Even if they drain the entire lot out of the sump, there will still be at least 0.5L in the filter housing/cooler etc etc.

When they then pour in the "correct" amount of oil, by the book, it will be in addition to the 0.5L and you'll be over the top mark.

Actually there are cars out there without sump plugs and boats have had their oil changed this way for years.

It's not bad, just different.

Now who changes the oil without changing the filter, it usually says, refill to correct mark on dipstick, start engine for a minute or two, let it settle then recheck, and top up, as the filter housing will have used some of what you put in.

Please enlighten us, which cars don't have sump plugs?

I'm not saying it's wrong to suck the oil out, but there's more chance of not getting it all out, if not enough care is taken doing it that way. I would agree with emmaj watch them doing it!!

Now who changes the oil without changing the filter, it usually says, refill to correct mark on dipstick, start engine for a minute or two, let it settle then recheck, and top up, as the filter housing will have used some of what you put in.

Please enlighten us, which cars don't have sump plugs?

I'm not saying it's wrong to suck the oil out, but there's more chance of not getting it all out, if not enough care is taken doing it that way. I would agree with emmaj watch them doing it!!

If you take out the paper filter on a TDI engine, you'll find that even with that removed there is a good amount of old oil left behind there, that doesn't get removed by dropping the sump plug.

It's held there so that oil can be pumped instantly amoungst other reasons.

To be certain you've got as much dirty oil out as possible, you need to suck this out (as well as the stuff in the sump) and put a small amount of clean oil in there before you put the new filter in.

It's not a case of not changing the filter and nobody suggested that.

I'm just pointing out, that the suck it out of it's dipstick method has advantages as well as percieved issues.

As for cars without... I don't know if the A2 with the sealed bonnet did, but there have been renault and MG without a sump plug, as well as a few other brands of cars.

Edited 8 May, 201214 yr by cheezemonkhai

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. In decades of doing my own servicing, I've never seen more than a couple of tablespoons of oil left in the filter housing. The suck it out method was started to speed up servicing at the dealers while still charging the same. They don't want to bothered taking off plastic engine protection trays, and then waiting for the oil to drain.

They don't want to bothered taking off plastic engine protection trays, and then waiting for the oil to drain.

My dealer removed mine whilst changing the oil on the last service. Two days later it detached it's self from my car whilst travelling at ** MPH it lodged it's self under my car and I had to call the RAC out to remove it

Not a happy bunny

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. In decades of doing my own servicing, I've never seen more than a couple of tablespoons of oil left in the filter housing. The suck it out method was started to speed up servicing at the dealers while still charging the same. They don't want to bothered taking off plastic engine protection trays, and then waiting for the oil to drain.

I've done it for years too and if it's a proper tin filter I might agree with you.

However I suggest you try doing an oil change on a 2.0TDI before you say there isn't any in there.

i've managed to pull >0.5L out of it on more than one occasion.

Just pop the vacuum tube into the small holes at the base of the housing and see how much comes out.

Of courrse, if they made it easy to get to the sump plug, with a little hole or removabel flap on the guard, that would help.

Motor boats are done through a vacuum system, because they can't get under the engine and have done a good job there for years.

I have to say however, if you think that the garage sit and let it drain until the last drop is out, I'd guess you're probably wrong.

Most garages (IMHO) will want to turn cars asap, so will dro pit, let it out, get the plug straight back in, drop the car, do the filter then add the oil.

Edited 8 May, 201214 yr by cheezemonkhai

Up till couple week back i honestly did not know they did it this way and its completely wrong if you ask me, i can understand they want to get the cars turned around ASAP and there is not real damage in doing this way but draining the oil via the sump plug can highlight possible problems within the engine, first thing that spring to mind is shavings of metals, indicating something is a miss somewhere or the thickness of the oil and sometimes indicate something.

Im guessing when they pump it, the used oil will go straight into a container then into a large barrel ready for disposal, so possibly missing an inspection?

But also not alot of people use flush but i do, or did till i got my service plan on the Octy, if they do not drain the engine oil from the sump then some of this flush will still be running around the engine, another factor of possible engine damage.

Next service im going to request they change it via the sump plug, they cant say no surly? Iv paid for the service and its not asif im asking for something unknown to their mechanics

Update:

Been two weeks of something like that since the excess oil was drained from the car and iv done about 500miles. Checked it yesterday morning and it was back over the max line, not as high as it was the first time i spotted it but still high. I rung the dealership and he remembered who i was but could not remember which mechanic did the work, as i was going to ask where did he fill it up to (did he make doubly sure it was bang on the max line, or was it just above) He has asked if he can have the car for the full day so im going to go ahead and book it in.

