Volvo D4 oil level

[AllanG]

Changed the oil in my Volvo D4 this w/e, and the manual states that it takes 12.5 litres, including the filters, so this is the amount I refilled. However, when checking the level after a test run the level on the dip stick is just above the minimum level mark, and is actually difficult to accurately see, this after waiting 10-15 minutes after stopping the engine.

I drained approx 12.5-13 litres when emptying the sump, but I always find it difficult to see the exact level on the dip stick.

Does anyone with a D4 experience difficulty reading the oil level on the dip stick? Has there been a problem with the length of D4 dip sticks?

I presume I should top-up the oil to increase the level, but I don't want to risk overfilling if the quoted 12.5 litres is actually correct?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Allan

 

[volvopaul]

Never overfill a d range motor, I've seen the results! Not nice on the pocket. Alan fill between min and max level.

 

[SolentPhill]

I've had a few issues like this, i always do oil check before any trip and take 2 - 3 readings, couple years ago I checked oil before departure and it was less than min so I had to drive 15 miles to the Volvo shop to get 5 ltr and I put a ltr in checked again and it was way over the max mark, I know you can do more damage by putting too much in so I drained out a bit and checked again and it was just under the max line, that's fine I thought but before I threw the oil I took out in the waste oil I measured it and it was just under a ltr. I thought I was going mad so now if it's low as long as its not really low I run the engine for a few mins and check again. I'm sure it doesn't sit anywhere else but it had me going

Remember that even if you let it drain for a week you will never get all the old Oil out.

 

[AllanG]

Thanks Paul & Phil, it looks like I'm experiencing the same weird level readings as you, maybe all D4's have this same phenomena.

 

[Andrew38]

I documented a similar issue on twin D6s on this forum about 18 months ago. Briefly; at the 1st service the Volvo agent charged me for 25 litres of oil to go into engines with a listed capacity of 20 litres, when I queried this they checked with Volvo and VP had them drain the engines and refill with 20 litres. They were then told to trim the dipsticks to the new level. I have it on record with them that on this basis the engines ran for the first year overfilled with oil!

I've since learnt that overfilling is worse than overfilling but it is worrying that the VP dealership was happy to put 25% too much oil in.