Oil overfill warning

Macv60 · Oct 26th, 2021, 14:09

I have now had a second oil overfill service under warranty on my 2019 V60 D4.

The dealer service staff seem very nervous when I try to discuss this problem with them. I suspect they may be under pressure from Volvo to downplay the problem.

The starting point for this post is to get confirmation of what the problem is. Various posts suggest it may be due to a software error, a sensor error, recalibration of the oil level after servicing or more worrying, the contamination of the oil with diesel when the DPF cleansing cycle is aborted.

I am currently working on the basis that my problems may be due to the DPF cleansing cycle being aborted. When the warning first appeared in 2020 the service staff seemed to understand the problem by asking if I was doing lots of short journeys.

The first incident happened during lockdown when I did no long journeys. I had to cancel a trip away as I was told that I would be driving at my own risk whilst waiting around 6 weeks for the oil to be changed.

Having been caught out I have subsequently kept a close eye on the oil level and have tried to prevent the problem by making, often unnecessary, longer trips driving in lower gears to clear the filter on each new tank of fuel.

Very annoyed to report that the problem came back in September after a 5 hour journey to Devon. I have to assume the software decided to cleanse the DPF during the one hour that I sat in a traffic jam.

When I was mistakenly offered a service slot over a month away I complained that I did not want to run the car (at my risk) with diesel in the oil. I was told that there shouldn't be any damage as the level of contamination was very low.

The service was actually carried out relatively quickly but on checking I spotted that the oil was refilled to 3/4 of the range between min and max. The three previous services filled the oil to maximum. I am waiting for a reply to find out if the underfilling was deliberate or a mistake.

If the oil has been underfilled deliberately it doesn't solve the problem it merely hides it and could leave the car running with a considerably bigger volume of diesel contaminating the oil before the overfill warning appears.

Has anyone managed to get Volvo to provide a long term solution to this problem? Other threads suggest there has been an issue for years without a solution and I suspect Volvo have little interest in sorting this out as we move towards electric cars.

I face the prospect of having to pay for further oil changes and possible engine damage when the car runs out of warranty in March 2022

volvo s60 2001 · Oct 26th, 2021, 14:43

The same old stories with these 2l VEA engines. I have lost any faith in Volvo's engineering. For the last 8 years they couldn't managed to sort it out.
Software updates, EGR valves, EGR coolers and so on, but the problem is still there. The only difference is the age and mileage of the car when it first starts.

I hope you have some luck with your car 🤞.

nu11eaf · Oct 26th, 2021, 16:33

The good point about the oil level being filled to the half way point is you can see if it starts to rise, if it is filled to the top of the scale you have no idea until it brings the high level warning on.
There is very little difference in volume between the half way and full scale its not a measurement of the actual sump level just the min and max levels, between half and max is ideal.
It could have been filled just below the warning before and maybe heat after a long run expands it to trip in the warning but that could be BS.

scotchglen · Oct 26th, 2021, 18:56

i have a 2014 xc60 d4 2.4 awd had same problem for the last 2-3 years, every 7-10 weeks have to have oil taken out to bring oil level back down, 2-3 oil and filter changes a year, admitted do lots of short journeys try to do long journey once a month but still end up with overfill warnings, been to volvo main dealers and volvo indi specialist who both say it shouldnt be doing it and dont know why it is. they suggested anything from a remap to injector replacement but couldnt guarantee it would fix the problem. thought about changing the car but absolutely love it apart from oil problem, can also get alot of oil and filter changes for the 20 odd thousand pounds to replace it

Macv60 · Oct 26th, 2021, 19:44

Many thanks for the interesting replies.

I really like my car and don't want to change having got used some of the brilliant extras that were specced. I would struggle to get these on a second hand car and the current timescale for building new cars is too long.

I can't believe that Volvo have not sorted this problem out.

I really do not like the attitude of the dealer service team. I think they are under pressure to downplay the problem but this comes across as treating their customers like idiots. They like to talk about excess liquid rather than diesel pollution. They never actually agree that the increase in level is due to the DPF cleansing cycle but interestingly they never disagree when I suggest this.