What was the outcome Ema_jane? Did you book it back in?

Unfortunately iv not being able to get it in with been busy at work but the car has hardly do any mileage, been sharing cars so hopefully get it in soon

Up till couple week back i honestly did not know they did it this way and its completely wrong if you ask me, i can understand they want to get the cars turned around ASAP and there is not real damage in doing this way but draining the oil via the sump plug can highlight possible problems within the engine, first thing that spring to mind is shavings of metals, indicating something is a miss somewhere or the thickness of the oil and sometimes indicate something.

Im guessing when they pump it, the used oil will go straight into a container then into a large barrel ready for disposal, so possibly missing an inspection?

The shavings will go straight into a large oil barrel with a funnel in the top along with the oil direct from the sump plug anyway and the only way to be sure would be to DIY it.

I'd guess like you that most garages that suck it out, also send it directly via a pipe into a larger container.

Personally the pump I've got it clear and you'd notice shavings as you pour the oil out, however not every garage will take care regardless of how they do it. I find it useful for the additional changes, wheen the weather is foul or when you just can't get under for other reasons.

At the end of a day a new filter and oil regardless of how it is done is still better than not doing it.

FWIW, I doubt you'd notice shavings unless you were looking for them. If you saw them and were not looking, then it's probably too late for the engine anyway. :(

But also not alot of people use flush but i do, or did till i got my service plan on the Octy, if they do not drain the engine oil from the sump then some of this flush will still be running around the engine, another factor of possible engine damage.

Next service im going to request they change it via the sump plug, they cant say no surly? Iv paid for the service and its not asif im asking for something unknown to their mechanics

They do say you shouldn't be using flush in VAG land IIRC.

It's a fair point about the sump drain, but FWIW, if you do use flush, you'll want suck the oil out of the base of the filter housing and IMHO the pan just to get the dregs to be sure.

Actually if the engine was bad enough it needed flushing, I'd probably use flushing oil rather than the addative tin.

I'd also probably do it, then put some suitable cheap oil and a filter in, run it for a thousand miles or so and then put another new filter and oil in.

Purely because you want to be rid of the flush and the muck, and you wouldn't do it every time, so better to be certain it's all gone.

Guess there are levels you can take it to.

When mine was serviced the last 2 times at the dealer they drained the oil the normal way as they replaced the sump plug on both services.

When mine was serviced the last 2 times at the dealer they drained the oil the normal way as they replaced the sump plug on both services.

I'm sure they do, but you can bet bottom dollar that they drained the oil straight into a large barrel and didn't check it over in any particular way.

Random question as I don't know the answer to it as I have never had to remove the sump itself but with regards to metal shavings is there a magnet in the bottom of the sump like you would get in the sump of an autobox? If not is there a reason why not? The only reason I can think is that it would not be possible to drain the bits out if they were stuck to one permanently.

Random question as I don't know the answer to it as I have never had to remove the sump itself but with regards to metal shavings is there a magnet in the bottom of the sump like you would get in the sump of an autobox? If not is there a reason why not? The only reason I can think is that it would not be possible to drain the bits out if they were stuck to one permanently.

the metal shavings were just a random example, im not on about massive pieces of metals, shavings so small they looks like tiny pieces of glitter. An oil change will most likely be uneventful but it runs around the internals of the engine and can tell you if you engine is running ok

I've done it for years too and if it's a proper tin filter I might agree with you.

However I suggest you try doing an oil change on a 2.0TDI before you say there isn't any in there.

i've managed to pull >0.5L out of it on more than one occasion.

Just pop the vacuum tube into the small holes at the base of the housing and see how much comes out.

Of courrse, if they made it easy to get to the sump plug, with a little hole or removabel flap on the guard, that would help.

Motor boats are done through a vacuum system, because they can't get under the engine and have done a good job there for years.

I have to say however, if you think that the garage sit and let it drain until the last drop is out, I'd guess you're probably wrong.

Most garages (IMHO) will want to turn cars asap, so will dro pit, let it out, get the plug straight back in, drop the car, do the filter then add the oil.

My last five cars have all been 2.0ltr tdi, so I'm not making things up.

Even if the garage dont leave the oil to drain, I guarantee you will get more out than by using the suction method.

the metal shavings were just a random example, im not on about massive pieces of metals, shavings so small they looks like tiny pieces of glitter. An oil change will most likely be uneventful but it runs around the internals of the engine and can tell you if you engine is running ok

There was a time in the not too distant past, where a small magnet could be found on the end of the sump plug. You would always find a tiny amount of "bits" stuck to it.

