Does anyone else have a problem reading the oil level on the 2.0 TDi engine? I have been checking oil levels for 40 years but reading the Octy dip stick accurately seems to be hard for me. I can't see a clear demarcation on the dip stick between the oil/no oil junction. Previously with other cars I used to pull out the dip stick, wipe it off, reinsert it and then when I pulled it out again there was a very clear oil "line". Not so with the Octy!

Am I doing something wrong?

the max - min lines are the top and bottom of the thin bit near the bottom of the stick. it goes fat, then back to the thin width of the wire (the 1l difference for max and min) and then fat again.

Not very technical I know but it should be easy enough to undestand. Failing that it should show in the manual.

it actually says min and max on it if you look closely enough

Also it's much harder to see when the oil is "new" - gets older and blacker, then it's easier to read. If in sunlight [wot's that!!] you can often see it easier if you angle the dipstick against the sunlight so it reflects off the "wet" oil.

I had the same problem so I stuck ½ litre in for good measure.

I understand the markings - just can't see where the oil level is. The dipstick seems to get a thin coating of oil all over - so unless it was overfilled when new (car has done 2,500 miles) and is still overfilled then I must be missing where the oil level is - I was expecting to see a clear demarcation and line with oil below and dry dipstick above.

If that is consistent, after the car has been standing level, engine off, but warm, for a good few minutes, then it IS overfilled. Not as bad as underfilled but should be avoided. Might be worth getting dealer to look and drain some off!!

I thought overfilled can damage the cat?

I thought overfilled can damage the cat?

Yes - and other problems too as described in the paragraph about 'checking the oil..and topping up' in The Engine Oil Bible below:

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

A black dipstick for checking black oil. Great idea Skoda.

But even apart from that, it is a bit odd - you don't see the colour so much as "wet" and "dry" - it's almost a sort of texture thing. There has to be a better way!

Check it at night using a torch. The oil will be relatively easy to see on the dipstick.

I understand the markings - just can't see where the oil level is. The dipstick seems to get a thin coating of oil all over - so unless it was overfilled when new (car has done 2,500 miles) and is still overfilled then I must be missing where the oil level is - I was expecting to see a clear demarcation and line with oil below and dry dipstick above.

Sorry to drag this one up but I'm having the same problem.

Can't really tell how much oil is in the bloomin thing! Wipe the dipstick - insert - withdraw and the whole thing is coated in oil. It's as if there's oil on the sides of the dipstick pipe and the dipstick gets dragged through it as you pull it out, making the reading pretty meaningless. Wondered if anyone has developed a good technique for using this atrocious piece of design to get an accurate oil read?

Niall

Completely agree Expatman. I was checking the level at the w/e and found it difficult which is why I asked the question here whether the Octy has an oil level sensor (it does apparently) as it wasn't clear from the manual and I was worried about letting it get too low, not helped by the fact its difficult to read accurately from the dipstick.

I've found the dipstick on the Octy very difficult to read over the past year.

My thought of a solution would be to paint the tip of the dip stick white/yellow or red to then make the level of the oil easily read. I'm just not sure how well the paint would stick to it!

Another possibility, used when dipping bulk fuel tanks with the calibrated brass dipsticks, would be to 1) take out the dipstick and wipe it, 2) put some chalk (or talcum powder) on the dipstick, 3) replace and remove the dipstick and 4) clear reading is shown where there is/isn't any chalk.

A black dipstick for checking black oil. Great idea Skoda.

Yes Citroen had silver, as did Pug, Toyota have orange, ford have yellow.

I believe black to be a great colour for stealth

I thought overfilled can damage the cat?

Sadly the family cat died a couple of years ago of heart failure, the vets said it was probably to do with it being over fed too.

:(

I painted the end of the dipstick with silver touch-up (same colour as car!) Oil level now shows up OK. Before painting the dipstick clean it very carefully with turps or similar and leave the paint to dry for at least an hour before replacing the dipstick. BTW leave the bonnet open in case you forget and drive off without a dipstick.

I painted the end of the dipstick with silver touch-up (same colour as car!) Oil level now shows up OK. Before painting the dipstick clean it very carefully with turps or similar and leave the paint to dry for at least an hour before replacing the dipstick. BTW leave the bonnet open in case you forget and drive off without a dipstick.

Just what I was thinking of doing; any problems with the paint peeling off? Its a pretty hot and hostile environment on the end of a dipstick!

Just what I was thinking of doing; any problems with the paint peeling off? Its a pretty hot and hostile environment on the end of a dipstick!

No problems at all. The paint's been on for about 2500 miles and shows no sign of peeling or cracking.

I'd be more tempted to have somebody make me a metal dipstick to replace it as opposed to painting the thing.

Problem is that over 50-100k who knows what the paint will do and if a largish flake gets stuck in an very fine oil channel then you are going to have problems.

i find it difficult to read also, however couldnt we just get a dipstick from another car to fit?

i find it difficult to read also, however couldnt we just get a dipstick from another car to fit?

Good idea Batman!!

I wonder what the dipstick for a Golf/Leon/A3 2.0L TDI is like? Hard to imagine it would be any different to the Skoda one though.

my mates got a toledo and 307 hdi,next time i see him i will try the dipsticks from those and post the results

I had same problem, took it back to the main dealer in Manchester telling them that they had overfilled it.

They checked it and said it was ok.

I got them to show me how they 'read' the dipstick. The mechanic told and showed me that the bulge above the full mark catches the side of the dipstick tube guide depositing oil to give the impression of overfilling. He said he'd drained some oil to get a reading midway or so on the dipstick without success confirming the bulge on the dipstick guide theory.

Anyway 6000 miles later I now have an easy to see oil level below the full mark. This means that is was overfilled and the 'bulge' theory is just a load of 'b.....s'

Don't want to start a new topic or highjack this one but is nearly a ltr of oil top up after 6000 miles on a 20,000 mile 2.0 Tdi Diesel ok/normal