I will continue to schedule longer runs to try to avoid the problem. Not very climate friendly as some of these will be unnecessary. If I can limit the problem to one additional oil change a year I might keep the car

Milky74 · Oct 26th, 2021, 19:58

just had the same on my 2018 XC60 D4, Dealer drained oil and recalibrated, As well as changing both front and rear cam journal seals as the oil was leaking out.

piotrek · Oct 27th, 2021, 08:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macv60

I am currently working on the basis that my problems may be due to the DPF cleansing cycle being aborted. When the warning first appeared in 2020 the service staff seemed to understand the problem by asking if I was doing lots of short journeys.

You can observe the soot level and DPF cleansing cycle in a 2019 SPA V60 D4 on a smartphone, all you need is a cheap obd2 dongle.

The free Car Scanner ElmObd2 app (Android/iOS) shows the DPF regen and DPF soot level in % - it is called "normalised trigger for PF regen".
This app works even in older Volvos (2014 V60 D4, etc).

Mad Malc · Oct 27th, 2021, 10:59

Thanks for that 'p', just downloaded the app and found the appropriate section, all I need is the dongle to be delivered and I can 'play'.

Chudy85 · Oct 27th, 2021, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by piotrek

You can observe the soot level and DPF cleansing cycle in a 2019 SPA V60 D4 on a smartphone, all you need is a cheap obd2 dongle.

The free Car Scanner ElmObd2 app (Android/iOS) shows the DPF regen and DPF soot level in % - it is called "normalised trigger for PF regen".
This app works even in older Volvos (2014 V60 D4, etc).

I will check this app later

nu11eaf · Oct 27th, 2021, 12:45

[QUOTE=piotrek;2780332]You can observe the soot level and DPF cleansing cycle in a 2019 SPA V60 D4 on a smartphone, all you need is a cheap obd2 dongle. The free Car Scanner ElmObd2 app (Android/iOS) shows the DPF regen and DPF soot level in % - it is called "normalised trigger for PF regen".

Which particular app are you using, there are several to choose from, at the moment I have the Torgue Lite app. Used with my ELM327.

Oct 26th, 2021, 14:09	#1
Macv60 New Member Last Online: Nov 14th, 2021 13:21 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Chelmsford	Oil overfill warning I have now had a second oil overfill service under warranty on my 2019 V60 D4. The dealer service staff seem very nervous when I try to discuss this problem with them. I suspect they may be under pressure from Volvo to downplay the problem. The starting point for this post is to get confirmation of what the problem is. Various posts suggest it may be due to a software error, a sensor error, recalibration of the oil level after servicing or more worrying, the contamination of the oil with diesel when the DPF cleansing cycle is aborted. I am currently working on the basis that my problems may be due to the DPF cleansing cycle being aborted. When the warning first appeared in 2020 the service staff seemed to understand the problem by asking if I was doing lots of short journeys. The first incident happened during lockdown when I did no long journeys. I had to cancel a trip away as I was told that I would be driving at my own risk whilst waiting around 6 weeks for the oil to be changed. Having been caught out I have subsequently kept a close eye on the oil level and have tried to prevent the problem by making, often unnecessary, longer trips driving in lower gears to clear the filter on each new tank of fuel. Very annoyed to report that the problem came back in September after a 5 hour journey to Devon. I have to assume the software decided to cleanse the DPF during the one hour that I sat in a traffic jam. When I was mistakenly offered a service slot over a month away I complained that I did not want to run the car (at my risk) with diesel in the oil. I was told that there shouldn't be any damage as the level of contamination was very low. The service was actually carried out relatively quickly but on checking I spotted that the oil was refilled to 3/4 of the range between min and max. The three previous services filled the oil to maximum. I am waiting for a reply to find out if the underfilling was deliberate or a mistake. If the oil has been underfilled deliberately it doesn't solve the problem it merely hides it and could leave the car running with a considerably bigger volume of diesel contaminating the oil before the overfill warning appears. Has anyone managed to get Volvo to provide a long term solution to this problem? Other threads suggest there has been an issue for years without a solution and I suspect Volvo have little interest in sorting this out as we move towards electric cars. I face the prospect of having to pay for further oil changes and possible engine damage when the car runs out of warranty in March 2022

