I picked up a 2011 4.4tdv8 a few weeks ago and it’s been well looked after (from everything I can see).

Since I got it, the battery low warning would come on after about 5mins of being in the car if the engine isn’t on (ignition on), so it’s pretty clear that the battery is on its way out. Despite this it has never failed to start, but nor has it managed to maintain a charge (after being connected to a CTEK charger) and always reverted to the battery low warning (even the morning after being charged all night). I’ve made my peace with it needing a new battery which is being fitted on Saturday.

The slighter stranger issue is regarding the oil level. I checked it a week or so ago and it showed just below the half level mark, I have since checked it today and it is on its lowest marking (saying “under-filled”). I haven’t really driven it and there’s no apparent oil leak, so I can’t understand where ~2L oil may have gone.

The next odd thing is having just checked the oil level again, it went from “top up 1L” to “ top up 1.5L” to “under-filled” after turning on the ignition in the space of ~5 seconds.

It got me wondering whether the ropey battery may be leading to odd oil level readings.

Has anyone got any ideas on how to rationalise this? I’m going to put 1L of oil in and see if that gets picked up on the gauge, if it does I’ll put more in and then get onto exploring where the oil is going.

I’m open to all suggestions, the more creative side of me thought LR electrics might play games with a dying battery, but I’m sure the wise brains on this forum can point me in the right direction.

Thanks
David

Have you just bought this if I’m correct?
If yes, take it back for them to check.
Are you checking it cold or 25min after shut down of hot engine? 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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I’m checking it cold, and will get the dealer to resolve it if it is worth the trip there. I’m hoping there is an easier and faster resolution. Current: Range Rover L322 4.4tdv8, Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 2, BMW 535d Touring, Skoda Fabia, BMW S1000XR

My opinion, for what it’s worth,……
1) I wouldn’t take it anywhere if I thought it could be low oil and reading correctly.
2) For certain , you need to suck out the oil and measure what comes out.
3) If you get over 8 litres out, you can either put back in, or replace it with 8 litres of new oil. Either way you then know it is safe to drive it and take it back to get it sorted out.

Don’t drive it until you are confident it has got at least 8 litres of oil in the sump.

Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

I was going to say the same thing about sucking the oil out
The Draper Expert 10L is the one we all use  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
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the suggestions, is this the oil extractor? https://www.toolstation.com/draper-expert-...tor/p51293 Current: Range Rover L322 4.4tdv8, Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 2, BMW 535d Touring, Skoda Fabia, BMW S1000XR

A failing battery can cause all sorts of false sensor readings but you can check the level immediately after shut down when there is probably enough voltage by having the bonnet open and pressing the cruise cancel button on the steering wheel until the level shows up. It will be a bit lower than when cold or after 30mins but shouldn't be that far off. If it's OK I'd go straight for a battery replacement. If it's not OK I'd worry where the oil is going and how far it's been driven by the previous owner on low oil and I'd take it back to the dealer for a refund which you can do under the sale of good act. Also check your coolant expansion tank for oil contamination as the oil cooler seals fail on these engines - not if but when. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Silly question maybe, but are you checking it in the same location each time and is the ground completely level, if its at the lower end of the scale and you check on uneven ground it could throw it under the minimum. I have that problem with mine but the other end. Once full if I check it slightly nose up it reads over full! But definitely don’t drive till you know it has oil in it.
Just a thought, and good luck getting it sorted.

Davidmudley wrote:

Thanks for the suggestions, is this the oil extractor? https://www.toolstation.com/draper-expert-...tor/p51293

Yep  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
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the thoughts & feedback. I've spoken with the dealer that I bought the car from and they've shared the preparation invoice with me that has fluids and a new battery listed on it, as a result they've asked me to bring the car in so that they can have a look over it.

With any luck I can fit this in today (assuming I can top up the oil to a safe level) and report back shortly. Current: Range Rover L322 4.4tdv8, Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 2, BMW 535d Touring, Skoda Fabia, BMW S1000XR

So it turns out that the oil and coolant were topped up 3 weeks ago, when it was also fitted with a new battery.

The dealer has checked for any leaks and there are none. It’s reading normal now after putting 1L of oil in so I’ll keep and eye on things over the next week.

Does anyone else’s battery struggle to power the car for ~5mins with the ignition on but not the engine before the low battery shut down kicks in? Current: Range Rover L322 4.4tdv8, Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 2, BMW 535d Touring, Skoda Fabia, BMW S1000XR

Check what battery they put in. It should be an AGM battery, if it’s not then this will cause issues….. Also the Car needs updating to show it that it has had a new battery, especially if the old one was completely duff. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

I’d be worried of the fact of putting 1 litre of oil in depending how many miles it has done since last been changed also. If there are no leaks must be burning it. Which would need to be kept an eye on 2016 4.4 diesel

I get low battery warnings occasionally when I have been playing about with iid etc with ignition on but engine not running,
but I very regularly check the oil level reading, again with engine off, but it ALWAYS reads either full or 1 notch down.
Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair