Macan GTS - Oil level too high warning

[On-Track]

Mobil say the correct oil for the GTS is 0w-40. The viscosity starting from cold will be very low and rise with operating temperature as explained by RayG.

What I don't know is what method an OPC will use to determine if they're putting in the correct amount of oil. I suspect it may be possible to remove the sensor and use a dipstick.

The really puzzling thing is that the "alarm" does not appear for several days whereas if the sump had been over filled you would expect an immediate alarm. It is the rise in level combined with the apparent absence of contaminants that is the real mystery here.

[happy days]

I doubt whether a service department would measure the amount of oil being drained. It'll probably be drained off into one of those long shafted oil pans that we have all seen.

[Retired]

Surely higher temp lower viscosity?

You're correct.

Never any good at proof reading my own stuff!

[On-Track]

Surely higher temp lower viscosity?

You're correct.

Never any good at proof reading my own stuff!

It gets more complicated with multigrade oils.

[Ray G]

Mobil say the correct oil for the GTS is 0w-40. The viscosity starting from cold will be very low and rise with operating temperature as explained by RayG.

What I don't know is what method an OPC will use to determine if they're putting in the correct amount of oil. I suspect it may be possible to remove the sensor and use a dipstick.

The really puzzling thing is that the "alarm" does not appear for several days whereas if the sump had been over filled you would expect an immediate alarm. It is the rise in level combined with the apparent absence of contaminants that is the real mystery here.

Just to correct...the viscosity starting from cold will be high then reduce with operating temperature.

If the engine was over-filled when cold then thermal expansion would account for an even higher level after warming the engine. No idea by how much as no idea of the starting position, but it could be (part of) the problem.

UPDATE

Just calculated that expansion from 5 C to 100 C increases volume by about 7%Ray G2017-03-21 13:20:03

[Retired]

Surely higher temp lower viscosity?

You're correct.

Never any good at proof reading my own stuff!

It gets more complicated with multigrade oils.

Indeed it does.

See here for a detailed exposition:

http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/Auto_oils/oil_viscosity_explained.htm

[Ray G]

Exactly where I cribbed my explanation. Thanks for posting.

[Guy]

Reading through this I wouldn't rule out a faulty oil level sensor together with a less-than-accurate (or mis-understood) dealer viscosity reading.

[Haxas]

One of my first questions when it happened the first time was whether they'd measured the amount of oil that had come out. This came as a bit of surprise to them so don't think they'd thought about it.

Next question was a faulty sensor, again they don't think it's that because there was too much oil in it the second time around.

Both times its happened the warning has come on from a cold start-up.

Awaiting an update for today.

[happy days]