VW MASTER TECH INFO: Reduce Oil Level Warning on VW Transporter and California T6.1 - Follow Up
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- Опубликовано: 24 окт 2021
- Hi Everyone, we recently published a video explaining the DPF regeneration and fuel dilution issues we believed our Volkswagen T6.1 California had, and following this a VW Master Technician contacted us to help our understanding and give us some more information. See our first video here; • Reduce Oil Level Warni...
In this video we share what we discussed and add quite a bit more to the conversation. It could well be in many cases that it is NOT fuel dilution, but a simple over-filling misunderstanding between the factory filled oil level and PDI/service procedures.
We hope this extra information helps aid further understanding around this (potentially worrying) subject.
Keep a look out for our other new videos coming to the channel soon and a BIG thank you to all of our wonderful subscribers. We can’t wait to share more content with you over the coming months.
Take care, sit back and grab yourself some California Time !
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Contact: contact@californiatime.co.uk
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Saw this issue for the first time yesterday, in our T6.1 @ 1400 miles. Quick google search and found your videos, very helpful, thanks 👍
Sorry to hear that you've had this problem. Hopefully you're sorted now :)
Great update…good to know the master tech has such a depth of information. Very helpful.
Yes - very helpful chap. He did mention that the way that VW expect this information to be disseminated within the workshops is via the Master Techs sharing with the other staff via an internal brief / cascade process, so the expertise of other technicians within a dealership will depend on the Master Techs to some degree.
Great video and thank you for the continuous updates on the issue. Always a pleasure to watch your vids, keep enjoying the Cali. Cheers
We certainly will, thank you 😀
Hello Simon! Thank you very much for this video. I will be picking up my transporter tomorrow. One of the first things that I will do, will be checking the oil level!
Glad to be of service for you - happy new transporter day !
Firstly I would like to say thankyou for these videos explaining everything properly. I have a T6.1 November 2021. I carried out a full oil and oil filter change myself yesterday. I am very exact with the the torque settings and quantities etc etc. I put 7.4 litres of 0W 30 oil in and went for an hours drive. Hours later I checked the oil level, on level ground etc etc and the oil level on the dipstick was exactly half way.
When I went to the dealers to purchase the oil filter and oil drain plug he told me NOT to be tempted to fill the oil to the top of the dipstick because of "regen", hence watching your channel in order to understand what he meant. I drive all round town and have covered exactly 5K miles and have had no warning lights of any nature. I will always change the oil every 5K due to my style of driving, and especially because of this possible dilution problem.
I have always changed oil and oil filter regularly and it has paid off amazingly. I once had a vauxhall astra van, petrol, that did 248K miles before it gave up and many other vehicles 180K plus. I urge people to look into it, as it is easy to do and you know its spot on, because you have done it, dealers tend to rush things. The dealer also specified 0W 30, 507 spec oil NOT 5W 30, which is shame as I have quite a bit of the 5W, he said its important because if regen!!!
I think for £35 its worth an oil analysis, it will show everything, no where to hide, especially due to the fact your california cost so much.
Thanks for the advice for everyone, very wise!
Thanks for all this info, just passed 1000 miles on our new Cali Coast yesterday and this warning light came up. This info has been super useful. I have contacting dealership and will be interesting on their response.
Glad it helped. We're well past 4000 miles on the Cali now since I did the level change and no light on again. Touch wood!!
Thank you for taking the time to deal with this interesting and somewhat disturbing subject. I had wondered why the autostop function had sometimes not kicked in as normal. I'll keep an eye out for slightly higher revs on standstill and keep in mind your very helpful pointers. I will also be interested to see the oil expansion on dipping hot and cold. We do mostly long journeys being somewhat remote and our T6 204PS Bilbo Celeste 2016 has never thrown up this warning; but, I do possess an oil syringe!!! :) Thanks again.
Glad to help - these engines are complex and need careful understanding to get the most out of them I think. Van sounds lovely :)
Thanks Will - very useful additional info & feels like this is the scenario I am seeing. I’ll check the before & after Oil Level now & adjust accordingly Thx! 👍
Great, hopefully this is helpful for you and will assist an easy resolution for you.