One thing I would agree with is, I would steer clear of engine flush.

I never got told this about engine flush and VAG's i have not used it on the Octy as iv never serviced it, well changed fuel filter and bits but i used to use it on my Mk4 Golf PD

I never got told this about engine flush and VAG's i have not used it on the Octy as iv never serviced it, well changed fuel filter and bits but i used to use it on my Mk4 Golf PD

I thought Skoda didn't recommend flushing a PD Engine, When I had my Fabia MK I PD TDi Vrs it was a No No according to the dealer, something to do with Fuel pumps/Electrics ect being bathed in oil.

I assume the 2.0 L PD is the same set up

My last five cars have all been 2.0ltr tdi, so I'm not making things up.

Even if the garage dont leave the oil to drain, I guarantee you will get more out than by using the suction method.

You must get through them then, but I can assure you if you take the lid off on the 2.0 TDI, pull out the paper filter and stick a suction hose down into the holes and oil cooler under the filter housing you will easily pull out 0.5L.

I must have done that at least 20 times, on 2 examples now, so confident.

It doesn't really matter to be fair, the whole point is that you think you have to drop the sump and check it every time.

I think that it's good from time to time, but a suck out and new filter, is still better than leaving it longer and as good a normal change at a garage.

I have a 1.2tdi cr Roomster now just over one year old, I have experienced what's called Oil Dilution with the oil level on the dipstick going over the to[ of the plastic on the dipstick. The garage drained the oil and refilled at no charge, now it looks like it is happening again,car has only 5000 miles on clock.Dealer was to send an oil sample for to analysed, never heard any result. Oil Dilution is quite common in Vag cars. Just enter in Briskoda search box and you will see a lot of conversations concerning it. Very good one by Estateman, well worth reading

You must get through them then, but I can assure you if you take the lid off on the 2.0 TDI, pull out the paper filter and stick a suction hose down into the holes and oil cooler under the filter housing you will easily pull out 0.5L.

I must have done that at least 20 times, on 2 examples now, so confident.

It doesn't really matter to be fair, the whole point is that you think you have to drop the sump and check it every time.

I think that it's good from time to time, but a suck out and new filter, is still better than leaving it longer and as good a normal change at a garage.

Since 1963 when I passed my test, I/we (includes the wife) have owned 21 different vehicles, it's not a case of getting through them, it's being able to change when we feel like. I also don't think that you have to drop the sump and check it every time, as you don't have to, I always just take the sump drain plug out, much easier. I also don't leave it longer, my oil and filter gets changed every year regardless.

I thought Skoda didn't recommend flushing a PD Engine, When I had my Fabia MK I PD TDi Vrs it was a No No according to the dealer, something to do with Fuel pumps/Electrics ect being bathed in oil.

I assume the 2.0 L PD is the same set up

When I had my injectors replaced the dealer mentioned to me that the wiring loom to the injectors was submerged in oil on the vRS?

When I had my injectors replaced the dealer mentioned to me that the wiring loom to the injectors was submerged in oil on the vRS?

I think its the same on all PD Engines

Hence not to flush the Engine

Riiiight :wonder: we have another high oil level...this time registering over the plastic markings and onto the stick itself, only very slightly but its never been that high.

Wouldt i get a warning on the dash for high pressure?

What to do? (other then obvious ring Skoda dealer who drained the excess out)

Are you in the AA or RAC Em , may be worth speaking to them , they have a legal section to help , certainly would give the dealer something to think about , they have the expertise to do the analysis , if not just ring skoda assist and tell em your car cant be driven safely .

Start a logbook or diary of phone calls and visits etc. get names for whoever you talk to and tell em your writing it down , may be way over the top till it goes wrong , but its easy to chuck it away if it doesn't, I always do this the instant it starts to **** up with anything nowadays after countless times its happened and i cannot prove anything i was told , people seem to pay more attention if its personal .

Riiiight :wonder: we have another high oil level...this time registering over the plastic markings and onto the stick itself, only very slightly but its never been that high.

Wouldt i get a warning on the dash for high pressure?

What to do? (other then obvious ring Skoda dealer who drained the excess out)

Are u sure ur checking it on the same level and same engine temp every time as both these factors give lots of false readings.

There the sort of dipstick that very hard get a proper reading every time.

In some cars it's best check when cold.