Citroen Jumpy Oil Question.

[JumpyCricket]

Hello everyone.

I currently own my first car, it is a Citroën Jumpy 2012. It is automatic and diesel. Now I am totally inexperienced with anything mechanical. Even the god damn basics. Just opening the bonnet gives me anxiety....

I have a question regarding what comes up on my dashboard when I start the engine. For months I had the 'Oil Ok' come up. However, today I got a message saying 'Oil --' .

I have searched high and low online and on YouTube. From what I can gather it relates to the oil level indicator. Now is it telling me the oil level indicator itself has broken, or that there is insufficient oil in oder to make an indication???

Thank you so much for reading this and putting in the time to help this numpty asking this question.

[PaulC5]

If not done already, use the dip stick to check the oil level, you might find it is a bit low. I think the number of dashes on the indicator is an idea of the level. Whilst the indicator is useful, it is not a good thing to rely on it in case it develops a fault.

[GiveMeABreak]

If the Oil flashes accompanied by a message it means low oil level, but if you get the oil flashing with dashes, it means there's a fault with the oil level reading. Check again after the engine has been switched off and left for a while to cool down. Then switch the ignition back on and see what the oil notification is doing then. It should state oil 'OK' if normal. But always use the dipstick to check if unsure.

[JumpyCricket]

Cheers for the help and information!

My follow up then would be how to check if the oil on the dipstick is sufficient. As I have zero knowledge of that and so don't even have a baseline.

The manual has the upper gray as the max and lower gray as the minimum.

I have taken the dipstick out. Wiped it. Inserted it. And this is the result.

Should the dipstick be covered in oil up to the maximum. Therefore I don't see any orange at all? Or is this an okay reading for the amount of oil I have?

Sorry to ask such basic questions. But yeah. I don't really have anyone or anywhere else to ask for help.

Thanks again so much.

[JumpyCricket]

I should add. There is no message. Just Oil -- and it blinks.

[GiveMeABreak]

The oil level should be between the MIN and MAX, but never exceed the MAX. If the oil counter continues to read OIL flashing with dashes, then you need to have it looked at by your dealer.

[JumpyCricket]

Okay. I shall check again when I start the engine. The smear I have on the dipstick, would you assume that isn't enough oil then?

This smear reaches the max level. But it is just a smear. I am not sure if it should be more than a smear or covered completely to the max?

[GiveMeABreak]

I can't see from the photo. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground before taking a reading and check 10-15 minutes after you have shut the engine off or before starting.

As long as it is between the levels it will be fine for driving until you get the issue checked out.

[JumpyCricket]

I posted on the Citroën reddit and someone said the dipstick itself is broken????

[GiveMeABreak]

Really

Keep away from those places!

If the dipstick was broken you would of lost the lower part in the tube - so can't possibly be that as you have the yellow part with the measurement on.

[Rp0thejester]

Once the engine is warm, park on level ground and wait 10mins. Then check the oil level. NEVER ADD OIL IF UNSURE!!!!!!

[PaulC5]

If it is not clear from the above posts, the oil level is checked using the dip stick with the engine switched off. If it has been running wait for some time before checking but it is often best to check it first thing in the day before starting. When you first pull out the dip stick wipe the oil off the end of it with a tissue, then insert it again as far as it will go then pull it back out and then look at the oil on the yellow part to check the level. It ought to be between an upper and a lower mark on the yellow part. If it is below the lower mark then it might need some oil adding, the amount between the lower and upper marks is often about 1 litre.

[Estately]

That dipstick does look broken.

Not sure if only Citroen offer this as a negative "extra" but I have had the same.

As you know it is plastic and I do not believe that the broken plastic tip will cause any damage as there should be a mesh arrangement to prevent it from being picked up in the oil.

Hopefully the next oil change should see it come out with the old oil.

Replacement dipsticks are readily available on sites such as eBay.

Just search with your vehicle type etc., I found a Bilstein to replace mine.

Problem is you don't know your true oil level until you get a replacement, so keep the journey distances down, only use the vehicle if you really, really have to.

Hope that helps.
Andy

[JumpyCricket]

Thank you. Everyone for your help and advice.

I found a local citroen workshop and they confirmed that the dipstick was broken and I got a new dipstick later that day. The oil level was ironically(?) slightly above the maximum. I spoke with a mechanic and he said that the amount for being over the maximum level would not cause any damage.

I asked about the oil-- and they said it might be a broken sensor. Or it might be that the level is slightly above the maximum hence why it cannot give an 'Oil ok' message.

I appreciate all of your help and input! Really help to ease my anxiety over all of this.

[GiveMeABreak]

I stand corrected in that case - but it was hard to be 100% certain as to the type of dipstick fitted and when I had a check on parts there are multiple versions of these in different shapes and length, but seeing as the yellow bit was intact, it may be that you have a different type. You didn't mention the year and engine / model etc. and I don't have your VIN, so couldn't do ore than a cursory check.

Glad you have had it confirmed properly at a garage though.