Hi Will, thanks for the update. I think something should be made clear: the oil level must be ALWAYS checked when warm, and it needs to be between min and max on the dipstick. Not for the 6.1 but for any vehicles including motorcycles. Oil expands with heat in any vehicle, and I am pretty sure my T6 runs the same exact oil of your T6.1. The key point of your video is regarding PDI. If before the T6.1 the dealers got away, and probably wasn't an issue either, to fill to the max when cold, i.e. to overfill, the more accurate T6.1 system sends a rightful"overfilled" warning. Oil needs to be checked when warm on a flat surface. Ideally 1-2 mins after switching the engine off. Not only for expansion, but also to allow the oil to drop back into the pan, which happens quickly with a hot engine, not so quickly at all with a cold engine in cold temperatures.
Totally agree with everything you’ve written here, thanks for sharing in clear language.
We've just completed the NC 500, having departed from Cornwall two weeks previously. I had it routine serviced two weeks before our journey, having not had a problem with the oil warning message for the period since August 2022, when we bought the van.
Approximately 200 miles into our trip, the warning flagged up, so I stopped at the next service area and dipped the oil, which was over the top mark. I took off the filler cap and waited a while before carrying on our journey. It happened again before our first destination, but I carried on and did the same thing as before when we reached it.
Throughout the whole 2025 mile trip, I did the same, lifted the bonnet, checked the level, which never really changed, released the filler cap and carried on with no other issues.
I was going to contact the garage, but now having watched both of your videos regarding this matter have ordered an oil syringe to reduce the level. From there, hopefully, I will solve the problem.
Many thanks Will. I am also aware that you posted this video a couple of years ago, can I ask, therefore, if there is any further update??
Rich Gibbons
No further update really. We did have the van routinely serviced and didn't get the oil level warning back on after that, so after we sorted it initially when we made these videos it's all been just fine.
My new van has been to the shop twice for this problem and thanks to you sharing your insights I've been able to question and challenge some of the work. I just got the software updated and they also changed my oil. I had them lower the oil level to what you did even though they really did not want to do it. Thanks so much for sharing
Glad it helped. Make sure you update us on here after 60 to 70 miles to make sure the error doesn’t come back on.
@@CampervanTime So its been a few days since the last time my van was in the shop and since then I've driven about 300KM without any oil problem. Now I am curious was the fix a result of the software update or lowering the oil level. I guess I'll find out when my first schedule oil change is due.
Excellent stuff, glad it’s all running well!
Thank you Will. This all makes much more sense now as I had imagined you had only been doing the longer journeys and could not understand why you would still get oil dilution. I had exactly the same on a Jaguar XJL. If used to do many short journeys the oil would dilute and the car would tell you to get an oil service. Doing many long journeys this did not occur. Because of the warning was no danger to the engine but of course there was the expense of an extra service. The real dilution issue will affect people who use the Cali for the regular school run or short hops to the shops. If it’s mainly used for adventures then it should not occur. Seems VW just have a glitch with calibrating how much oil should be put in at manufacture! Hopefully not rocket science for them to correct!
Yes exactly. The Master Tech actually sent me a screenshot today (after video editing I’m afraid) of the vw internal system with a diagram of where the ‘OK’ oil level is supposed to be on the dipstick. Bang on half !
Hi Will, so far we have not had any issue with regard to oil level warnings on our Ocean 4 Motion. Bought a similar time to yours, 204 bhp etc. Me being me I checked the oil level shortly after taking delivery, (At normal operating temperature) and found the oil level to be half way up the dipstick. I’ve checked several times since and now 2500 miles in, (At normal operating temperature) the oil level is still half way up the dipstick. All good. Initially I thought it a big strange to take delivery of a new car with the oil level anything but full, but dismissed it as some sort of cost saving! On watching your post I have just checked the oil level cold, on a level drive and found the dipstick reading to be between a quarter and half way. So in our situation it’s pretty consistent. Hope it stays like that!! However, the intermittent SOS fault remains at the moment. As it apparently does across various Audi’s and Skoda’s also.
