You need the software update
T6.1 oil level warning: Reduce Oil Level!
- Thread starter Matthewsn79
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- dipstick oil oil warning light t6.1
It’s had the software update. I travel 40 miles to my work & 40 miles home every day for 3 weeks trying to clear it out after having a Guy from VW assist reducing it by half a litre. It’s rising on the dipstick all the time & Hawco’s Inverness van centre won’t answer my calls or voice messages. Spoke to the receptionist once & she said it’s maybe just needing a good run!! Absolutely disgusting way i have been treated. Just about had enough of this.
Well, looks like my local main dealer is washing their hands if the issue with my transporter.
Hadn’t used it after the third go at installing the update until the weekend, the journey was 2.5 hours 156 miles non stop, but after around 50 miles on came the warning.
Pulled over and flipped bonnet to clear the fault and it happened again before we got to our destination.
Took it back to VW today who now tell me that it’s my fault because I’m not letting the regen happen and fuel is getting in the oil.
Not sure how many times these vans do a regen but it must be a lot to be dumping that much fuel in the oil even when its constant driving.
So I asked if they would change the oil if that’s what’s happening and they said they would but there would be a charge as VW have designed the engine to work this way.
Give me back my 2.5 5 cylinder!!!
Hadn’t used it after the third go at installing the update until the weekend, the journey was 2.5 hours 156 miles non stop, but after around 50 miles on came the warning.
Pulled over and flipped bonnet to clear the fault and it happened again before we got to our destination.
Took it back to VW today who now tell me that it’s my fault because I’m not letting the regen happen and fuel is getting in the oil.
Not sure how many times these vans do a regen but it must be a lot to be dumping that much fuel in the oil even when its constant driving.
So I asked if they would change the oil if that’s what’s happening and they said they would but there would be a charge as VW have designed the engine to work this way.
Give me back my 2.5 5 cylinder!!!
Nick_Hants
New Member
I took my van back to the dealer I bought it from, fingers crossed they have fixed it - no software update as of yet... As highlighted in the California Time youtube video, they drained the oil and refilled only to a 1/4 mark. The sensor needs to see a big change in the level, before it will be happy. I have covered 500 miles since this has been done and I have not seen the error reappear. I now need to recheck the oil level, with the engine at 90 degs, leave it off for 5 mins and check the level - I am confident it will be slightly higher than the 1/4 they filled up, but not by a great deal, I then plan on filling it up to just over 1/2 full and see how it goes.
Currently in discussion with my local van centre regarding the high oil level warning. They are claiming that the oil is overfilled. The oil is at the top of the hatched area on the dipstick which when looking at the manual seems acceptable. The van is a 2020 T6.1 110. They claim the oil needs to be drained, software update carried out and exactly 6.4litres of oil refilled. (at my expense) Unless I am missing something I cannot find anything that mentions 6.4litres of oil?? Just correct oil grade and a level on the dipstick between min and max. ( or A/B)
I asked them what 6.4 litres measures when looking at the dipstick, they couldn’t tell me and just kept quoting 6.4 litres.
Any knowledge of this
cheers
nigel
I asked them what 6.4 litres measures when looking at the dipstick, they couldn’t tell me and just kept quoting 6.4 litres.
Any knowledge of this
cheers
nigel
Nick_Hants
New Member
In my experience, the software is the excuse given by the dealers, I don't believe a software update will fix this. It needs to be drained and filled correctly - done at the correct engine temperature and not on a cold engine. I have done over 2k miles since my oil level has been corrected and touchwood, the warning has not come on again.
Do not pay for an oil change, they should cover this - I would call VW customer service and complain.
That’s good to hear Nick. I’ve paid for the oil change as I need the van back, it’s a camper conversion and we’re away with it shortly. I’ll take it up with VW on my return.
Dealer has been shocking but I shouldn’t be surprised as they quoted me £5000 to fit a towbar. 3 day job apparently as the whole interior needs to come out muppets! Had a towbar fitted by a local specialist, less than half a day and less than 20% of VW’s quote.
Hopefully my VW experience will improve…it’s not been great so far.
Dealer has been shocking but I shouldn’t be surprised as they quoted me £5000 to fit a towbar. 3 day job apparently as the whole interior needs to come out muppets! Had a towbar fitted by a local specialist, less than half a day and less than 20% of VW’s quote.
Hopefully my VW experience will improve…it’s not been great so far.
Nick_Hants
New Member
Currently away and had the ‘Please reduce oil level and visit workshop’ come up after about 250miles. The driving was broken up by two 30min stops.
I’ve checked the dip stick and the oils at the top line. VW Abingdon did a oil service at the start of March.
Having not had time to read all of the posts on this not sure if this is a software issue or regen fuel in oil issue.
Just asking for some advise… can I keep driving this while away over I’d say another 1000 miles or will this cause further issues?
Trying to get through to VW Assist but been on hold for 30+min
Thanks forum
I’ve checked the dip stick and the oils at the top line. VW Abingdon did a oil service at the start of March.
Having not had time to read all of the posts on this not sure if this is a software issue or regen fuel in oil issue.
