No oil….

[Ladymary86]

Hi all. I recently picked up my T6.1 from a dealer and it was stated the oil had been changed/refilled.

Today however as I was driving the amber oil level warning flashed up. I had nowhere to safely stop so I carried on for a few minutes.

I checked the dipstick and it had the faintest smear of oil on the bottom, so I refilled with castrol 5w30 as that stated it was 504/507 ok and it’s what I had.

My questions are :

A) is damage to the engine likely? It didn’t overheat/smoke/knock

B) have I used the right oil?

C) should i take the vehicle back to the dealer for checks?

I’ve spent a small fortune on this van, I can’t afford anything else

 

[JumpShip]

Is it a new purchase ? From a vw main dealer ?
Whichever monkey did the oil change obviously didn't check it afterwards ...or left something lose .

 

[DaveD]

Hi all. I recently picked up my T6.1 from a dealer and it was stated the oil had been changed/refilled.

Today however as I was driving the amber oil level warning flashed up. I had nowhere to safely stop so I carried on for a few minutes.

I checked the dipstick and it had the faintest smear of oil on the bottom, so I refilled with castrol 5w30 as that stated it was 504/507 ok and it’s what I had.

My questions are :

A) is damage to the engine likely? It didn’t overheat/smoke/knock

B) have I used the right oil?

C) should i take the vehicle back to the dealer for checks?

I’ve spent a small fortune on this van, I can’t afford anything else

Welcome to the Forum!
How much oil did you have to put in to get the oil level up to where it should be?

 

[Sasquatch]

Id return it as defective on day 1 and get a refund. Short of fitting a new engine there's nothing they can do to undo the damage caused by being run low on oil, no matter how minimal that may be.

You're within 30 days, you can reject it out of hand and don't have to give them an opportunity for repair...

Can I return my car within 14 days of buying it? - The Motor Ombudsman

Thinking about rejecting your car Search our knowledge base for an answer to your questions an dfind out how The Motor Ombudsman can help

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The only fly in the ointment is thst if you've topped the oil up you have no way of evidencing the problem ever existed, unless you took photos etc.

 

[Ladymary86]

I put 2l in to get it at about midway. I stupidly didn’t take a picture as was panicking, but the fault code should show up on a diagnostics reader, and I’ve got a receipt for the oil I used showing I bought it yesterday. I’m petrified that it’s done damage

 

[Sasquatch]

Holy Trump! Thats 28% low on oil!

Personally id take it straight back and reject it as sold faulty. Hang on to it and you'll forever have that nagging doubt...

 

[jimc91]

You won’t have done any damage, no oil light showing when you started so enough oil in it, the warning light is just that, a warning that the oils low, you topped it up so I assume the light went out but I would speak to the garage and insist on an oil change

 

[Sasquatch]

You won’t have done any damage

Probably is the word youre looking for. Why should a new owner have even the teeniest doubt? Being run with a third less oil than it should have isn't going to be a breath of fresh air for the motor.

The oil light is for pressure, not oil level.

Id take it back and chuck the keys at them. Even if the engine should be fine, what else have the muppets foxtrotted up that may rear its head?

It is, of course, the OPs call.

 

[Ladymary86]

They are a reputable dealer who are very trustworthy (we’ve bought lots off them) I can only assume this is just a bad mistake on a bad day

It was the amber check oil level light that came on, van drove fine with nothing causing alarm for 3 days?

I’ve just checked it again and it’s filled up to a quarter, I think I read it incorrectly when I filled it as it was a bit dark and I was panicking, will this be ok to drive it back to the dealer?

 

[jimc91]

The op said they had an amber warning light not red, so big difference as to whether the couple of minutes driving caused an issue. I suspect, assuming no leak, that it’s just the filter filling up

 

[koolpc]

I wouldnt ask for a refund on the van if it is running fine and its the van you always wanted.

Just go back to the garage, explain what happened and ask for a thorough check and new oil change.

 

[sparkzer]

The op said they had an amber warning light not red, so big difference as to whether the couple of minutes driving caused an issue. I suspect, assuming no leak, that it’s just the filter filling up

View attachment 293871

I was scrolling to the bottom to say exactly the same. As it had been driving fine with no alarms or warnings prior, it must have just been teatering on the oil low sensor. which is normally just below the 'low' level on the dipstick. the red oil pressure light is something else entirely and would be a far greater cause for concern.

I'd cetainly be monitoring for any leaks and perhaps give the garage chance to inspect, but i personally would not be too worried.