Sounds like you've been all good from the outset then, that's great news. We have had a few errors from the SOS system too. We put it down to poor signal where we live as we never had an issue when we were on holiday in the Outer Hebrides.
I've done the test today. this morning (9 degree C) Dipstick oil halv between markers. A drive with oil temp at 90 degree C and dipstick was at top marker. Nice to know and thanks
Very helpful, thanks for checking, good to know that you (and obviously others) are seeing what I’m seeing. 👍
Ideal, thanks Will. Good Idea to have the oil checked. Like you say, you'd have peace of mind as to whether or not there was enough diesel mixing in with the oil to be worried about. Getting my first California on Wednesday. 6.1 4 motion. Really looking forward to it after watching your videos. 😁👍
Fantastic! Congratulations on your new Cali, enjoy :)
Hi Sir , just discovered your nice youtube Channel and your magnificent T6.1 ! On my side i'm also Happy French owner of brand new T6.1 COAST 150cv DSG 4 MO . Delivery beginning September and already 4500 kms at the moment . No warning sensor on my side but i confirm oil expansion between cold and Hot checking . From beginning after delivery at French VW dealer i confirm that we start exactly from Mid level ( between mini and maxi ) on dipstick , at Cold checking , and no add or remove Oil necessary at the moment . i'll check regularly and thank you for your useful and lovely videos . Sorry for my poor English !
You have great English - no need to apologise ! Thank you for watching and we hope you are enjoying your Cali 😀👍
@@CampervanTime Thank You . it's my first VAN and we enjoy ! thanks for your sharing experience and feedback
Another great informative video Will. Well done. Would like to know results of oil dilution check.
Keep them videos coming. 👍🏼
Of course !
Interesting subject and the heat expansion is very logical. Definitely would be interesting to hear what the results of Millers diagnosis of your oil. Fingers crossed this solution sorts your problem out.
Will keep everyone posted of course 👍
That was a good follow up video. Answering questions from first one.
It makes sense regarding oil level if it was overfilled. However, VW should be making sure that their techs know better when doing PDI.
The info on software overriding high level for first 1000 miles explains a lot.
You should discuss the oil test with supplying dealership to see if they would cover costs or try to get them to change your oil then you have peace of mind.
Thanks - I would do re: supplying dealer but it's 100 mile round trip so almost the cost of me just buying the test myself. Not worth bothering them with. Depending on the results, then I'd contact them if it is highly contaminated of course.
Thank you very much. It was very interesting to hear and good for me to know because I often change the oil myself on my vehicles. I'm expecting my new California in March 2022 so it's good to be prepared for problems that may arise. I hope to see you in the future both online and IRL best regards
Great stuff, glad it was helpful for you. 👍
Serious subject, accurately presented and logical analysis, thank you. Regarding the analysis, I'm of the mind you should, but it begs the question of how much dilution is acceptable and that may be getting a little too deep. I'm happy to run the thing at a half on the stick..! Well done.
Thank you. I’ve not sent any away for analysis yet but I still might. We’ve done about another 3k miles since this video so it might be quite a good time to do it.
Thanks, Will, we experienced this is a hire VW Ocean in September. We're hiring again next June, and then hope to decide on either a conversion by a specialist (we probably need a LWB) or, the VW Ocean, which we know we love from just one week's hire. We also love your videos, learning lots. By the time we buy a new 6.1 in whatever format, hopefully the software update on a 204 4 motion will have been completed.
Oh dear that sounds like you had an interesting holiday interlude ! All campers are fantastic, you won’t be disappointed!
Oh dear that sounds like you had an interesting holiday interlude ! All campers are fantastic, you won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for all the time and effort gone into this Will. Would be interested to hear back if you decide to get the oil sampled though. I will now think twice about turning off when its obvious that a regen is in progress and will give it a few mins to see if it finishes, if practicable. £35 seems a good deal to put your mind at rest, but I suspect you haven't done huge mileage since the unscheduled oil change performed whilst you were away. If you were going to pay for a sample, might be prudent to wait for a while with this "fresh" oil. And I suspect that now armed with the regen info, I am guessing that you haven't had too many failed ones. Are you counting them?
