Please Help new motorhome nightmare.

[Matt 123]

Hi everybody, ive bought a motorhome and im having a problem, i picked up a new autotrail imala 736g from a large dealership on 24th november and have had problems , i could not drive it at first due to a broken wrist so my stepdad drove it home for me and parked it on the drive with 60 miles on the clock , my first drive in the van was 23rd december . as i arrived home the red light came on saying maximum oil level exceeded , now with 150 miles on the clock i called the dealership and their was no reply as they had closed for christmas , i phoned fiat recovery and it took them over week to recover it and take it to the dealership they now say that there was 2 litres too much oil in the van , should i ask for a new van , they say its ok now but im not happy about it ,

 

[RobbieBobby]

Has it been overfilled or do we have a diesel or water leak into the sump?

This is really good advice. Keep an eye on the oil level - always under "standard conditions" e.g. level surface and, say an hour after a run. If you find the level rising again, then it's straight back to the dealer.
I don't want to be alarmist here. Maybe it was a simple error ( mind you 2 litres is a lot of oil!) and no harm has been done, but best to be aware that it could be an indicator of other, more serious, issues.

 

[gerardb60]

I think you should have the fact your vehicle was overfilled and had to be rectified recorded in writing in case of any knock on issues that may arise
Too much oil. CAn cause damage
If u have the facts in writing any future problems will be easily keyed under warranty

 

[goin roamin]

if your in the AA I would get the dealer to let you have a letter from them admitting they made a mistake then I would pass it to the AA and let them inspect it

 

[goin roamin]

if your are in the AA I would get the dealer to give you a letter saying what they done and them I would pass it to the AA and ask them to inspect the vehicle

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[Dark_Comet]

Too much oil in a crankcase can cause a pressure build up in the crankcase which would result in oil leakage from the sump and or oil seals. If the oil has been drained to correct level and all is normal, there is nothing to worry about down the line.

 

[TR5]

I'd have thought that if it were seriously overfilled to the extent of doing damage, the warning light would have been on from the start, not 60 miles later!

 

[TR5]

I would ask the fiat agent to take an oil sample and have it tested for fuel or water ingress also was the correct oil added if it was over filled, if all ok then the chances of any damage is almost zero. I was a moronic fiat engineer until I went back to DAF.

If that was an issue, and only took 60 miles for it to cause an overfill warning, then he is easily going to cover another 60 miles within the two year warranty - and it would happen again! But the dealer has admitted, according to the OP, that they put oil in it, for whatever reason!

 

[KimSteve]

Wow, thats a bit rich!

And they expect assistance from the morons.

 

[Peppadog]

I think we learned the 'moron' comment was a typo for 'motor' a while back.

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[KimSteve]

I think we learned the 'moron' comment was a typo for 'motor' a while back.

oh right did not look after I saw the comment.

 

[sonar]

I don’t know much about over oil in the engine .I know from empty mine takes 6 ltrs.
so that’s going to be 5 ltrs in from empty run or a short while and then top it up.

so the only good thing I can see about the thread is someone has an additional spanner that may at some time come handy.

 

[Tony50]

I also would add another comment , if the dealer or whoever checked the engine oil level immediately after the engine was switched off you would a lower engine oil level on the dipstick always best to let the engine drain oil back in sump waiting approx . 20 minutes before checking level , better still I always check my oil level when it has stood overnight the level on the dipstick is what you see when pulling out dipstick saves you wiping dipstick and checking again also stops contamination with what you may be wiping it with

 

[Robert1351]

When the oil has drained back into the sump, as in overnight, some engines will show no oil on the dipstick. This could lead to adding too much oil by mistake. 5 minutes should be enough time for oil to drain back to where it is measured from. The oil will also be hot and fully expanded in volume. This will give a more accurate reading for oil at running temperature.

 

[eurajohn]

When the oil has drained back into the sump, as in overnight, some engines will show no oil on the dipstick. This could lead to adding too much oil by mistake. 5 minutes should be enough time for oil to drain back to where it is measured from. The oil will also be hot and fully expanded in volume. This will give a more accurate reading for oil at running temperature.

