High oil level on dipstick

[smalt36]

Hi all, is there any way the dipstick can give a false reading ie. getting oil blocked in the tube, or anything daft like that, basically ex missus just rang after checking her oil and its halfway up the dipstick! Not just the bit with the marks on but the full length of it. I have video of her checking it, cleaning it and re checking. She's not daft with cars and hasnt been topping up, last oil change was at a garage a year ago, thanks for any input, guess im gonna have to drain it to see whats going on :-/

[Big Dave]

Any clues as to what the car and engine it is?

If, for example it's a diesel, then it could be unburnt fuel from a few failed DPF clean ups that's increasing the oil level.

[smalt36]

Sorry 1.8 2007 or 8, not losing water or anything its a sweet running engine 45,000 miles ish

[Big Dave]

So, that's the year it was made established, and that's it's a 1.8 litre engine.

But what car is it, and is it petrol or diesel?

[smalt36]

Petrol vectra,sorry thought that was self explanatory, busy with work so not concentrating lol

[Das]

Id be sniffing the dipstick for a smell of petrol, but its not an issue normally found on the 1.8's. The only thing it could be is coolant, petrol or someones topped it up without you knowing. Both petrol or coolant should be pretty obvious.

[smalt36]

Thanks for reply, coolant level looks fine on the video she sent, how would petrol get in there? Seems an awful lot of extra liquid in there thats why i wondered if its possible its just got trapped up the tube via a blockage or something

[dave1419]

I would be draining it all out just to see what the oil looks like--is it due an oil and filter change--by my memory the engine should only have about 4.5 ltrs oil in.don't think its advisable to run it with too much oil in----Dave

[Das]

Thanks for reply, coolant level looks fine on the video she sent, how would petrol get in there? Seems an awful lot of extra liquid in there thats why i wondered if its possible its just got trapped up the tube via a blockage or something

Worn rings, dodgy injector to name but two ways. By its nature the dip stick will clear any blockage in the dipstick tube, but even if there was you never take the reading off the dipstick without cleaning it first then re dipping it.

[smalt36]

Yeh she did that, came out the same every time, guess i'll have to go drain it see whats going on, cheers for replys (Y)