Thanks, well we certainly haven't had any failed ones that we know of since doing this mini investigation, and our 'reduce oil level' light hasn't come on at all since our oil level was set to half on the dipstick when engine is cold. Just something to note too, we didn't actually have an oil change when we were away, they simply reduced the oil level by 400-450ml by taking some out. We're still considering getting the oil sampling done, we will make sure we post about it if we do.
Really useful. Had this with my T6.1 2 weeks back, on the first long drive (mid 30s temp) but having covered 1500 miles since I got the ex-demo van. So no light until around 3000 miles total. My oil level is at the top end of the range, so I now know what to do! Thanks.
No problem!
very usefull and thanks for lightning the subject. I will go out and check my oil level as our Cali has done app. 3500 km and let you know.
If you don't have a warning by now, I'd imagine you're oil level will be somewhere in the middle. Good to know - remember to test it stone cold (for this test) 👍
Go ahead , I’d get the fuel dilution test done. Very good informative videos .
Great video Will, thanks for doing all the leg work us! Would be very interested in the fuel dilution test!
Thanks just had the light flashing after 250mile drive I normally do city driving never had it come on but 4hrs driving in motorway got the warning message.
Very helpful, thank you. Mine came on soon after a service but whilst on holiday in France.
Currently sitting in the M6 services with the dreaded too much oil on my 20 plate. Great video oil currently looks too high, done a long journey will see what it’s like once it’s cold in the morning.
Oh no! Sorry to hear that - hopefully a quick fix once you've seen what level you have in the morning 👍
@@CampervanTime 3/4 oil level, booked in to the garage, odd not had any oil since earlier this year. See what comes back when it goes in
Friend just informed me he had the software update on his t6.1 transporter and exactly after 71 miles reduce oil light came on.
I told him to check oil level after seeing your video and it was just over half cold. So will report back when he reduces to under half i.e., a third.
Interesting! Let us know how they get on.
Will,
Took my T6.1 in with 'reduce oil light'. I asked them to do exactly as your technician mentioned in the video.
They confirmed warning on dash. Checked the oil found below maximum. No faults found on their computer.
They reduced oil level approx. 5 liters. Topped up fresh oil to just below half as requested . Carried out soft ware update. Drove it 2 miles and rechecked oil level at temperature.
All ok after 130 miles. It seems one has to reduce oil level to half and then update the software.
Ok, good to know. We haven’t had any software updates on ours and we’re over 5k now with no light on. Glad you’re all sorted 👍
Very helpful as I will taking delivery of my California Ocean in the next week or so
Congratulations! That's great news, enjoy the pick up and first trips out 😁
Thank you for the information, well done.
You’re welcome
Very helpful update to this issue, thanks 👍🏻
You’re welcome 😀
Hi Will. Thanks very much for the update. You are a good man! I think it would be interesting to know the result of an oil analysis but obviously there is a cost involved. If the warning light stays out maybe you should leave it alone and get on with enjoying your Cali? How are you guys planning to use it over the Winter? What are your plans for next year? Are you going to use the 4WD by heading to the Alps? I really love your channel buddy. Well done 👍
Thanks! For the sake of the channel I can see us getting the oil analysis done. Well we've done about 1k miles now since the light went out, so pretty confident it is sorted. We've got some plans over the winter... more to come in due course 🤐. We'd love to go back to the Alps, but it is the northern lights and the Arctic Circle that are really calling us....
The Northern Lights are amazing! As a long haul Airline Pilot I’ve been lucky enough to see them lots of times on my way back fro Narita and Los Angeles. You can only begin to imagine what people thought as they look up thousands of years ago. I’ll look forward to that VLOG!! Cheers Jim
We can't wait. Just need to get trip planning now 😄
great video ,you should sent a oil sample without a doubt it will come back with the correct information
Fantastic videos especially on the dpf issues ,Would do the oil analysis, it would give to piece of mind and would be interesting to see what percentage of diesel you have in the oil ,especially with you doing alot of miles in the California.