Can you explain in genuine engineering terms the rational behind your comment above, also perhaps link to a vehicle manufacturers guidance recommending it.

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[Mike Rivers]

Matt, for what it’s worth. Your motorhome is covered by a warranty. Think of your unit as two halves. 1) The chassis (Fiat Ducato) 2) The habitation (Autotrail). Each have their own warranty. At your first annual service take motorhome to main Fiat dealer, tell them the initial problem and could they make certain correct level of oil is put in. They may say “not due for service yet” but ask for a minor service including oil change. Let your dealer carry out the annual habitation check. I have a Bailey so service mine every year at main Peugeot dealership. That way, should anything go wrong mechanically I can point out that they have serviced the vehicle from new and if stuff hasn’t been carried out properly according to the service schedule then that’s down to them. I’m not altogether happy with motorhome dealership carrying out the engine servicing if you get my drift. It’s a bit like taking your brand new Merc to your local garage for its first service. You’re never going to get the same peace of mind as if you’d taken it to a proper Merc dealer.

 

[Coolcats]

A crankcase is a dynamic environment and there are varying pressures as the engine runs (pistons flying up and down a bore cause positive and negative pressures) an overfill of oil and limited milage is unlikely to do any damage Diesel engines are robust units and engineered to take all sorts of loads and abuse.

 

[TonyEmm]

We have a running joke among tractor fans , that we need a new dipstick as the old one isn't long enough to reach the oil

Sounds like my 1957 B250!

 

[Robert1351]

Can you explain in genuine engineering terms the rational behind your comment above, also perhaps link to a vehicle manufacturers guidance recommending it.

In short, no. However I sometimes used to drive an AEC Plaxton 53 seater coach and the procedure for checking the oil was to always run the engine first, as though there exists a small, self draining reservoir for the purpose. Also, I once overfilled a Yanmar 18hp diesel because I checked the oil first thing in the morning and there was nothing showing on the dipstick before the engine was started. The result is documented elsewhere in this thread.

 

[Coolcats]

Can you explain in genuine engineering terms the rational behind your comment above, also perhaps link to a vehicle manufacturers guidance recommending it.

A manufacturer will always recommend how the oil level should be checked, many who run a dry sump for example the oil has to be checked at NOT ( normal operating temp) and with the engine running. So always refer to the owners hand book and always check the oil level before setting off on a journey.

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[L' Hobo]

I also would add another comment , if the dealer or whoever checked the engine oil level immediately after the engine was switched off you would a lower engine oil level on the dipstick always best to let the engine drain oil back in sump waiting approx . 20 minutes before checking level , better still I always check my oil level when it has stood overnight the level on the dipstick is what you see when pulling out dipstick saves you wiping dipstick and checking again also stops contamination with what you may be wiping it with

I'm getting confused here, was it not established early in thread that the OP did not have a dipstick?? But I agree with you if he had.

 

[L' Hobo]

In short, no. However I sometimes used to drive an AEC Plaxton 53 seater coach and the procedure for checking the oil was to always run the engine first, as though there exists a small, self draining reservoir for the purpose. Also, I once overfilled a Yanmar 18hp diesel because I checked the oil first thing in the morning and there was nothing showing on the dipstick before the engine was started. The result is documented elsewhere in this thread.

I don't wish to be disrespectful BUT, I have operated, owned bus/coaches and trucks for the past 50yrs (cannot comment on a Yanmar) and I have never told a driver or had cause to, start a vehicle before checking the oil and this includes AEC trucks?

What model Plaxton are you referring to because, for AEC power, you must be going back to the 60's Regal, Reliance era???

PS. IF it was self draining and you left it for a few minutes, how would you get an accurate level reading because some would have drained out???

 

[eurajohn]

In short, no. However I sometimes used to drive an AEC Plaxton 53 seater coach and the procedure for checking the oil was to always run the engine first, as though there exists a small, self draining reservoir for the purpose. Also, I once overfilled a Yanmar 18hp diesel because I checked the oil first thing in the morning and there was nothing showing on the dipstick before the engine was started. The result is documented elsewhere in this thread.

