[AustinJRod]

Hi everyone! I'm a new owner of a 2018 Giulia TI Sport Q2 and had my first issue pop up at about 553 miles on the odometer. I was in normal traffic about two days ago when I heard an alarm sound and the message appeared in the center display stating Maximum Oil Level exceeded. I used the infotainment system to bring up the oil level there and it shows the level as red. The weird thing is that it did this about a week and a half after I picked up the car from the dealership and I certainly haven't added any oil to the car. Has anyone else had this issue?

I stopped by the dealer the day it happened and was told I should come back next week as they were slammed but that the tech most likely just needs to drain some oil out and that the car is safe to drive.

I should mention that when I got home, I turned the car off and let it sit for about an hour on level ground. I got back in and let it sit for about 10-15mins. The screen said it only needed five minutes of idling to take a new reading but I thought I'd be more generous with the time. Nothing has changed and today it's still showing max level oil exceeded every time I turn the car on.

 

[jzchen]

That's not good for the engine. They should have taken it right away. Do you by any chance have another dealer to bring it to? Maybe even Chrysler or Fiat?

Ellis has an Alfa tech at their Chrysler service department....

 

[FNM]

welcome! and agree that's not good, they need to sort that right away. Maybe raise a ticket with Alfacares here and ask the TX folks for a better dealer. That's shabby they sent you home for something they did. Best of luck!

 

[billeee]

I would ask the tech why the high level alarm did not go off during the first 500 miles.

I can only think of two possible reasons. Either the high level sensor is malfunctioning or there is a coolant leak into the oil system. You can take off the oil fill cap and look at the oil residue underneath. If it's "milky" (light opaque color) it's a coolant leak.

 

[AustinJRod]

Thanks for the feedback

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far. I ran the car a bit this morning to bring the kids to school, pick up coffee, etc... I got home and shutoff the car and opened the oil cap to check the color and it doesn't appear to be a milky opaque color nor does it appear to be too much oil from what I can tell. I'm really hoping it's just a faulty sensor at this point but I have to wait until Tuesday to find out for sure. I'll definitely update this thread once I hear back from the dealer next week.

 

[AlfaRomeoCares]

Hi everyone! I'm a new owner of a 2018 Giulia TI Sport Q2 and had my first issue pop up at about 553 miles on the odometer. I was in normal traffic about two days ago when I heard an alarm sound and the message appeared in the center display stating Maximum Oil Level exceeded. I used the infotainment system to bring up the oil level there and it shows the level as red. The weird thing is that it did this about a week and a half after I picked up the car from the dealership and I certainly haven't added any oil to the car. Has anyone else had this issue?

I stopped by the dealer the day it happened and was told I should come back next week as they were slammed but that the tech most likely just needs to drain some oil out and that the car is safe to drive.

I should mention that when I got home, I turned the car off and let it sit for about an hour on level ground. I got back in and let it sit for about 10-15mins. The screen said it only needed five minutes of idling to take a new reading but I thought I'd be more generous with the time. Nothing has changed and today it's still showing max level oil exceeded every time I turn the car on.

Hi AustinJRod,

Sorry to hear about this! Please don't hesitate to send us a PM with your VIN for further assistance during your appointment, we're happy to help if needed.

Andrea
Alfa Romeo Social Care Specialist

 

[AustinJRod]

Hi AustinJRod,

Sorry to hear about this! Please don't hesitate to send us a PM with your VIN for further assistance during your appointment, we're happy to help if needed.

Andrea
Alfa Romeo Social Care Specialist

I guess because I'm so new to the forums I'm unable to send you a PM containing my VIN. Is there any other way I can get you this information?

 

[riparke]

Call them 844-253 2872, could be serious, small anti freeze leak into oil might not be enough to change color, but it will cause damage.

 

[AustinJRod]

Call them 844-253 2872, could be serious, small anti freeze leak into oil might not be enough to change color, but it will cause damage.

Gave them a call as you suggested and they contacted the dealer that I bought the car from. After a bit of a wait on hold, the person came back and said the earliest the dealer could get me was early next week. So, it looks like I wont be driving my new car around until Tuesday to bring to the shop as I really don't want to risk any damage or breaking down. Good thing we have a second car in the home.

 

[Desmorider804]

Gave them a call as you suggested and they contacted the dealer that I bought the car from. After a bit of a wait on hold, the person came back and said the earliest the dealer could get me was early next week. So, it looks like I wont be driving my new car around until Tuesday to bring to the shop as I really don't want to risk any damage or breaking down. Good thing we have a second car in the home.

That's bullshit, that's a very weak dealer if you ask me. A brand new car that you can't drive is unacceptable. How long would it take them to pull the car in, put it on lift, check oil, and take some out if needed? Or check the sensor. You should really get on the phone with the GM of the dealership and let them know how unhappy you are with the way your being treated.

 

[lockem]

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far. I ran the car a bit this morning to bring the kids to school, pick up coffee, etc... I got home and shutoff the car and opened the oil cap to check the color and it doesn't appear to be a milky opaque color nor does it appear to be too much oil from what I can tell. I'm really hoping it's just a faulty sensor at this point but I have to wait until Tuesday to find out for sure. I'll definitely update this thread once I hear back from the dealer next week.

In a different thread someone (MacGeek?) posted that there is a oil level check plug on the oil pan that can be used to check that the oil level sensor is working properly.

In some vehicles fuel contamination of the oil is possible. My diesel pickup truck has this potential. In it's case the fuel lines to the fuel injectors run through the valve gallery and if one of the metal-to-metal seals is bad or loose fuel can leak into the oil in a big way. Since Giulia's engine is direct injection it may have a similar configuration, but I do not know. Does the oil fill opening smell of gasoline?

The seals must be metal to metal to withstand the high pressures (2,900 psi in Giulia, 19,000 psi in my truck) that are required to make direct injection work. Metal-to-metal seals are reliable once established, but fussy to install--highly intolerant of dirt and/or incorrect torque and/or slight flaws in the material.

 

[AlfaCrisis]

I would agree that they should have taken the car in immediately and given the OP a loaner. The fact he reported this and they instructed him to continue driving, in contravention of the manual...

"The oil level must never exceed the MAX mark. If the MAX mark is exceeded MAX (last notch on the right turns red) after the fill-up, go to your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the oil in excess removed."

is surely ground for protection for all kinds of issues down the road. I would call Alfa Romeo directly and demand a STAR Case be opened. Personally, I think a new engine is pretty likely if it isn't a sensor failure.

 

[ATXQUAD]

I would agree that they should have taken the car in immediately and given the OP a loaner. The fact he reported this and they instructed him to continue driving, in contravention of the manual...

"The oil level must never exceed the MAX mark. If the MAX mark is exceeded MAX (last notch on the right turns red) after the fill-up, go to your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the oil in excess removed."

is surely ground for protection for all kinds of issues down the road. I would call Alfa Romeo directly and demand a STAR Case be opened. Personally, I think a new engine is pretty likely if it isn't a sensor failure.

Why don't you calm down 'Crisis' ... let's see what dealer says Tues. Owner probably should have pushed to get in, but he didn't.

Take a deep breath--it will be okay. If there is an issue Alfa will take care of it, but dealer will have car Tues. Save the crisis mode until once it's been serviced.

Gheeshhhh

 

[AlfaCrisis]

Why don't you calm down 'Crisis' ... let's see what dealer says Tues. Owner probably should have pushed to get in, but he didn't.

Take a deep breath--it will be okay. If there is an issue Alfa will take care of it, but dealer will have car Tues. Save the crisis mode until once it's been serviced.

Gheeshhhh

Let’s see, dealer notified on Thursday, and after suggesting waitiing even longer, finally agrees to see the car on the following Tuesday. The mechanical issue is one that Alfa says can cause severe damage, and in circumstances that suggest a possible major engine problem. As a dealer, I’d want that car in now, rather than possibly losing an owner to poor customer relations. A quick “bring it in so we can look at it” would have done wonders in this case, and either ruled out a problem or prevented some possible major damage. It’s little things that can ruin an owners belief in a brand, and making the customer push is poor relations.

 

[TTUMadDawg]

I had an issue with too much oil in a BMW X6 that was remedied, but remedied weeks late like in this situation. It caused further engine problems down the road and the engine actually ended up seizing a valve months later...basically a blown engine. Had to be replaced and it was a beating especially since I was dealing with a third party warranty company. Got the engine replaced after a battle where I had to threaten legal action, then literally sold the vehicle the next week. Though we’re not certain that the high oil level is what caused the engine to fail, it certainly didn’t help matters.

Obviously, you’re in a better situation with it being under warranty from Alfa, but I agree that this type of issue should never have been put off by the manufacturer.