Thanks. Yes we are considering it just as a final bit of the jigsaw.
Great advice with the oil level too , if I do an oil service on my car I always fill to half way , I have a defender and it can suffer with the seals failing on the injectors which will lead to diesel into the oil, if not checked will result in diesel runway.
Very sound advice, thanks for sharing 👍
My VW dealer contacted me last week about my 6 month old T6.1, as the electronic systems were telling him about my warning light. He said that is a known software issue and VW are expected to issue a recall to fix in the near future.
Hi Will, what a great channel, so straightforward and informative with great reasoning and detail. I've just collected a new Ocean 204 4motion, only done c 400 miles from collection and locally so far. Read this and checked my dipstick when cold, it shows oil right at the top. Am, wondering if they have updated the software on this engine since this posting and if I should therefore just wait and see what happens or if I should remove some oil as a precaution. What do you think? Thanks!
I'd wait and see if there are any issues that come up. Our first ever light came on at about 1200 miles, and it was explained to me by a VW Master Tech that the engine management system operates in a slightly different mode in the first x amount of Kms anyway - hence why it comes on a bit later. See how you get on - but at least you know what to do if it does come on!
Thank you for this information very helpful
Thanks a lot for this video, Will. My new cali Beach Camper 6.1 150 DSG (only two weeks since I have it) is having this issue and thanks to your video now I can understand better what is going on. I'm going to contact the workshop explaining what you comment on this video since they were a little bit lost with this issue. I have a question though, maybe you can answer it. Is this oil sensor issue happening to all 6.1 Calis or just to a batch?
Oh dear, sorry to hear you are having issues. From what I have read this applies to all T6.1 vans, not just Cali. Basically VW changed the way that oil levels should be checked on engines from the T6.1 onwards - before levels were checked when cold (ie level should be at the max mark of the dipstick when engine cold), now, level should be checked when hot and oil level on max mark when engine hot). I'm sure they'll sort it. Just need to take a bit of oil out of it by the sounds of it.
I have this issue on 2021 T6.1 since first service, went back to deal 5 times and still not fixed, thanks for the video for explanation but VW really should do sth to fix it instead of let consumers to find workaround.
Many thanks for following up on this
Our pleasure!
Thanks for another useful video on this subject. 👍
Appreciate I'm late to the party here (yet to get my hands on my first Transporter - a factory order placed May 2021), so can I ask if you had the oil analysis done and, if so, what the results were? Also, if oil expansion was the reason for your "reduce oil level" warnings, do you still follow your own advice that you provided in the initial video (i.e. not switching off during a regen)?
My only other observation is to note how poor it is that the VW technicians performing the PDIs at the dealership aren't kept informed as to how full the oil should be filled!
Cheers!
I didn't get it done in the end as the van never had the warning come up again, even after an oil change at the local (Nottingham) dealer, who filled it correctly. We did still try not to switch off while it was doing a regen but to be honest we mostly did long journeys anyway so it wasn't very often that we wanted to stop the engine and it was doing a regen. My conclusion is that it is much more about over filling rather than oil dilution - I think that is very minor as when I got my oil level down to the correct level, all was well for ever more.
Thank you so much we’ll explained
Hi I live in NZ and I have a drive from wheel chair 2022 English spec 6.1 Caravelle Executive 204ps, the floor was lowered in Devon then
shipped to NZ and I took delivery 27th March 2023 with 380km on the Odo.
At approx 1000 km I checked the oil level cold and it was midway on the hatched area, at 2000 km it was at the lowest hatch.
I purchased 2 litres of VW branded 0W 30 LL (most likely Castrol Edge) oil costing NZ$82.00, I added 1 litre as the reading was
so low and thought no more about the matter.
At around 4000 km the reduce oil level message appeared, we have since removed approx ¾ of a litre and now when at running temp.
the oil level is at the top of the hatched area, will be travelling 200 km this weekend hopefully no more messages.