Oct 26th, 2021, 16:33	#3
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:49 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	The good point about the oil level being filled to the half way point is you can see if it starts to rise, if it is filled to the top of the scale you have no idea until it brings the high level warning on. There is very little difference in volume between the half way and full scale its not a measurement of the actual sump level just the min and max levels, between half and max is ideal. It could have been filled just below the warning before and maybe heat after a long run expands it to trip in the warning but that could be BS. __________________ XC90 Inscription D5 Power pulse, 2017 MY, Savile grey, Blond Nappa, Leather dash/door tops, Walnut inlays, Dark tinted windows, Air suspension, Bliss/Cross traffic alert, Xenium/7 seat comfort/Family/Winter packs, 4 zone climate, Heated rear seats.

Oct 26th, 2021, 18:56	#4
scotchglen Junior Member Last Online: Today 07:58 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Nottingham	i have a 2014 xc60 d4 2.4 awd had same problem for the last 2-3 years, every 7-10 weeks have to have oil taken out to bring oil level back down, 2-3 oil and filter changes a year, admitted do lots of short journeys try to do long journey once a month but still end up with overfill warnings, been to volvo main dealers and volvo indi specialist who both say it shouldnt be doing it and dont know why it is. they suggested anything from a remap to injector replacement but couldnt guarantee it would fix the problem. thought about changing the car but absolutely love it apart from oil problem, can also get alot of oil and filter changes for the 20 odd thousand pounds to replace it Last edited by scotchglen; Oct 26th, 2021 at 19:00.

Oct 26th, 2021, 19:44	#5
Macv60 New Member Last Online: Nov 14th, 2021 13:21 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Chelmsford	Thanks Many thanks for the interesting replies. I really like my car and don't want to change having got used some of the brilliant extras that were specced. I would struggle to get these on a second hand car and the current timescale for building new cars is too long. I can't believe that Volvo have not sorted this problem out. I really do not like the attitude of the dealer service team. I think they are under pressure to downplay the problem but this comes across as treating their customers like idiots. They like to talk about excess liquid rather than diesel pollution. They never actually agree that the increase in level is due to the DPF cleansing cycle but interestingly they never disagree when I suggest this. I will continue to schedule longer runs to try to avoid the problem. Not very climate friendly as some of these will be unnecessary. If I can limit the problem to one additional oil change a year I might keep the car

Oct 26th, 2021, 19:58	#6
Milky74 New Member Last Online: Apr 9th, 2024 18:06 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Donny	just had the same on my 2018 XC60 D4, Dealer drained oil and recalibrated, As well as changing both front and rear cam journal seals as the oil was leaking out. __________________ XC60 MY18 D4 R Design AWD Bursting Blue Polestar, Apple CarPlay, Temp spare wheel, Towbar.

Oct 26th, 2021, 14:43	#2
volvo s60 2001 Senior Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 21:13 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London	The same old stories with these 2l VEA engines. I have lost any faith in Volvo's engineering. For the last 8 years they couldn't managed to sort it out. Software updates, EGR valves, EGR coolers and so on, but the problem is still there. The only difference is the age and mileage of the car when it first starts. I hope you have some luck with your car 🤞.

Oct 27th, 2021, 10:59	#8
Mad Malc Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2024 13:37 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Filey	Thanks for that 'p', just downloaded the app and found the appropriate section, all I need is the dongle to be delivered and I can 'play'.

Oct 27th, 2021, 12:45	#10
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:49 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	[QUOTE=piotrek;2780332]You can observe the soot level and DPF cleansing cycle in a 2019 SPA V60 D4 on a smartphone, all you need is a cheap obd2 dongle. The free Car Scanner ElmObd2 app (Android/iOS) shows the DPF regen and DPF soot level in % - it is called "normalised trigger for PF regen". Which particular app are you using, there are several to choose from, at the moment I have the Torgue Lite app. Used with my ELM327. __________________ XC90 Inscription D5 Power pulse, 2017 MY, Savile grey, Blond Nappa, Leather dash/door tops, Walnut inlays, Dark tinted windows, Air suspension, Bliss/Cross traffic alert, Xenium/7 seat comfort/Family/Winter packs, 4 zone climate, Heated rear seats. Last edited by nu11eaf; Oct 27th, 2021 at 12:47.

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