Oil overfilled during service

Pete67

My Mondeo 2.0 Tdci was serviced by a main dealer on Monday last, and went for NCT this morning (Sat). Long story short, the NCT tester refused to do the emissions test as the oil level was dangerously high (his exact words). I checked and sure enough the oil level was completely off the scale on the dipstick. At least it was fresh and clean. I generally check the oil levels every time I fill the tank, and it is always around the max mark, so I know there is no underlying problem with fuel in the sump etc.

I had to borrow a vacuum extractor and remove nearly 2 litres of oil via the dipstick tube to get the level back to the max mark. I'm fairly annoyed as not only do I have to book and pay for a re-test, this could very easily have caused significant damage to the engine. I've driven approx 400 km with the high oil level. As far as I can tell, the engine seems OK, no smoke or unusual noises etc.

The service department in the dealers is closed until Monday, I will be having a discussion with them in person, any suggestions as to how to approach this? Does anyone check oil levels after getting the car serviced, I imagine most people trust the mechanics to do the job properly?

dr.fuzzenstein

I would want them to check over the engine, since 2 liters too much oil is no trifle, this could cause serious damage.
I'd say they let the junior mechanic loose on that car. Definitely let them know, I'm sure they will want to prevent this happening in the future, since this is a very elementary mistake and quite embarrassing for a good mechanic.
If they try to shrug it off, I would hesitate bringing my car back there.

bazz26

If it were me I would not have removed any oil until I contacted the Service Manager on Monday morning at which time I would have expected him to send someone out to collect the car and sort it out.

Kenny Logins

How many litres did they bill you for?

mgbgt1978

If you're lucky they might pay for the retest. But Garages hate paying out money for anything.
They will possibly offer you the next oil change as a freebie, but seeing as they messed up the last one........

martinr5232

Pete67 wrote: »

My Mondeo 2.0 Tdci was serviced by a main dealer on Monday last, and went for NCT this morning (Sat). Long story short, the NCT tester refused to do the emissions test as the oil level was dangerously high (his exact words). I checked and sure enough the oil level was completely off the scale on the dipstick. At least it was fresh and clean. I generally check the oil levels every time I fill the tank, and it is always around the max mark, so I know there is no underlying problem with fuel in the sump etc.

I had to borrow a vacuum extractor and remove nearly 2 litres of oil via the dipstick tube to get the level back to the max mark. I'm fairly annoyed as not only do I have to book and pay for a re-test, this could very easily have caused significant damage to the engine. I've driven approx 400 km with the high oil level. As far as I can tell, the engine seems OK, no smoke or unusual noises etc.

The service department in the dealers is closed until Monday, I will be having a discussion with them in person, any suggestions as to how to approach this? Does anyone check oil levels after getting the car serviced, I imagine most people trust the mechanics to do the job properly?

Two litres is an awful lot to be over filled its one thing a little bit but i dont see how anyone could overfill by that much.

Your car takes five and a half litres so two litres is over a third of the capacity it wouldnt do any harm to get it checked over incase there is another issue causing this.

biko

I would ask the speak to the service manager.

wonski

I would get back to them and ask for both the NCT charge and their service charge refund.

Even if you can't prove you didn't put an extra oil after the service, there is no reason you would do that, especially prior to the NCT. They are at fault here and should cover your loss.

I wouldn't give them a chance to check over the engine though - not competent enough imo.

Be firm but polite. Do not accept anything less than your expenses that occured due to their error.

derry

A mate of mine overfilled the van and left cloud of black smoke behind him He stopped the van but engine wouldnt stop as it continued to burn the oil as fuel
He Had to shove it into high gear with brakes on to stop engine .yeah it can wreck engines .For garage unforgivable could wreck your engine or worse .
If they act the mick straight into small claims court

Derry

Atlantic Dawn

I would never use that dealer again, the oil change is the most basic step in a service that would take you to be an idiot to not know how much oil the car your responsible for being an official service agent for. Even if you had a student in for the day doing an oil change for the first time ever with only access to Google and Youtube they would have done a better job, it really is shocking service.

Toyotafanboi

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I would never use that dealer again, the oil change is the most basic step in a service that would take you to be an idiot to not know how much oil the car your responsible for being an official service agent for. Even if you had a student in for the day doing an oil change for the first time ever with only access to Google and Youtube they would have done a better job, it really is shocking service.

at the same time, we are all human. can you honestly say you have never ever made a mistake at work? yes it was a stupid mistake and it could have been a costly one, but it's a line we all walk, every day.

Atlantic Dawn

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

at the same time, we are all human. can you honestly say you have never ever made a mistake at work? yes it was a stupid mistake and it could have been a costly one, but it's a line we all walk, every day.

Yes but you should do a basic check either pre oil fill or post to see that you put in the correct amount, I don't know any current Ford model that would take that amount of oil in the sump.