I'm sure you'll be fine now - they are a bit pesky! Congrats on getting the vehicle you want in NZ though, that's a great effort.
Excellent information . I have the oil level problem on my new T6.1 110 camper. It's
only done 600 miles.
Just come back from our first long trip 300 miles there and back. Rang vw assist having arrived at destination. AA man drew off oil via sump plug. Van in place for 4 days.
On way home after 2 hours and about 60 miles oil sensor warning too high came back on. Ignoring warning light we carried on home.
Next morning morning tested oil with engine cold. About 2/3 full, warning light off.
So, are rises in oil level due to oil expansion or DPF diesel reflux into sump?
Any latest views please?
Wondering about taking van back to dealer for checks.
Latest on software update to prevent false oil readings?
Can the engine be damaged by simply ignoring the warning light?
How do you tell if there is a real oil dilution by diesel, apart from white or blue smoke from the exhaust!?
By the way would drawing off oil oneself with syringe invalidate warranty!
Grateful for your comments.
Well done the gentleman who produced the videos, clear, articulate, confident delivery. Thank you. Much appreciated.
Peter Bevan
Oh no! Sorry to hear about your troubles.
I would VERY much doubt your problems are diesel in oil related (ie dilution) and probably just the regular over-filling of oil as part of the PDI process at your dealer, where they mistakenly top up the oil to full on the marks on the dipstick prior to delivery.
In our experience you need to get the oil level a little lower (when cold) - aim for 1/3 to 1/2 on the dipstick and you should find all your warnings go away, and stay off too.
If you want to know about the dilution in your oil, there are companies that you an send an oil sample to for analysis, for about £30 or so and they will tell you what % fuel there is in your oil.
You won't have any warranty issues by drawing a bit of oil out yourself - but obviously if you drew it all out so it was empty and then ran the engine then VW might have something to say about that!! Just do it a little at a time and keep checking on the dipstick and you'll be fine. Don't go below 1/4 between the marks on the dipstick when the engine and oil is cold.
Good luck!
We have had the same fault on a 2011 sprinter, only happens on a run not local drops
I would like to see the oil results. I'm watching your videos regarding this issue as I have a 2020 150 dsg 2wd Lwb van on order .its my very ist vw van and this matter is quite concerning as I'm pay 70k for my van.
I understand your concern. Hopefully this latest update will help provide a bit of reassurance but we are considering getting the oil tested to be sure.
Thanks Will, fantastic video. I’ve a 2021 204 California with 5,000 miles, 2,000 in the last couple of weeks doing the NC500. No warning light so far but I’ll check the oil when cold and let you know 👍🏻 David @VW1Camp
Great stuff, sounds like you’re all sorted already 👍. We’d like to do the NC500 too, just need more time off from work!
@@CampervanTime Hi Will, I’ve checked my oil level, it’s just over half way up the level. Thanks for your video, otherwise I would be topping it up, I’ll check again when hot when I remember. David
Good stuff. I wouldn’t suggest topping it up !
Hi thanks for the detailed information!, bottom line I wish to understand, is it safe to ignore the alert? assuming the technician at the vendor center filled the correct amount of oil as recommended by the manufacturer, Is there a need to do any action? Or is it just a matter of getting rid of the annoying alert? is there any damage to the engine??
That is too difficult to answer without knowing the physical level of oil in the van. If the technician filled the correct amount of oil as recommended then the warning won’t be on. This problem happens when technicians (incorrectly) fill the van up to the maximum mark when the van is cold. The oil level should be at half on the dipstick when the engine is cold (or just below) and then the warning will not come back. Every time you open and close the bonnet it will turn the warning off for the next 100km/60 miles anyway. It will just stay off if the oil level is actually correct.
Thank you
Hello, thanks for your explanation. I'm about to buy a brand new Calfornia Ocean, the 150 hp version. Can you tell me if any software changes have been implemented? And if so what's changed? Thanks in advance, greetings from the Netherlands!
