Oil Overfill!

[jhm1]

I had my 54 plate 2.0 petrol passat estate serviced at a VW main dealer about 10 days ago. I am on the longlife service regime and it was the lesser of the two as it was the 3rd service at roughly 37K miles.

I have just noticed that since the service oil has been leaking on the driveway (only a small amount each time) so I thought I better check the oil level (the car was cold) expecting it to be down but to my horror it was about 1cm over the max mark. I rang the dealer and the chap was very relaxed and said, 'just bring it in and we will remove some'...I mentioned why was it leaking and he mentioned a number of reasons like leaking through the seals (sorry I am not very technical). I mentioned what about the CAT as I have read this can damage it but he said only if it is left for a long time.

I would not be too worried if nothing was leaking but as it is leaking as well as being overfilled should I insist they replace some parts do some checks as well as draining the oil off.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated....

Why oh why can dealers not get something so simple done correctly!

[meriafel]

I'm sure you need a quick reply and so far nothing.

I would ring some other VW Service Managers stating that you have overfilled your Passat by approx 10mm above max and that you have a small oil leak on your drive.

Ask them what damage the overfill will/could do to any parts inc Cat, seals etc. and whether it compromises your Warranty. Armed with the advice take up with dealer and if necassary get him to indemnify you against any future problems especially if you have a compromised Warranty.

Try some of the bigger Dealers, Dane of Chester, Martins of Basingstoke, LC Charles of Crewe etc pointing out they are not involved! The better dealers are usually very happy to help stamp out poor service from the careless franchisees.

(You probably have further oil leakage that has been retained by the engine undertray)

[jhm1]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try another dealer and let you know what they say.....

[Gaunty]

Name and shame! JCT 600 Wakefield have advised me for the last two years that my clutch needs replacing because it is slipping, they have also not noticed faults on the ECU. Poor dealers like these need stamping out.

[Philbes]

Over the years I have often had cars returned from services with the oil level above the max. mark. Probably because the mechanic does wait for the oil to drain down to the sump before checking the level. Never caused me a problem.

I was more concerned when a Honda dealer returned the car after a service with the oil level not even registering on the dip-stick!

[meriafel]

Chances are all will be well BUT when the BMC 1800, 'Land Crab' was sold in Australia some components were locally made. Engines were regularly failing and the warranty claims were far higher than the UK due to piston failure.

It was thought to be temperature related and lots of mods were tried but it was eventually found to be the locally made dipstick which had its markings above the British made component.

When oil was on max or above, the piston glands ware being smashed by hydraulic pressure on their downward stroke. So you overfill at your peril.

Were you really much above the upper cranked part of the dipstick? You are OK up to this part anyway and VW used to advise to keep the oil-level in this area if towing or in the mountains as the increased volume of oil helps with cooling. I admit to keeping mine there anyway but not above.

[jhm1]

the level is so high it is up to where the dip stick is at it's thinest.

I normally would not be too concerned but it is also leaking and therefore I am worried some seal might have gone because of the increased pressure...

[meriafel]

My TDI dipstick is clearly different in section to the petrol models. Suggest you take an accurate measurement on the level and do a close-up pic as evidence and get it drained out asap. But do what I suggest asking other dealers opinions as to possible damage first.

Alternatively phone VW Customer Care on 0800 711811 and register a complaint getting a reference number in case of future problems. This is an extreme and will annoy your dealer but at least will give you some comeback. Also consider getting another dealer out of area to witness the oil level. There are many ways of tackling the problem but you need to identify problem if any, have witness to problem and to mitigate any further damage, if any, by getting your dealer to draining excess out asap!

[jhm1]

sorry bit slow on this, I did not go to the dealers for a while and then was on hols.

I decided that when the car was warm the oil was just over the max level so was probably ok. It was still leaking though so I took it back to the dealer in early june and they said it was a kinked oil seal, to be fair they fixed it and topped up the oil (v high like time before) free of charge which I suppose it right as they were the ones who did the service.

Just got to go back on thursday now to investigate a low coolant level problem, looks like from reading various posts I may have a radiator or water pump problem but it is still in warranty until september so hopefully should be covered, just hassle taking it there and back all the time particularly as it may be a number of visits reading about other people's similar problems!