Hi guys, I recently purchased used Jaguar XE Diesel and the oil was supposed to be replaced only 500km ago. Today I noticed a "oil level critically low" message (it disappeared soon after) so I decided to check the oil with a dipstick and I noticed it is above the maximum but completely black?

Check out the pictures... Does this look normal after only 500km? Do you know what could be the reason for the "oil level critically low" message, except for the potential oil sensor problem?

 

Welcome to the forums vamius,

If you are used to petrol engines then the dirty oil in a diesel engine will come as a shock. However, regardless of what the vendor says about servicing and what the service records show, I always do a fluid and filter change on every 'new to me' vehicle. Don't be surprised if clean oil looks like that again after another 500km but you'll be more confident KNOWING it's been done.

Dealers often choose to pump oil out for a change rather than remove the undertray and the drain plug. A much quicker method but it doesn't get all the old oil out. I'm old school and prefer to remove the drain plug.

The "oil level critically low" message is likely just to be an out-of-range signal (possibly low battery charge at the time?) as a faulty sensor would usually give a permanent wrong reading.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some information about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

If you are worried about it why not send a sample off and get it analyzed?
Post back your results to help others.

Posting a picture of the oil is worthless. It could be fine or it could be totally shot?
You can't tell a thing by looking at it that's why these oil analyzing places exist.
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My XE was my first diesel, and I have to say, I was quite shocked at how black the oil was when I got back from the dealer after a service ! Totally unlike what I was used to with petrol engines. Of course diesels do make the oil look dirty from the particulates generated in combustion, that's why there are DPFs on them, but some of that particulate output gets past the rings and blackens the oil. A year later I bought a 2015 Merc SLK diesel and that is the same, so it's really nothing to worry about provided the oil and filter is changed as recommended. I replace oil and filter at half the factory recommendations.
The oil is so black even after a change because although the old oil is drained out, but there is still enough left in for it to blacken the fresh oil.