Maybe but not relevant to this persons problem or worries, and not to modern vehicles.

A manufacturer will always recommend how the oil level should be checked, many who run a dry sump for example the oil has to be checked at NOT ( normal operating temp) and with the engine running. So always refer to the owners hand book and always check the oil level before setting off on a journey.

Agreed and I am fully aware of dry sump systems but as I mention above not really relevant to a 2021 Ducato though.

To help (peace of mind) someone that asks for help, not opinions, surely it is best not to suggest or quote anything that is not actually directly linked to the question.
Especially as noted by L'Hobo quotes "OP did not have a dipstick??"

 

[Ian Bosman]

Maybe he hasn't been back on this thread to realise he's type it wrong?????

Easy to overlook typo's. I do it regularly but getting into the habit of checking what you keyed in is good practice, says he who is preaching to himself! I am sure if you looked at all my posts you find dozens of errors. So let us have a bit of latitude, simply say there appears to be an error, eg did you really mean "moron" or was it meant to read "motor"? We are not mind readers!

 

[Minxy]

Easy to overlook typo's. I do it regularly but getting into the habit of checking what you keyed in is good practice, says he who is preaching to himself! I am sure if you looked at all my posts you find dozens of errors. So let us have a bit of latitude, simply say there appears to be an error, eg did you really mean "moron" or was it meant to read "motor"? We are not mind readers!

As an ex PA who learned to type with a manual typewriter I can categorically tell you that if I did that now my A4 sheet of paper would be covered in Tippex and there'd still be some mistakes I missed! Its surprising just how easy it is to miss stuff now especially when wanting to post quickly or being attacked by Stinky Minky!

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[Silver-Fox]

This is really good advice. Keep an eye on the oil level - always under "standard conditions" e.g. level surface and, say an hour after a run. If you find the level rising again, then it's straight back to the dealer.
I don't want to be alarmist here. Maybe it was a simple error ( mind you 2 litres is a lot of oil!) and no harm has been done, but best to be aware that it could be an indicator of other, more serious, issues.

A mate of mine used to work for a Ford dealership.

He serviced a car and filled it up with oil.
His apprentice also filled it up with oil.

They did a run out in it as a road test.
He said you couldn’t see the road behind it was like a scene from a James Bond film.

Quick return to the workshop for drain and refill

 

[Sapper520]

Once told one of our new drivers (Army) to go and fill a Landrover with oil……mistake……he literally filled it up to the filler neck!

Got into the habit of saying, ‘ Check the oil level and top up as required’.

 

[Tony50]

When the oil has drained back into the sump, as in overnight, some engines will show no oil on the dipstick. This could lead to adding too much oil by mistake. 5 minutes should be enough time for oil to drain back to where it is measured from. The oil will also be hot and fully expanded in volume. This will give a more accurate reading for oil at running temperature.

Never had a experience where you can't see the oil on a dipstick with cold engine, when, In my experience 5 minutes is not enough time on some engines. Measurements by manufacturer is when oil is cold. But I agree to disagree.

 

[Richard Mason]

Yes a limited time frame to edit the OP but they could have put a new reply on correcting the mistake!
No one needs to be called names!

“No one needs to be called names!” Isn’t the point of names that everyone has to have one to avoid confusion?

 

[Robert1351]

Strewth.

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[IRHP]

In short, no. However I sometimes used to drive an AEC Plaxton 53 seater coach and the procedure for checking the oil was to always run the engine first, as though there exists a small, self draining reservoir for the purpose. Also, I once overfilled a Yanmar 18hp diesel because I checked the oil first thing in the morning and there was nothing showing on the dipstick before the engine was started. The result is documented elsewhere in this thread.

I think your Yanmar dipstick wasn’t long enough. It just goes straight into the sump and measures the level there. It’s also how you empty oil on a 18 hp Yanmar if it was a 2gm20