Ok sorry if this has been covered before, but I have a newbie question I'm sure can be answered easily:

The oil level indicator doesn't work (i've tried the cruise control button process) and so I expect the sensor's faulty.

I had the oil changed by a specialist in November when it had a big service, and now I'm ready to do an oil and filter change myself for the first time.

Since the oil capacity is 9.4 litres, is it simply a matter of meausring this out accurately and pouring in that amount?

With oil capacity you have a minimum and maximum the engine will like, the minimum amount it will run on with no bother is less than the lowest level on the "dip stick" be it a real one or electronic level indicator...

However, the maximum amount is very close to the "full" mark...

You have to take this into account and not over fill it... it wants to be somewhere between the min and max....

IIRC it's a good ltr between min and max so don't over fill it...

Don't measure what comes out as the oil may have diesel in it and remember not all the oil comes out on a change...

I'm not going to say how much I think you should put in but you need to bear the above in mind when filling....  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I can only relate to the 4.4 in the L322, but anything over 8.5 litres of new oil immediately brings up the “overfilled” refer to handbook message.

I'd recommend getting the level indicator fixed in the first instance. There really is no reason not to do this. Then you know exactly if you have the correct volume in there to start with.

If you simply replace what you take out, you could:
A) be underfilling because your engine may have used oil (starting off with less than the correct volume)
B) be overfilling because your oil may have been diluted with fuel as a result of DPF regens (starting off with more than the correct volume) Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Last edited by knwatkins on 14th May 2023 8:57am. Edited 1 time in total

Baltic Blue wrote:

I can only relate to the 4.4 in the L322, but anything over 8.5 litres of new oil immediately brings up the “overfilled” refer to handbook message.

Thanks for the replies all. It seems it's not so simple after all.

I guess what I'm asking is 'What did the garage do when I had it serviced in November?"

I don't think I want to bother getting the sensor fixed - it seems like a very expensive job. I will be changing every 6 months, and will probably do less that 6k a year.

THere must be an optimal measured amount of oil for refilling, but I'm hearing that there is no consensus.

Of course, it's obvious that I wouldn't put back in what I take out, since this may have diesel in it.

Kev seems to have actual experience of putting in 9.4 litres without issue. Pete seems to have the opinion (if I understand correctly) that 9.4 would be "Max" on a dipstick, and you should put in something between "Min" and "Max". The question would then be "How many litres are "Min"?"

Has anyone else had experience of putting in a measured amount of oil?

Suki have you enquired about getting the sensor repaired? overfinch modified

I understand it's a big job, since the sump needs a stripdown. I've heard reports of £900 or more.

I'm really looking to find out how much oil goes in the engine at the oil change.

IIRC it's a huge job on the 405 as the sensor is in the sump, on the 322 it's outside the sump...

If it was me I wouldn't put anywhere near 9.4 ltrs, overfilling is bad news, somewhere between min and max is better....

They make the oil level so high so the engine is not starved of oil when the fatty is at 45degrees or something close, in any orientation whilst off road.

It only needs to be on the full mark if you intend to have the fatty at such angles, normal driving and less is better IMHO....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I changed my oil 2 weeks ago i know its supposed to be 9.4 litres to change but i dont like to overfill, i put in exactly 9 litres of smith and allan oil and the gauge reads full - oil level ok hope this helps

Great thank you! I think this is what I'll need to do.

Do a search there are other reasons why the oil gauge is not working

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic62224.html 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue