So, on Friday I had to top up the oil as it was getting worryingly low after almost 3.000 miles, and instead of taking it to the dealer, I decided I'd do this myself, wanting to test how the consumption would be affected now on by using Castrol Edge 5W40. (I don't know why the garage used Shell Helix 5w30 on the 10.000 miles service, seems not good enough to me anyway).

The thing is I did not do this by adding 0,5L increments as stated in the manual, but instead I added something around 2 - 2,5L according to the indicators on the side of bottle. Judging by the almost invisible reading on the dipstick (below the crucial "C marked" range) and the fact the oil reservoir should be 3,6L for the vRS, there should have been less than 1L remaining before I topped up, so I figured 2,5 would be just enough. However, when I did another reading after I had finished topping, I saw that the level was now standing very high, higher than the A marked range anyway. Now, the manual warns that if the oil level exceeds range A, there is danger of damaging the catalytic converter, and to be honest I started having second thoughts If everything is still fine. My question is would there be a visible sign of something being wrong (smoke, exhaust residues, weird noise) If I had actually over-topped or I would just find out when I would have my MOT test (which won't take place for another 3 years time) ?

To go from min to max on the dipstick takes around 1 litre of oil, if you have put 2 - 2.5 in then its way over full and could result in terminal engine damage if driven.

You wont see any sign as oil will be ingested into the cat at the very least, and will clog it up leading to an expensive repair.

To go from min to max on the dipstick takes around 1 litre of oil, if you have put 2 - 2.5 in then its way over full and could result in terminal engine damage if driven.

You wont see any sign as oil will be ingested into the cat at the very least, and will clog it up leading to an expensive repair.

Great... I already did 100 miles since the topping up... What do you suggest now?

Better drain it at a mechanic's shop and start all over again.

As above - dealer told me when new its 1L from bottom to the full on the dipstick markings.

I'd call Skoda Assist and they'll take the plug out and drain some.

If it has too much oil it can make it froth and not run round the engine.

You filled with the 4L can from Halfords etc?

The 5W30 and 5W40 are both fine in this engine - the 5W30 is for fixed and 5W40 for variable servicing - 5W30 is thinner and better for protection in colder months apparently.

Great... I already did 100 miles since the topping up... What do you suggest now?

Personally, I would drain the lot out and measure how much was in there. Then put a measured amount of fresh oil back in.

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by 999pooch

Well I'll take it to a garage today but the thing is, if mannyo is correct and any damage was to be done, it would have certainly taken place by now as I drove some 100-150 miles this weekend, mostly at constant highway speeds... So, not much I can do I guess....

'Skoda Assist'

My worry is how do I see If now something is wrong? Shouldn't any EPC/CEL lights come on? Maybe a diagnostics scan through VCDS would show up any error?

I need to send away the suspicion that I've ruined something, or worst case accept something's damaged and see what that is and fix it...

I'd consider not using Skoda assist, in case this gets recorded in the car's history... over 1L overfull is not good. You need to drain either some, or all, then refill back to the max mark on the dipstick.

My worry is how do I see If now something is wrong? Shouldn't any EPC/CEL lights come on? Maybe a diagnostics scan through VCDS would show up any error?

I need to send away the suspicion that I've ruined something, or worst case accept something's damaged and see what that is and fix it...

You won't. Drain the excess oil, then stop worrying, unless you see a lot of smoke. If the cat is damaged it might fail an emissions test, but you won't know that until an MOT check.

You won't. Drain the excess oil, then stop worrying, unless you see a lot of smoke. If the cat is damaged it might fail an emissions test, but you won't know that until an MOT check.

Right, so I'll just drain it and wait to see if these 100 miles had been catastrophic or not in a few years time I guess... This update will surely take some time... BTW there's no smoke coming out from the exhaust, It was the first thing I checked, who knows...

Now a catalytic converter's repair would be ok, what mannyo said about engine damage is what scared me the most TBH...

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by newbie69

Usually it would take more than 100 miles to cause damage.

Just pop under the car, undo the sump plug and drain some out.

I think your car is fine. It can't be that easy to destroy a car.

On the other hand car manufacturers should have an overfill sensor placed somewhere there to protect the car. Why is there only the minimum oil level sensor and not the over maximum oil level sensor ?

Last time I heard someone plugged a car into a diagnostics machine after being overfilled with oil, the "computer" said the lambda sensors, cat and coil pack had all failed...if there isn't a sensor for overfilling (thats why there's a dipstick....), it can't detect it.

Every more miles you drive increases the chance of it wrecking something unless you drain the excess out.

Hence why I said call Skoda Assist and let them take some out and put it back in! Or, do it yourself?

Last time I heard someone plugged a car into a diagnostics machine after being overfilled with oil, the "computer" said the lambda sensors, cat and coil pack had all failed...if there isn't a sensor for overfilling (thats why there's a dipstick....), it can't detect it.

Every more miles you drive increases the chance of it wrecking something unless you drain the excess out.

By the way, does anybody know how could I scan for such errors with VCDS? Which is the correct module to use?

Hence why I said call Skoda Assist and let them take some out and put it back in! Or, do it yourself?

I am being skeptical about Skoda Assistance as like others said, it could be recorded/related with the car and used against even a legitimate repair under warranty... I already booked a nearby DIY garage and will do it myself this afternoon.

You can always ask an MOT tester to check just the emissions - shouldn't cost much.

( best done after a few miles since correcting oil level.

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by punyXpress

Should I really get a new drain plug or I can use the old one after draining the reservoir? This guy here uses a new one but says use at least a new washer If you re-use the old one:

What is the point of replacing plug/washer after such a short use? (Car has 12K miles)

You should be ok re-using the original drain plug,i would just replace it at the next service.

As above...

What is the point of replacing plug/washer after such a short use? (Car has 12K miles)

Once upon a time car mechanics used to not to change the plug and also they over tightened it in order to keep oil sump sealed, so after many oil changes it became lose and allowed oil to drop. That's why.

Stop worring that much, you'll get older in no time and then it will be too difficult to get you married.

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by stratosg

As above...

Once upon a time car mechanics used to not to change the plug and also they over tightened it in order to keep oil sump sealed, so after many oil changes it became lose and allowed oil to drop. That's why.

Stop worring that much, you'll get older in no time and then it will be too difficult to get you married.

lol.... I'm only afraid if my engine (as you say) gets older in no time! I managed to get married by now so you can tick that one out....

Yeah as above newbie69 empty some, it will damage if you don't remove I have a vacuum sump pump for such kok ups, don't worry unduly tho it sohould be fine, as above check emission after you've sorted

Done it, it now has just the right amount in... The detail which is missing from the manual is that, as others have said, from min to max it only takes 1 litre. Below 2.5 there's almost no indication on the dipstick and suddenly from that point on, every drop counts... If only that had been mentioned in the manual along with the rest of the information it would have saved me all that fuss...

Anyway, probably I need to do a diagnostics scan or even emission check in order to be 100% calm but I can see that being done at some time in the future and not right now, at least as long as no funny lights/warnings have come up neither there is any strange smoke from the exhaust.

Thanks for all the tips guys!

Newbie69, can i ask,

was the Oil after the Oil change then checked as at the correct level after the oil was brought up to running temperature,

and are you checking it now after running it to above 85 degrees celcius and then letting it sit for a couple of minutes before Dipping?

george

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by sk4gw