Hopefully, they get it in, check it out and get your issue remedied and there’s no damage to your engine. But, if there is, you should be taken care of by Alfa...I have dealt with my dealer and Alfa Care on a limited basis, but they’ve both been spectacular as far as customer service.

 

[lockem]

I had an issue with too much oil in a BMW X6 that was remedied, but remedied weeks late like in this situation. It caused further engine problems down the road and the engine actually ended up seizing a valve months later...basically a blown engine. Had to be replaced and it was a beating especially since I was dealing with a third party warranty company. Got the engine replaced after a battle where I had to threaten legal action, then literally sold the vehicle the next week. Though we’re not certain that the high oil level is what caused the engine to fail, it certainly didn’t help matters.

Obviously, you’re in a better situation with it being under warranty from Alfa, but I agree that this type of issue should never have been put off by the manufacturer.

Hopefully, they get it in, check it out and get your issue remedied and there’s no damage to your engine. But, if there is, you should be taken care of by Alfa...I have dealt with my dealer and Alfa Care on a limited basis, but they’ve both been spectacular as far as customer service.

Maybe someone can explain to me what how high oil level can cause major engine problems? The only problems that I know that can be caused by high oil are:

1) Oil seal damage. This is associated only with engines with poor oil pressure regulation.
2) Poor fuel economy. This happens because the crankshaft starts slapping the oil.

 

[TTUMadDawg]

Air bubbles and oil turning foam-like...this causes a condition similar to too little oil in the engine. Theoretically, the seal damage is most likely, but can also lead to further problems such as the bubbles and foam. Excessive air bubbles take a toll on the rod and main bearings and that is more than likely the culprit of my engine bearing seizing.

This quote I found from another guy that has seen the issue before explains it best: Small oil overfill will not cause much damage...It reaches a point though, where the oil reaches the height of the rotating crankshaft, and this whips the oil into a froth. Oil with lots of air in it does not lubricate well. The result can be the same kind of problems you wuold have running a car without oil...e.g. bearing failure, catastrophic damage.

 

[GerryL]

Maybe someone can explain to me what how high oil level can cause major engine problems? The only problems that I know that can be caused by high oil are:

1) Oil seal damage. This is associated only with engines with poor oil pressure regulation.
2) Poor fuel economy. This happens because the crankshaft starts slapping the oil.

I understand that there are a number of potential problems varying with engine design. The worst case is when the crank slaps the oil into foam, and then somehow that foam gets into the oil pickup. Maybe on turns, I'm not sure how. Oil foam doesn't lube anywhere near as well as liquid oil and this can create bearing issues.

Another, that I can tell you from experience, an Audi dealer seriously over filled the V8 in my S6 and somehow the oil quickly got up into the combustion chambers. Within a block of the dealership the car was clearing mosquitoes in a solid blue wall of smoke and I immediately returned to dealership. Fortunately, after correcting the level, that engine continued on fine.

 

[Woodstk88]

There are the issues with what high oil level may cause. I would be more concerned with why the oil level is high if oil was not added to cause this. In the first 500 miles of engine brake in it is more likely for the oil level to go down due to a small amount of oil being burnt off as the piston rings seat. So, is this a sensor malfunction or coolant leaking in to the oil. Either way, it's not something I would want to delay in getting checked out and would recommend to drive the car as little as possible and if you do need to drive it to keep the RPMs as low as possible until the issue is resolved.

 

[lockem]

I understand that there are a number of potential problems varying with engine design. The worst case is when the crank slaps the oil into foam, and then somehow that foam gets into the oil pickup. Maybe on turns, I'm not sure how. Oil foam doesn't lube anywhere near as well as liquid oil and this can create bearing issues.

Another, that I can tell you from experience, an Audi dealer seriously over filled the V8 in my S6 and somehow the oil quickly got up into the combustion chambers. Within a block of the dealership the car was clearing mosquitoes in a solid blue wall of smoke and I immediately returned to dealership. Fortunately, after correcting the level, that engine continued on fine.

I'm not sure that with a modern oil that it can foam enough to cause a problem. OTOH, my tiny 4 stroke Honda engined weed wacker is lubricated entirely by splash-foam (something like 2 ounces capacity), so maybe modern oils foam a lot?

Your Audi probably had oil feeding through the PCV valve and into the intake. On most engines that would require an extreme overfill. There could be long term issues such as carbon buildup on the intake ports and coking of the cat as a result.