I'm not sure to be honest, best to try talking to your local service department. I do seem to see fewer vans having the issue (new ones) so quite possibly sorted now.
I think like any fluid, there will be expansion. I had a Citroen Picasso from new 1.8 petrol. I did 140,000 miles In it and it used 1 litre of oil for every 1,000 miles. Scary I know. Any long journey and we had to take oil with us. I just looked at it as I’m adding clean oil to the engine. By the time it was due a service it had already had a complete oil change. I don’t want this aggravation when we get our California
Thanks. We bought a spare 1ltr of oil to take with us on our outer Hebrides trip but then had this reduce oil level message instead !
Great thanks.So basically leave the oil level at about 1/4 up on the dip stick to allow expansion.
My oil level was exactly that before I topped it up for a long journey.
The oil level light came on at 361miles after topping up. Why did it not come on sooner is bewildering. Bloody modern vehicles!!
Yes, that is correct. We've had no problems at all with ours since setting it at about 1/3 up on the dipstick and we've done about 1.5k miles+ since then.
Will,thanks. However could it be a sensor issue? In other words replacement sensor. There are many reports that even after update light is coming on.
Well, in all the reading I have done about this from various experiences of the T6.1 (and other VW and Audi cars too), some have had the sensor replaced and had exactly the same issues afterwards and I can't think of anyone who had it replaced and then it was fixed. I had a chat with the master tech again last week actually as he was telling me that the software update only really gives a little bit more tolerance on the oil level 'max' triggering the oil level too high warning - something like 10% more tolerance. That's not a lot really, especially if vans are still being filled to max when cold etc. I think the diagram from VW is the key, as shown in the video.
Hello Will. I bought my van last week and it seems to have the same problem. Can I ask you, if you solved it. Thank you for your answer
Hi there, yes we solved it by reducing the oil level back to what it says in the book. The warning light has never come back on thankfully!
Did the T6 had the same kind of issues?
Because I just had this kind of warning, but After a full engine check this autumn... (I had a turbo problem). I am really considering turning the page of California right now... Too many problems for the money spent!
Have never heard of this kind of issue on a T6, we certainly never had it either. Not sure if they have the same type of oil level sensor kit in the sump.
Thanks Will. Very interesting , yes , I think the oil analysis is a great idea , if not only for us , but you wont rest now until you know anyway I’m sure 🤦🏻♂️😂
A little confused over the RDE1 &. 2 , I assumed the 199/204 was purely an engine management change, but if I’ve understood correctly, you say it’s a different engine?
Hi - not a different engine, just different engine management software and a secondary injection system for the ad-blue I think (I might be wrong, but sure I read it somewhere). The easiest way to tell on the T6.1 if RDE1 or RDE2 is by the 199 / 204, but obviously the 150 engine was the same output in both RDE1 and RDE2. There will be a chassis number swap over I expect, but I don't know it - but I do know that any vehicle registered after 1st Jan 2021 MUST be RDE2 compliant.
@@CampervanTime Thanks. I’m kinda hoping by the time my (204) comes next year that this will be put to bed somewhat, nevertheless , very interesting. Keep up the good work…
I have a cupra and my warning light says reduce oil level, and I have checked it, and the level is fine.
Is it not safe to drive with that light on then? I only do short trips and I’m guessing that’s why. Do I need to get someone out immediately?
So why do they have a full mark on the dip stick if it means filling the vehicle to the FULL mark on the dip stick is ( according to what you've said) means the vehicle is going to expand the oil to an extreme, Surely the dip stick mark should be halved so it shows full and allows for expansion.
I'm driving a Sest Ateca 20 ltr turbo diesel which has a VW engine in it and was serviced last June by Seat and now I have "reduce oil level workshop "
Is there a cure for this fault warning
as my car has stood all night and still shows the Fault, as I've said SAME ENGINE
Thank you so much for this info,im expecting delivery of a t6.1 Beach Camper and coming from a background of old school diesels all this dpf and regen stuff is scary
Congratulations! Yes it can be a bit overwhelming and we didn't want to alarm anyone with our other video, but likewise we want to share the best info we have, and our experiences of our own van too - in real life ! I am sure yours will be just fine 😁
My dealer told me last month that half a litre of oil needed removed... This seems to back that up then...
