Technical Low oil level - sensor issue?

[vanilla brys]

Hi!

I have a 2023 Ducato. The oil level light came on, and the display was showing 1 bar. I've added ~800ml of oil, and the indicator is still showing 1 bar. I think it should be showing nearly full now, and I suspect a sensor issue. If the sensor is misbehaving, I might have overfilled it.

Questions:

1. Is showing 1 bar the minimum, or can it show 0 bars (other indicators can show 0)?
2. Is the sensor likely to be broken?
3. Any tips before I take it to a repair shop?

Thanks!

 

[ZaphodB]

Is 800mL all that you have added ?

Or more?

Ducato Series 8 Oil Level Gauge - Level Markings - East Coast Commercials Service Centre

We are experiencing a number of customers overfilling engines because they do not correctly understand how to check the oil level.

www.eastccservice.com.au

 

[vanilla brys]

Thanks for the link! I'd found some of it in the manual, but that site will be helpful.

I added (I think a bit less than) 800ml in total.

 

[ZaphodB]

It's another one of the most stupid 'improvements' made to modern vehicles .....

In the absence of a dipstick and not knowing whether the electronic level reading is working (it not showing a change in bars after adding 800ml), the only way you're gonna be able to confirm 100% you've got the right amount of oil in there (and also prove the electronics behind it are working) is to drain and refill the engine oil (and change filter at same time)

 

[vanilla brys]

I agree. Thanks for the knowledge

 

[ZaphodB]

Interestingly:

Understanding the Gauge:​

• The total volume of oil represented on the gauge is the top (approx.) 1 litres only.
• Each segment between the 2 arrows in the picture is about 200ml.
• The very bottom segment is on or below minimum.
• The very top segment is full or overfull.

Regardless, at this point, you need (I'd want) to know 100% what amount of oil is in there (drop the oil and change filter and start from scratch, that'll test/confirm the gauge operation)
You'lll need to know what the normal oil capacity is for this engine (it should be in the book somewhere), so you know how much to put back in.

When was it serviced last ? ... no leaks , not blowing smoke out the rear?

 

[vanilla brys]

I noticed that regarding the gauge.

It's never been serviced. It's coming up to 2 years now. Only 9000 miles on it.

There is no indication (other than the oil gauge) that it isn't running perfectly. I'll probably get the garage to have a look and do the service at the same time.

This is my first vehicle with no dip stick -- such a frustrating design!

 

[ZaphodB]

Find out now how much oil is required (i.e. the capacity), so you can forewarn the garage what's going on and what you're expecting, if you're not wanting to do the change yourself.

What size engine?

 

[vanilla brys]

It's the 2.3. From memory (manual is in the van) it's 5.9l total. I figure I'll pretty much read them what I wrote in my first post!

 

[ZaphodB]