Just asking for some advise… can I keep driving this while away over I’d say another 1000 miles or will this cause further issues?
Trying to get through to VW Assist but been on hold for 30+min
Thanks forum
Mayfly
New Member
Software upgrade needed. Its a common fault.
Oil expansion. Oil level needs to allow for expansion.
Presume that's what upgrade allows for.
Since upgrade no warning light since last December.
Not all VW garages are aware of this upgrade. They think its a sensor problem They all should know about this by now.
Oil expansion. Oil level needs to allow for expansion.
Presume that's what upgrade allows for.
Since upgrade no warning light since last December.
Make sure when you go for upgrade they know about this issue. Ask them not to fill oil level too high.
Not all VW garages are aware of this upgrade. They think its a sensor problem They all should know about this by now.
Just thought I'd post an update on this.
I ended up taking the van into VW Swindon on my return and they did an oil/filter change along with the software update for the sensor.
I'm no expert but I think this whole issue is probably a consequence of short trips and the regen not completing and sending fuel into to the oil.
I guess the solution is to let the van regen in full (which I had been doing when the revs are at 1000rpm at the end of a journey), if possible do some longer runs so the engine gets warm and the soot in the exhaust burns off and do more frequent oil changes.
My OCD's glad there's no more dash warning light. Out of sight out of mind
Out of curiosity I assume this issue happens to all new diesel engines to a greater/lesser degree? And all new diesel engines do this because regulations require a reduction in pollutants coming out of diesel exhaust? So is this a design flaw or just one of those things where the benefits outweigh the negatives? My limited knowledge of mechanics says diesel in the oil isn't great for the long term condition of the engine, or not?
I ended up taking the van into VW Swindon on my return and they did an oil/filter change along with the software update for the sensor.
I'm no expert but I think this whole issue is probably a consequence of short trips and the regen not completing and sending fuel into to the oil.
I guess the solution is to let the van regen in full (which I had been doing when the revs are at 1000rpm at the end of a journey), if possible do some longer runs so the engine gets warm and the soot in the exhaust burns off and do more frequent oil changes.
My OCD's glad there's no more dash warning light. Out of sight out of mind
Out of curiosity I assume this issue happens to all new diesel engines to a greater/lesser degree? And all new diesel engines do this because regulations require a reduction in pollutants coming out of diesel exhaust? So is this a design flaw or just one of those things where the benefits outweigh the negatives? My limited knowledge of mechanics says diesel in the oil isn't great for the long term condition of the engine, or not?
Dec 70 plate 150 dsg highline here. Happen to me after first 2 oil changes but as posted by that california video guy - I also noticed the expansion from cold to hot engine from 1/2 oil stick to almost max so i just adjusted oil level to 3/5 ish(cold) on stick and it's been fine ever since. I monitored it for a few months and i saw no increase in oil, no decrease in oil and most importantly, no high oil msg. I change oil/filter every 6 month and haven't noticed anything.
It'll be interesting to know what this 'software update' actually does in real terms. I've not heard anything from VW in terms of update. Only thing I got was a letter recently about the door locks freezing which requires a fix.
It'll be interesting to know what this 'software update' actually does in real terms. I've not heard anything from VW in terms of update. Only thing I got was a letter recently about the door locks freezing which requires a fix.
Don't know what's going on here, but I've never owned a vehicle that you can only fill halfway up the dipstick, then the oil expands to top of the dipstick when hot. Not seen any noticeable rise in oil between cold and hot before, and my other 3 recent vehicles were / are also using Castrol Edge VW507.00 oil, so it can't be the oil properties.
It's not expanding. It's being diluted with diesel due to the way the engine works. It's a problem on other marques too.
Pete
Synthetic engine oil roughly expands by 1% for each 10 degC rise. So from ambient of 20 degC to 100 degC operating temperature there is an 8% increase in volume.
8% of 7.4L = 0.592L.
The Transporter engines have a bigger oil volume than the average car.
8% of 7.4L = 0.592L.
The Transporter engines have a bigger oil volume than the average car.
I’ve only ever filled my 1971 Beetle halfway up the dipstick.
I’m no mechanic but to me filling to the top adds pressure the seals might not appreciate and also means if anything does get in the oil (not unknown for petrol to get through the fuel pump diaphragm occasionally) the pressure will defo go up just as the lubricating properties go down!
Plus I half the intervals (for oil changes, the filter stays as demolishing one once showed nothing much to worry about in there).
Obvs it doesn’t have any regen faffing
Campertrucker321
Member
My 110 had only 280miles on it when this happened , Vw assist called and turned up to suck 250ml via dipstick and a software update and now turned 1000miles yesterday with no further problem, I do expect it to appear again at some stage
2020 T6.1 highline. 22k on the clock and this has just started happening. Never had an issue and the warning light has come on, called VW assist as I was on the motorway and they pulled 1L out and advised me to get a full oil change at my nearest dealer at my own expense.
Awaiting a return to the Plymouth VW van centre to assess what’s going on. Apparently didn’t seem to be aware of any software upgrade available for the issue.
Awaiting a return to the Plymouth VW van centre to assess what’s going on. Apparently didn’t seem to be aware of any software upgrade available for the issue.
