your oil should be reasonably golden after 200km.

if it was me, I'd drain all the oil out of the sump myself or get someone else to do it, or better still bring it back and get them to do it and stand there and watch.
Then measure how much came out and you have your answer as to how much extra was put in it and can then question them about it if needs be.

50% golden..............in other words discoloured....i give up!!

mickdw

ljpg wrote: »

mickdw wrote: »

I've carried out many oil changes and with a petrol engine if care is taken, the oil will be pretty clear for many many miles.
That oil looks terrible.

unless the car is brand new almost new or very very low mileage the oil will discolour,........"if care is taken",could you explain that to me? the op said they had covered 200km,how many miles is "many many miles" i've done dozens of oil changed over the years on my car,my van and the womans car. i,ve seen it change from golden to light black on the test run afterwards,shows the oil is doing its job(removing contaminents,carbon etc),if your getting hundreds of miles and your oils staying clear i suggest you change to a different brand as the oils not doing its job

I used to run an Audi 80 with 170k miles on it. The oil would remain clean to a standard that you knew there was good oil in it for 2k miles or so. Even up to 8k miles when I would change it, it would be a healthy brown, not that solid black that you get in diesels. Similarly other cars I've had and worked on.
By 'taking care' I mean ensuring it properly drained - not sticking the bung in as soon as the flow of oil draining slows a bit like many garages do. I often run a cup clean oil through too but this has only marginal effect but I still like to do it. I realise there is residual oil trapped around the engine but when drained to the maximum possible, I've never seen a petrol blacken its oil as you describe. On the other hand, no matter what you do with a diesel, it will be black after driving down the road.
The one thing I will add is that I would general be changing out reasonable oil at 8k miles. This would contribute to the non blacking of the new oil given that anything left behind would be reasonably good too.

mhigh86

Oil filter should be new if they did oil change.

pavelpro

Being at dealers.
They are sending technician to drain the oil.

Hardly admitting overfilling but i will be demanding this from technician and as well wish to measure how much is pumped out to the normal level.

They stating me that my engine should take 3.6l of oil and that technical data for that engine where stated 5.3l is not correct. Anyone could get me some prove of how much BMY engine 1.4 TSI with Automatic taking oil?

I was trying to show him that his maths are wrong - my logic was that they put 3.6 and overfill it by min 1l so the normal level should be 2.6l. After pointing this they said that technician could put more oil but they not going to put it in writing till confirmed on site.

So will see how it goes. I still have filling that no oil was changed, unfortunately dont know how to prove it.

Most interesting during conversation adviser ask me what nationality i am. Looks like this make some difference when they doing the service...

the culture of deference

pavelpro wrote: »

Still cant believe that such mistakes could be done with official dealer. Car was brought to them at 9am and collected at 5pm for that time they didt wash it and hoover - sau\id they was very busy, so i have to come back for this service anyway.

Don't forget you are paying 75 quid + an hour labour, the hoover and wash isn't a courtesy.

pavelpro wrote: »

Being at dealers.
They are sending technician to drain the oil.

Hardly admitting overfilling but i will be demanding this from technician and as well wish to measure how much is pumped out to the normal level.

Get them to fit a new oil filter and change the oil. Measure what comes out. I lost an engine to over filling before (in a fiat), big end went. In future ask the garage to keep the parts that came off your car to inspect.

pavelpro

Checked in the net information about capacity. Looks like dealer was right about 3.6l. So point of overfill still stands.

bucketybuck

pavelpro wrote: »

They stating me that my engine should take 3.6l of oil and that technical data for that engine where stated 5.3l is not correct. Anyone could get me some prove of how much BMY engine 1.4 TSI with Automatic taking oil?

I checked Autodata online and it states the vehicle you listed in the OP should hold 3.6L total.

pavelpro

Today mechanic arrived and checked the level and confirmed that it is overfilled and it is safe to drive to the garage to take some oil out of the car. Car was brought back to the dealer and they took the oil to the normal level stating what the overfill was not dangerous. Asked them to put into system this accedent they promice to do so and send me prove by mail (doubt that they do).
As well received from them 20E of gift carts which are usefull as should be used within a year and can be put only one voucher per one transaction, have 5E 5E and 10E.

The most important thing - the miracle happen! oil for some reason became much clear after they "pump it out", there is no dark color when you wipe it, its little bit darkish as it supposed to be after proper service.

So my thoughts that it was never changed and they correct their mistake but never admit it at the first place.

THis is my sad story of dealing with unnamed dealer.

If people want i can name the garage.

THank You all for support and suggestions.

Ronnie Beck

A 20 euro voucher was a bit stingy. But I'm sure there not to bothered about losing one customer.

Edit: Next oil and filter change free would have been better considering it was their mistake plus the extra time and inconvenience to you.

Tony D

And they pumped it out?

They charged you for a new sump plug and washer previously too?

Did you ask them why they asked about your nationality? Do you get better or worse service if you are from outside of Ireland?

What a shower of .......

mickdw

Seems they never changed it the first time given that you now have the clean oil you would expect. Disgraceful from a main dealer.

Bobo78

Please name and shame them.

Plug

i say they drained too much the second time and then had to top it up with new oil. that's why its cleaner looking. post again when you do 150 km and see how dirty the oil is. i don't believe they didn't change. i don't think a dealer is that stupid not to change it.