Hi all,

We're going away this weekend so decided I would check the screenwash, oil levels etc before we leave. I've not done this before as I haven't had the car long - the oil was last changed in June 06.

After looking at the dipstick, the oil was below the indented area of the stick (not the crisscrossed area, but below the actual indented bit of the stick), which surprised me as the oil light is not on/flashing or anything. So, got some oil and added 250ml ... but the level on the dipstick has not changed at all, even after leaving it overnight and then running the engine for a little while and checking again an hour later. So I am not sure if the dipstick is going into the right place in the tank, as surely adding 250ml should have changed the level at least a little?

I am concerned if I put more oil in, and the dipstick is not going into the right place, I may overfill it accidentally. Surely if my oil really was that low the light should have come on? It is a fabia 1.4 elegance 100bhp, 03 reg.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Lynne :confused:

The oil light will only come on if the pressure is really low, as in you have next to no oil in the car. I imagine the difference between the min and max point on the dipstick is about a litre or so. Add a little more and wait for the oil to run into the sump before testing it again. Cold oil will take a while to run down to the bottom and be measured.

And don't run the engine inbetween top ups whilst trying to measure it....that only circulates the oil and sucks it OUT of the sump where the dipstick measures. You'll then have to wait a couple of hours before you'll be able to take a valid reading again.

If the car is on a flat the difference between min and max is usually a litre.

I would park you car up on flat ground and leave it for a couple of hours then wipe and check the oil level. Add a pint (500ml) of oil if it is on the bottom, then wait about 30 minutes and check the level again.

If it hasn't moved at all you have a problem but it should be somewhere between min and max after adding that much. Then just add suitable small amounts until you are nearer the max than the min amount.

Normally the problem would be fairly evident by a pool of oil under the car!

If not then the oil can't go anywhere else but down into the sump and be measured by the dipstick. Unless something wierd is going on. But then you'd have a rocker cover full of oil......or cylinders if the valve stems were letting it in....but then the car would not start or would run really badly with blue smoke.

Thanks - I have moved the car onto the flat (it was leaning a TINY bit towards the pavement but not much) and added some more oil, will wait an hour or so before having another look!

There's definitely nothing leaking out of it underneath, so that's something I suppose

Lynne

Where was the oil level on the day you bought the car?

I'm not sure where the oil was when I bought it - husband checked for me! He can't remember either.

I ended up putting a litre in altogether and it's now midway between the min and max lines, so I guess it must have been so close to empty that the initial stuff I added didn't really change the level all that much on the dipstick. I think it's a bit odd that the light hadn't come on yet, but I guess it may well have done so on the long drive at the weekend. Glad I checked it now I will mention the oil light not coming on when it goes in for its next service, just in case there's a fault.

Thanks for the help,

Lynne

For the oil light to come on the car has to have practically no oil in whatsoever. When you change the oil and filter, you drain all the oil out. Then when you fill the car with oil again and restart the car, the light stays on for a few seconds as the pump sucks up it's first bit of oil, primes the system and builds pressure.

The oil light is there to detect oil pressure, not the level in the sump. If there is sufficient oil pressure then the light goes out.

I'd keep a litre bottle of the right oil in the boot if I were you.

Also depending on how long it is until your next service it might be worth topping the thing up to just below the max mark. If the oil service is due soon I'd just get it done slightly sooner and buy a litre at the same time to keep on you.

Glad to hear it was nothing major and good job that you noticed

For the oil light to come on the car has to have practically no oil in whatsoever. When you change the oil and filter, you drain all the oil out. Then when you fill the car with oil again and restart the car, the light stays on for a few seconds as the pump sucks up it's first bit of oil, primes the system and builds pressure.

The oil light is there to detect oil pressure, not the level in the sump. If there is sufficient oil pressure then the light goes out.

I thought the oil light will flash amber if the oil level gets critical, thats what the book says, (or perhaps I misread it). I know it does on the Audi - perhaps it's a thing just for them?

If you have a Diesel, it will consume some oil during its life, mine does.

About a litre is the difference between the marks.

I thought the oil light will flash amber if the oil level gets critical, thats what the book says, (or perhaps I misread it). I know it does on the Audi - perhaps it's a thing just for them?

If you have a Diesel, it will consume some oil during its life, mine does.

About a litre is the difference between the marks.

Interesting. I'm just going on my knowledge from ye olde days when it was purely based on pressure.

I'm going to check my book, I'm sure it says something about the amber light, unless it's got a small asterisk by it meaning it's just European cars fitted with it.

I know the coolant temperature light will flash amber if the coolant drops below a level in the header tank, it happend on my vRS when it was cold in the mornings and the dealer replaced the expansion tank as the pins for the level get corroded and the light comes on even when the tank was at the correct level.

Yes it's got an asterix near that one meaning it's only on 'some' cars. I've noticed it's not consistent as my vRS has some of the things but not others. A very poor manual really (especially with the pigeon translated 'English').

Lynne

If your oil light ever comes on red you must switch your engine off immediately!!!

Lynne, not to concern you but I had similar problems with the light coming on after a few months of having a service.

I filled up completely with a bottle then went on a long journey, rechecked and the level had dropped. Back and forth to the garage who have now informed me that an acceptable level is.............................1.5L per 600miles of driving! so be warned that if you have the same problem that I have you might be wise to invest in a large bottle of oil like myself....

Bye!

As you have the 1.4 16V , I would keep a wary eye on the oil level and consumption , this engine is well known for piston ring problems , which means the car will be going through oil very quickly. Is your engine code AUB? (It should be on the V5 document , before the engine number) This is the engine they have had most propblems with. Try entering 'Fabia 16V piston rings' in the search box , that may give you some tips on what to watch and listen for.

And if your oil light ever comes on red you must switch your engine off immediately!!!

Hi all,

We're going away this weekend so decided I would check the screenwash, oil levels etc before we leave. I've not done this before as I haven't had the car long - the oil was last changed in June 06.

IIRC your oil should be changed yearly if you don't hit the 10k limit? June 06 is rather a long time to leave the same oil in it.

It's more to do with the length of time the oil is in the car rather than the 10k limit (if you don't cover that in a year).

Perhaps you should get an oil change sooner rather than later, you could ask the garage then?

Ben

10w/40 semi synth I believe is the best oil.

Thats what my cousin put in his Furby as on the container the code was the same as in the handbook.

He drives a 1.4 16v comfort 04 plate

If you have a good local motorshop ask there. I got 5l of oil for

If its a PD, make sure you use the correct PD oil!

Thread from the dead!

Look at the date on the OP.

Thread from the dead!

Look at the date on the OP.

Wonder where the OP went? Did her car break down in the middle of nowhere and she was taken in by some strange menacing hillbilly types who played banjos and everyone had teeth resembling toppling dominoes?

Surely it's time for them to check the oil again now! :P

Amanda , 02.38AM? Did you have a good night?...lol!