VW Golf, 2003 model 1.4l. Have I put in too much or the correct engine oil (Prism)?

Question

I recently bought a VW Golf, 2003 1.4l Petrol car. The engine oil light came on yesterday (in Dublin) before a long journey. I went to the service station, checked oil level (which was too low) and bought some standard Prism Petrol Car engine oil. I removed the cap with the oil can icon and poured in 0.5l into what appeared to be the engine, but not a specific oil tank. The warning light remained on. At my next stop a few minutes later, I put in the rest of the oil without re-checking the oil levels with the measuring stick.

I got the ferry to Holyhead. After driving 100 miles i was concerned because the light was still on. Also, there was an occasional stink which I presume was the catalytic converter. Finally, when i brought the car to a standstill it was shaking/vibrating in a rhythmical manner. So i stopped at a service station, took out the drivers manual and read in trepidation. I checked the oil level again and realised i had gone over the "max" mark on the measuring stick. However, the service station attendant said this was fine and it was spit out/burn off excess oil in time.

Having driven the remaining 250 or 300 miles to London, the light remains on and the car still vibrates at a standstill.

A) Was the "standard" petrol car oil that i used ok?
B) Will this vibrating stop soon?
C) Will the excess oil burn off?
D) Once I removed the Engine Oil Cap, is it ok just to pour into the engine?
E) Do i need to get the oil changed or go to the mechanic?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Answer 1

The oil light warns of low pressure, not low oil level.

This is something which needs investigating at once, not after you have driven the car for 300 miles with the light on.

Chances are you have killed your engine....

By the way, you should always check the level on the "measuring stick", which is actually called a dipstick, and not just pour oil in for the sake of it.

Answer 2

A) Standard oil is fine for a normal VW, and it is only the turbo that requires synthetic. However, some brands of oil do not mix well, so I would consider an oil change now, so that you can stay with one consistent brand.



B) The vibrating has likely nothing to do with the oil, is more likely a bad plug or plug wire, with could only effect the oil by pumping unburned gas into the oil, and had to be fixed immediately. Vibrating means unequal cylinder performance, pointing to a single cylinder failure. Not serious, probably easily fixed, but can not be ignored and must only be driven to be repaired. But you must fix this immediately.



C) A half liter excess over the line is nothing. They allow room for that much in order to deal with slosh around corners. Don't worry about it.



D) Yes, you add oil by just removing the oil cap on top of the valve cover, and pouring it in. The only cars I know of with an oil tank are those with a dry sump, like Porsche, or the old 2 stroke engines.



E) You need to go to a mechanic in order to fix the vibration, but an oil change is not so important. I like to keep only a single brand of oil in the engine, just in case, but that is probably not necessary.

Answer 3

A the oil you used is ok B it depends on what is causing the vibration ,C you need to drain off all the oil D yes as long as you use the dip stick to measure how much oil you put in E you need to change the oil fit a new oil filter and see how the cars runs when you have change the oil and filter .

Answer 4

Was it the oil "Level" light? Over filling can blow the crank case seal meaning a total strip down.



However oil level lights are rare and it is more likely an oil "Pressure" light. But if it is you will have wrecked your engine.



a) You should use the oil it tells you in the manual.

b) Doubtful as you have done damage.

c) Not before it does more damage.

d) Yes, but from maximum to minimum is only 1ltr.

e) Yes, the oil needs draining, the oil filter needs changing and the correct oil needs putting in.

Answer 5

I'd say your engine is about to die. Running an engine with low oil will destroy it very quickly. It sounds like your oil pressure warning light is on because you have run with low oil.



This will rapidly wear the bearings in the engine so that when you do top up with oil, the oil runs out of the bearings before it can circulate the engine properly, causing parts of the engine to continue to run with no oil.



Sounds to me like changing the oil is locking the stable door after the horse is bolted.



How much oil did you put in in total?

Answer 6

Best if you just get an oil change ASAP. Over filling the oil can cause serious internal engine damage. Much cheaper to just have the oil changed now than to change the entire engine later.

Answer 7

Of course it is not