Yes - sounds about right 👍
I wonder if the amount of oil expansion is directly linked to the amount of dilution? More dilution more expansion perhaps?
But great video by the way…
Difficult to say I think. When we did a lot of testing on ours ourselves, we were really really careful not to switch the engine off during regen, so I think we managed to keep things consistent.
Always worth running oil analysis at infrequent intervals
Great advice, thanks
@@CampervanTime Audi and possibly other VAG marks are notorious for eating cam followers. An oil composition evaluation especially around 60K can be very informative for metal content too as well as the diesel products. Good preventative maintenance that could save a heap load later down the road.
do we know how much RD1 software update is?
I have a 2021 Transporter and oil level warning started around 10,000km. The vehicle had been timely serviced with an authorized VW dealer in NZ. To address the issue, the same dealer refilled the oil and later replaced the oil sensor. These attempts were unsuccessful so my van will be in the shop for an extended time and require a long distance test driving as requested by a VW technician.
*UPDATE* 6 months after the warranty repair and test driving, the oil level warning has not reappeared. Also there was no software update involved.
Are they sure they are filling it correctly?
@California Time I will ask them when I collect the van next week.
@@CampervanTime My van was returned after a 450km run with an oil reset and quality check. I asked my dealer about the oil fill and my van is filled to "full" as specified by a VW technician and adamant it is done correctly. Time will tell so I will update if the oil level warning pops again.
Just picked up a t6.1 cali with 37000 miles, and I’ve just got this error on day 1, 62 miles from the dealership.
Oh no!! Well hopefully you'll be able to sort or at least get the garage to sort. It's not terminal, don't worry!
Is it safe to drive it still
Dod you ever send away the oil sample for analysis ?
In the end we didn't as we sold this van and bought a MAN TGE to replace it which so far (fingers crossed) we haven't had the same issue with.
Obviously this is another concern which as usual VW seem to handle badly . When your vehicle is due service it might be worth noting what the oil capacity is in the handbook and then check the invoice to see how much oil has been used on refill and what amount you're charged for. Probably the same amount stated in the handbook. Cannot see VW recommending a lower amount .
Yes I did wonder about that - ie the level which is in the handbook, how does that correspond to the level on the dipstick then when engine is cold - top, middle? I know it's not right, but if our van gets serviced and I check the oil level on the drive the next day (cold) and it is at max, I can take some out still.
lütfen türkçe alt yazı istiyoruz. Bütün Türkiye'de bu sorun daha çok yeni. insanlar bu sorun ile ilgili video arıyor.
RUclips altyazı çeviri fonksiyonunu kullanabilir misiniz?
Actually the reality is that we pay plus 50k plus for vehicles which are advertised as the latest technology and they cant even get a warning light correct.
Oil levels in most vehicles are kept to over half way. Now we have to ensure VW T6.1's are under half way or the 'Reduce Oil Light' come on. Is that modern vehicle technology? No its a joke and its obvious that VW have no answer and they have made a huge mistake in the sensor tech of T6.1's. One can be in the middle of nowhere and the instruction is go to the workshop and reduce the oil level. That's unacceptable for a £50k plus modern vehicle. The software upgrades are useless. Upgraded last Friday. Light back on -dipstick registers half full. Disgraceful !!!!
Agree it’s a right pain in the neck. I think VW are obviously trying to stretch out their legacy design fossil fuel engines to meet the latest very stringent euro emissions standards and having to bolt more and more stuff on to them to get them to comply - way less than ideal / a new blueprinted engine for the job in hand. In some VW Golfs and Jettas (Europe) they have had recalls on the dipstick and changed it to one of a different length !!
Sounds to me like yet another vw furphy , why not get it right first time, don't think oil changes this much with temperature, ,,,well never in my vehicles over many years, ex vw dealership foreman. UK