FL2 TD4 - No oil on dipstick (so added 1ltr) - how bad is this?

Hi all,

Realised that it's been 12 months since I bought my TD4 and it had a service when I bought it so should check the oil (can't remember the last time I checked - don't shout). I was shocked to see that the dipstick didn't have had any oil on it (it had been running 3 hours ago).

I quickly added 1 ltr of 5W-30 fully synthetic, it's all I had in the garage. After 10 mins of running it was at least showing on the dipstick.

How bad is this that it wasn't showing at all to begin with, please?

First you need to be sure you checked it properly.
1. park on a flat piece of ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait for 5 minutes
3. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a rag.
4. Push the dipstick back in fully then pull it out and check it.
5. If low (below half way up the designated mark) add half a litre of oil.
6. Wait a few minutes for the oil to settle then go back to number 3.

Buel10 said:

How bad is this that it wasn't showing at all to begin with, please?

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It's not good to allow the engine to run at a lower level than the lowest mark on the dip stick.

This engine does seem to use quite a bit of oil by design. So keep an eye on the level, maybe topping it up before a long journey is due, or check it monthly.

Oh and if it's not been changed in the last year, then an oil/filter change is due.

Thank you so much. User negligence at this end, sadly.
Estimated cost of oil change and filter if local garage doing it? Also, should all filters be changed annually?

Bottom line is oil is the life blood of a engine, running low or without it spells disaster,
How long could your body last without blood ??? Just saying,
Changing the oil and filter once a year is common sense on so many levels so why not?

Buel10 said:

Thank you so much. User negligence at this end, sadly.
Estimated cost of oil change and filter if local garage doing it? Also, should all filters be changed annually?

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Many of us are guilty of this, me included.
Prices from Eurocarparts BEFORE their discounts

Air filter £22.49 to £35.99
Oil £40 for
Oil filter £8.59 to £15.49
Pollen filter. £3.69 to £44.49 (No not a mistake, £3.69 is the price on their web site)
Fuel Filter £25.99 to £36.99
Total before discounts if choosing the cheapest options (what your garage would do) £102
After discounts £61.80

Add two hours labour and you're around £150 to £200 but they will probably find something else that needs repairing.

Great stuff, thank you. My garage should know this but.....ideal oil to use? And adequate oil to use?

I use Advanced Factors for my LR parts and service items, which for my pre -DPF FL2 is £65 + £6.99 next day shipping.
It's good value, with good quality items, which is why I use them. https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/k...freelander-2-22d-non-dpf-models-1230012-p.asp

Buel10 said:

Great stuff, thank you. My garage should know this but.....ideal oil to use? And adequate oil to use?

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This was the oil I chose Mobil SUPER 2000 10W-40 X1 - 5Ltr
So not a cheap oil
There were other cheaper options but most were 5W40. For an older car I normally use 10W40
I'm not saying to buy from Eurocarparts. Just using them as an example of the prices.

The FL2 should use 5w30 full synthetic, which meets the required standards for the engine, which is why I use the kits from AF, as they ensure the grade oil they supply exceeds the minimum requirements.

Nodge68 said:

The FL2 should use 5w30 full synthetic, which meets the required standards for the engine, which is why I use the kits from AF, as they ensure the grade oil they supply exceeds the minimum requirements.

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LOL, I priced for FL1 parts but still not that far from your price Nodge.

Alibro said:

LOL, I priced for FL1 parts but still not that far from your price Nodge.

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Confusing innit.

Nodge68 said:

The FL2 should use 5w30 full synthetic, which meets the required standards for the engine, which is why I use the kits from AF, as they ensure the grade oil they supply exceeds the minimum requirements.

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Sorry for the obvious...but who are AF?

Forget that - seen the earlier post.

Nodge68 said:

I use Advanced Factors for my LR parts and service items, which for my pre -DPF FL2 is £65 + £6.99 next day shipping.
It's good value, with good quality items, which is why I use them. https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/k...freelander-2-22d-non-dpf-models-1230012-p.asp

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Quick one - not sure whether mine is the pre-DPF one - does it make a difference?

Buel10 said:

Quick one - not sure whether mine is the pre-DPF one - does it make a difference?

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Phone AF. They should be able tell you, if you give them the chassis number.

Alibro said:

This was the oil I chose Mobil SUPER 2000 10W-40 X1 - 5Ltr
So not a cheap oil
There were other cheaper options but most were 5W40. For an older car I normally use 10W40
I'm not saying to buy from Eurocarparts. Just using them as an example of the prices.

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Sorry to sound stupid, but what are the difference between such oils as 5W and 10W?

Buel10 said:

Sorry to sound stupid, but what are the difference between such oils as 5W and 10W?

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5w is thinner when cold, compared to 10w, so will be strain on the starter/battery, and the oil flows to where it's needed faster.
A FL2 needs a 5w30 full synthetic oil, which meets the specifications, specified by LR.