Acceptable oil use?

E

edd_jedi

Active member
I had an oil service last week, and right after the service the oil level (electronic, no dip stick) was showing as full. A week later and after 50 miles or so, it is now down to 2 bars, so still 'OK' but has dropped 3 bars.

I'm not panicking and assume this isn't a cause for concern right after a service so I'll obviously top it up and see what happens. But what kind of oil usage is acceptable on a 3.0? My old 5 series used virtually none between services, so not sure what to expect with this.
 
My coupe on 96k didn't use any :? , is it possible you aren't checking when the engine is at correct temp ?
To use a litre of oil in 50 miles would be OTT
 
It was after approx one hour of driving today so definitely up to temperature. I assumed the oil was just 'settling in' as you are often recommended to check the oil shortly after having a service. I'll keep an eye on it anyway.
 
Have you opened the bonnet and looked for an obvious oil leak .......and under the front of the car too , just in case
 
If you checked just after the service the reading might not of updated, I'm sure it's not instant, takes a while to get an accurate reading. So mabe they never put enough in after the service.
 
It's a great lubricant in all situations, especially high temperature oil... though I have been told that some of my applications were unacceptable.



Oops, wrong type of thread - will get my coat :D
 
I wouldnt top it up until the yellow light comes on, then add one litre.

Also the electronic gauges can give false readings sometimes so filling now could lead to over filling.

Best thing to do is find out how much they put in. From memory you need 6 litres.
 
That's not right, I had an oil service nearly 6 months ago now and 2000 miles later, still showing full on the elec dipstick. Same engine etc by the way.
As said I wouldn't fill up before the yellow light comes on or you'll risk overfilling which is as bad as under filling. I would check for an oil leak somewhere though as that can't be right.......
 
I put a big piece of cardboard under the car last night and there's nothing there this morning, so no apparent leak. I'll top it up next time it asks and then see if it happens again. My old 5 series needed the rocker cover gasket replacing, it could be that I guess.
 
It's probably not been filled correctly..

If the previous trip from Manchester to London didn't show big oil usage then no reason for it to start..
 
Does it smell like its burning oil at all after a run? Seems odd, you said it showed as full after the oil change though?
Its possible the garage you used didn't fill it up correctly, if that's the case I wouldn't be using that garage again if they can't carry out a simple oil change correctly......

Only other option could be a faulty sensor but then It probably wouldn't read at all. If it was the rocker cover you'd see black dirt around that area and most likely a smell of burning oil after a hard run.
 
Check under the oil filter housing (you may need a bendy mirror on a stick) where this joins the cylinder block towards the radiator, and also for a trickle from the filter housing that will form under the head gasket on the cylinder block on the nearside. Also check round the bottom of the sump gasket (you can just about see the back of this is if you look at the engine from near the passenger door - a good bright torch will help on this one). The oil filter gasket is a very common failure on the 3.0 N52.

If they're not leaking then the chances are it was either incorrectly filled (this is extremely unlikely if you used any decent garage), or its burnt a bit of oil (also extremely uncommon on the N52).
 
Theres no issues with the engine unless ones developed since you've had it.

most likely just didn't get a full top up when being serviced or something.

in the 3/4k miles I owned it, I estimate it used 400-600ml and that was with the pants halfords oil that previous owner used...i topped up with castrol edge I think
which is in line with whats been said here http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=801440
 
Thanks Mike. As said I'm not concerned, I don't see how a garage is supposed to get it 100% spot on with no dip stick and considering the sensor doesn't give an accurate reading unless the engine and oil are at full operating temperature. Will just keep an eye on it.
 
edd_jedi said:
Thanks Mike. As said I'm not concerned, I don't see how a garage is supposed to get it 100% spot on with no dip stick and considering the sensor doesn't give an accurate reading unless the engine and oil are at full operating temperature. Will just keep an eye on it.
Click to expand...

They should get it right as they measure it out first then just pour it in.
 
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