3.0si rapidly dropping oil level

[J-B]

I had my z4 oil and filter changed 2 weeks ago at a BMW specialist. Shortly after I pressed the button to check the level which read full. All good. I just tried it again and it's reading 1/4 full. It surely can't have lost 4 litres of oil in 2 weeks and 400 miles. The car has only done 35k with fsh and I checked with the engine up to temperature. If only it had a dip stick. Any suggestions?

Cheers
Josh

 

[mr.tourette]

it certainly wont have lost 4 litres... no zed expert myself but usually the difference on most oil guages from full to its lowest indicator is 1 litre, so it may have lost 3 quaters of a litre... also it may not have been properly topped off at the oil change meaning its lost even less

 

[MHZ4C]

I wouldn't trust just one reading on the electronic dipstick, they are known to be a little unstable.

I've had the reading fluctuate a bit after changing the oil, but it will settle down. It's not necessarily the oil sensor, but may be the new filter getting coated and the vanos taking up some oil after it was drained.

As long as there's no add oil lights, then get the engine hot, drive with revs over 1500 rpm and take a few readings to be sure.

 

[Josh-B]

I've checked many times now but it still says 1/4. They put in 6 1/2 litres at the garage but I'm not sure how much it takes to fill. I checked the data stream on my diagnostics thingy which seems to say that the set point with the engine off should be 60mm and it's at 58.6mm which seem like it should be fine.

 

[J-B]

it certainly wont have lost 4 litres... no zed expert myself but usually the difference on most oil guages from full to its lowest indicator is 1 litre, so it may have lost 3 quaters of a litre... also it may not have been properly topped off at the oil change meaning its lost even less

That's a good point, cheers. I assumed it was total level.

 

[J-B]

I wouldn't trust just one reading on the electronic dipstick, they are known to be a little unstable.

I've had the reading fluctuate a bit after changing the oil, but it will settle down. It's not necessarily the oil sensor, but may be the new filter getting coated and the vanos taking up some oil after it was drained.

As long as there's no add oil lights, then get the engine hot, drive with revs over 1500 rpm and take a few readings to be sure.

I've heard from a few people that the sensors can be a bit vague

 

[srhutch]

The electronic dipstick measures a total of 1 litre, not the entire sump.

As above it can be problematic at times. As long as it doesn't get yo the point of saying add some more I would leave it a bit. It will probably sort itself out.

 

[J-B]

The electronic dipstick measures a total of 1 litre, not the entire sump.

As above it can be problematic at times. As long as it doesn't get yo the point of saying add some more I would leave it a bit. It will probably sort itself out.

Ah perfect, thanks. I'll keep checking it and top it up

 

[Mark555]

It takes 6.5 litres. If the garage added 6.5 litres at the time, I would be very reluctant to add any more as overfill is as bad as not enough.

 

[J-B]

It takes 6.5 litres. If the garage added 6.5 litres at the time, I would be very reluctant to add any more as overfill is as bad as not enough.

I checked a few more times and then added 3/4 of a litre and it still reads 1/4. So I may have overfilled and the sensor could be faulty :S It seems to run fine for now

 

[Mark555]

It takes 6.5 litres. If the garage added 6.5 litres at the time, I would be very reluctant to add any more as overfill is as bad as not enough.

I checked a few more times and then added 3/4 of a litre and it still reads 1/4. So I may have overfilled and the sensor could be faulty :S It seems to run fine for now

Hi J-B,
Any update on your oil problem? Is it all sorted and running ok now? I ask as everyone is saying to allow the engine to run and then turn off and wait 5-10 minutes till you take a reading for correct measurement.

 

[Smartbear]

It takes 6.5 litres. If the garage added 6.5 litres at the time, I would be very reluctant to add any more as overfill is as bad as not enough.

I checked a few more times and then added 3/4 of a litre and it still reads 1/4. So I may have overfilled and the sensor could be faulty :S It seems to run fine for now

Hi J-B,
Any update on your oil problem? Is it all sorted and running ok now? I ask as everyone is saying to allow the engine to run and then turn off and wait 5-10 minutes till you take a reading for correct measurement.

I understand the n52 engine must be running (and up to temperature) before the electronic dipstick will work, sounds like your advice is for a traditional dipstick set up?
Regards

 

[Mark555]

Yep, that's correct.