Hi All
I’ve been reading the forum for some time, but this is my first post because I couldn’t find the answer to my question and I’m driving my wife nuts moaning about this.

I have a MY16 Vogue and I’m sure that I’m experiencing the oil dilution problem like many others have/are, as I’m currently only getting about 3000 miles between the service light coming on. I’ve seen a lot of older threads where people are talking about this, but I’m wondering what people are doing now with those MY16/17 cars now that they are 5-6 years old? Are they changing the oil frequently themselves, or has a software update fixed the problem, or is there another magic fix?
As I drive along and see other older L405s I wonder to myself, are they still suffering? I see quite a few tatty ones and can’t imagine people are spending lots on maintenance. Are they just ignoring the service light?

I bought the car from a JLR dealership with a 2-year warranty, which I have just renewed for another year. The car had 42,000 on the clock when I got it, and it now has 66,000. I’ve used two dealerships for the servicing, one denies there is a problem and explains that the “service light wasn’t reset properly last time”, which is why it keeps coming on, but the other has said it’s due to my driving style and therefore failed DPF regens and oil dilutions. Despite the car now having 66,000, I’ve continued to receive the free oil changes, but I suspect this goodwill will eventually run out.

I’ve been looking at the trade in prices on offer at the moment and I’m thinking about selling and sitting on the money, until MY18/19 models come into budget. Or I just keep it and keep getting the service light reset.

Sorry for the long post, but your views would be much appreciated.

Is the DPF working properly and regenerating or simply requesting too many regens and hence the oil dilution?
Do you do long runs or lots of short ones?
I’d be hammering the dealer for a resolution Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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The DPF light hasn’t come on over the last 24,000 miles, so I guess the DPF regen is working OK.
I’ve tried to avoid short journeys of less than 10 miles, but they cannot be totally avoided. My commute to the office is a 50 mile round trip, but the last 5 miles can be heavy traffic.
I’ve also tried putting in better quality fuel and ensuring the tank doesn’t run below 1/2 tank, but I don’t think any of these things have made a difference.
I also wondered if it would be worth having the DPF flushed out, but since the light has never come on, I didn’t think it would make much difference.

I’ve checked the service history prior to my ownership and it was averaging 10-12k miles a year, but I can’t tell if there were any intermediate oil changes.

What can I realistically expect from the dealership at this point? Have I left it too long ?

you don't say what engine you have. This may be a bigger problem if it's a TDV6 rather than the TDV8. Jags and Ewoks are finding this problem. It's caused by the DPF initiation pumping extra fuel to the pdf to raise temps. If your car isn't doing a regen properly it will pump unburnt fuel and this can make its way into the crankcase.

Yes it’s the 3.0 TDV6.
I’m fairly convinced it’s as you describe DolphinBoy, but I’m curious to hear what others have done about it.
Whilst it’s under warranty it’s just the inconvenience of having the interim oil changes, plus the annoyance of knowing that the car has a fundamental design flaw.
I suspect many people with cars of this age don’t have a warranty still, so are they just doing the oil changes themselves, or are they ignoring the early oil service warnings? Or is there a magic fix?

In case it’s any help, I have a 2016 SDV8 and have typically been getting 12,000 miles between services. 2016 SDV8 AB

Thanks ABAB, that just makes me envious

Out of interest, is the service interval indicator on the InControl App or in the car linked to the online service history in any way? My last service wasn’t recorded on the website and when I logged on it said that there was an urgent bulletin. I called the dealership and they updated the record and the bulletin on the website disappeared. Could this have brought the service light on?

Just got back from a weeks holiday in Norfolk and the service indicator is now at zero.
It came on when we arrived, after doing 130miles, saying service in 1350. I tried to avoid short trips whilst there, but travelled about 70 miles in total. The computer said 550 miles to next service before leaving Norfolk. Got back to Derbyshire after doing the return 130 miles and it’s now at zero.

I’m clearly no expert, but That sort of mileage doesn’t suggest oil dilution does it? Could it be something else like a faulty sensor perhaps?

It’s booked in to dealership for MOT on 20th sept, so they said they will take a look. I presume it’s OK to drive in the meantime, as there are no other warning lights on at the moment?

FIRST
It will most likely be oil dilution.
If you want to use the car before its seen at the dealers, fully change or refresh half the oil for peace of mind, you could also send a used sample away for testing. This will certainly confirm your fears one way or the other.

SECOND
Does your oil level sensor work? if so has the oil level increased?

I ask, as I recently had the same issue with the miles to service running down, I checked the oil level and it was not working, even after the "open the bonnet trick"

So checked with my OBD2 device and it showed me errors on the oil sensor (level and temp) out of range and also registered high sump level. I called out LR assist under pretence unable to start the car as it possibly was over full and dangerous to do so. He diagnosed faulty sensor and booked it in, same day, and of course they arranged the hire car there and then.

A couple of days later received a call from the dealer saying it was fixed apparently it was oil leaking from the oil sensor (grommet) bung? onto the harness connection. So why was there no oil leaking on my drive? I suspect they will never tell me the real reason
And the report stated that this was re-fitted properly!!! Under warranty----(Its never been touched by anyone other than dealers)

I had previously asked the service dept when dropping this off, has N375v2 been done? if so when (Yes Sir to the first and no answer to date for the 2nd). Can only assume it was their fault when they replaced the turbo actuator and hence N375v2 in April/May time

On another note, I suspect the oil dilution calculation would also incorporate sump level along with failed dpf regenerations amongst other things. (Anyone have a Yes/No chart regarding oil dilution calls?)

Sorry for the long reply but thought my experience was another possibility, simple test for you is to see if your oil level works or not, even use a OBD2 device to check for errors. If all good then consider FIRST if you want to drive the car. 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

Hi KOT

Thanks for the detailed and extensive reply. I’ll check the oil level later today.
I rang the dealership this morning and it’s going in first thing in the morning. The service manager remembered me calling at the beginning of the week, but wasn’t surprised to hear that the service indicator was now showing zero miles.
Again, his answer was to reset the light. I think it will be easier to discuss this face to face. 2016 Vogue 3.0 TDV6

Thats good news getting it in tomorrow, ask them to test the oil, for oil dilution, dont be fobbed off, they can do this.

The idea from the service Manager that a previous LR tech didn't reset the service counter properly is alarming, its something they do multiple times every day.
The solution here is not to just reset the light!!!! if they do, get it in writing! 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

Would removing the DPF solve my oil dilution problems on my 4.4 SDV8?

Yes it would!
BUT It wont be road legal, it will fail MOT, its Insurance would be null and void. It could be then crushed! 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

Hi Tony,
What you suggest is not a good idea on a MY2017 vehicle, from a legal & resale point of view.
The vehicle will no longer comply with current Euro 6 legislation.

We have to accept that all DPF-equipped FFRR diesels suffer from oil dilution, and this is exacerbated with short trips and failed regens, -there is a ton of info on here if you search the word “regen”.

What to do? There is NO WAY to extend the Service Interval to the official 16,000 miles, -unless you live on a motorway, perhaps. If interim oil changes aren’t acceptable, sell the car.
OTOH, if you are prepared to buy the kit, you can monitor DPF soot and regens cheaply, and do interim DIY oil/filter changes yourself in 20 mins for under £50 without even crawling under the car.
Changing the oil at least twice a year also means you are not “maxing out” dilution to 10% before servicing, in my opinion not a good idea as it increases risk of engine failure.

Keep reading!  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?