Oil Dipstick troubles

WEVCORE

MEMBER
1998 PEUGEOT 306
111,000 MILES

Peugeot 306 LX DT 1998 - Have I messed up an oil change?

So I was changing the oil on my car, everything was going as expected, removed the sump, oil came out (though not as much as I expected), changed the filter, added some new oil, checked the dip stick - it was completely clear and only showed new oil. Waited some, added some more, checked the dipstick. Did this a few times. I've added 3.5l of oil (most things I've read say it's 4.5 to max). It still wasn't showing anything on the dipstick, so I ran the engine for about 2 minutes. Upon checking the dipstick again, the oil is showing like an INCH above the max line, with black oil.

So I though maybe the sump didn't drain completely as the car wasn't on completely level ground (but the sump was lowest point), so I stuck my head underneath the bonnet and to my horror, have noticed another sump plug.

Checking my Haynes this plug is the one that's closest to the oil filter, and I'm pretty sure is the one that I should have used. I removed a plug from molded engine looking place closer to the passenger side of the car.

My question is, which oil have I removed! And why did the dipstick show clear/no oil before I ran the car!

Now i'm feeling really stupid, have I broke my car from doing an oil change!

Thanks in advance.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

I am not sure what oil you have drained but if you can get pictures of both drain plugs and what color the oil was when it came out, that will surely help.

However, based on this, I suspect you have drained the gear oil/transmission oil and the reason it wasn't showing up on the dipstick was because the engine was actually low on oil.

What I can't explain is why when you put the oil back into the engine that you were not seeing any oil on the dipstick.

I fear that we were not putting the oil back into the engine. So here is a guide that will help with these locations:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter

If you can get pictures of these drain plugs and where you filled the oil, we will be able to figure out what happened. Unfortunately we don't have a manual on this vehicle as it is not offered here in the USA so we are going to have to work through this with pictures. Thanks