back from wales trip, a couple of questions?

[peter2704]

so set off last Wednesday to Conway from Leeds,all seemed ok, water temp 94-103 deg ,oil level just on full, all seemed fine.
Drove the dragons spine to Cardiff ,Tenby etc and around the top gear road,and managed to get the evo triangle in too,great week and car ran fine.
the car was returning an average of 39mpg ,which for a 2.5 i didnt think was too bad.
Issue started during the last nights stay,oil level showed 3/4 full ,parked on an incline at the hotel,in the morning got the oil yellow light and bong!!
read out showing +1 litre.Seemed strange as when i turned it off it showed 3/4 full,no oil on the ground.I ran the car gently till it warmed but still showed +1L? Stopped and put half a litre in to start with ,oil level now showing full ??? dodgy oil level sensor? its come back fine and still full,
id done around a thousand miles in the 5 days.
So temped to replace the sensor as aprecaution,maybe go to 5w-40 oil as shes on 119K but not showing any signs of oil ,what do we think people?

 

[Chippie]

That sounds about normal for oil level, it never seems to show consistently when it on a slope, you really need to check it when level after running it for 30 minutes or so.
Chances are you have now got too much in.

 

[peter2704]

I was just shocked that it still showed +1 after it had warmed a bit,30 mins wow,was worried about damaging the engine. Surely for it the register /scan the level it was arm enough? oil/filter change to be done soon anyway,might do the sensor then

 

[Chippie]

Perhaps it was only slightly low, it’s hard to see any drips because of the under tray.

 

[B21]

Yup newbie mistake..never ever trust the oil level sensor on an incline either longitudinally or across the car..

Always wait till the car has run for at least 10 miles and oil is at least 80c..then let idle on level ground for a few minutes and read ..

If you had a dipstick it would have shown the same behaviour…

So you’ve overfilled it by 1/2 litre which you’ll get away with..probably..

Seperately N52 engines at higher mileages do seem to burn less oil with a 10w-40..

Probably better to get a 5W-40 if possible for good start up performance..

 

[peter2704]

will change the oil anyway ,i think its 6.5L with new filter.She was showing 3/4 all the way down so the 1/2 L panic top up shouldn't harm till I do the oil service.It was a bit worrying when its bonging and wanting oil +1L to then drive it till warm,then check again, bmw crazy !!

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'm on my 4th BMW with an N52 engine and I've never had one that would show the oil level until it was warm. :?

But I got into the habit of checking it every time I used them just to be sure the sensor was still working, but the car would usually be moving at the time.

You're right, they do take 6.5 litres. My current one has done 126K miles but still runs on 5W30 LL04. It does use a bit but that's probably because I've still got a leak somewhere. :roll:

 

[peter2704]

I feel the sensor could be ok at the moment, will do an oil change soon.I checked it all the way from wales to leeds every 10 mins and it sat on full oil ok and didnt move,i guess the slope parking at night tricked me good time

 

[B21]

The thing with oil level mis reading is don’t panic…

To suddenly lose a litre of oil would result in crap over the back of the car /lots of blue smoke / big puddles under the car..

Short of losing a drain plug it’s almost inconceivable to lose a litre just standing over night.

So if it misreads best to measure twice before taking action..

Personally I just carry a 1/2 litre..

Even if it still says low 1/2 a litre should bring it up past minimum come what may..

A litre may be just too much..unless it’s really low..

 

[peter2704]

i did panic a bit ,didnt fancy being stuck in wales with a knackered car. Agree 1 litre would of shown itself somewhere.I think i didnt let it warm enough,I thought that if I could get a reading and it showed 1L plus it must be warm enough, lesson learnt. I just had a new 1litre just in case

 

[Mr Tidy]

Maybe the "+1litre" is the only reading they show before the engine is up to temperature?

Like I said I check mine frequently and put in 500ml when it is down to the middle marker. Leaving it until the "+1litre" shows would mean it only has 5.5l in it and I'd rather keep it at 6l.

Having said that they seem to take ages to register the top-up, often more than 30 miles, so if at any time you do top it up don't expect it to register immediately or you could be tempted to add more and overfill it.

Just more over-complication IMHO. M54 engines had a proper dip-stick with a low level warning light for back-up which worked just fine!

 

[Busterboo]

Easy way. Carry a litre. Drive until the oil 'Bong'. You then have 125 miles before adding the litre. Engine will then show 'Full'.

My source? Er ... BMW.

 

[Marcoose]

Yup newbie mistake..never ever trust the oil level sensor

That’s not true, old bean. What OP needs is an auxiliary dashboard oil level and temperature display next to his auxiliary dashboard water temperature display. These come in various colours and have lifetime warranty. Guaranteed to impress your father-in-law.

 

[B21]

Yup newbie mistake..never ever trust the oil level sensor

That’s not true, old bean. What OP needs is an auxiliary dashboard oil level and temperature display next to his auxiliary dashboard water temperature display. These come in various colours and have lifetime warranty. Guaranteed to impress your father-in-law.

IMG_1099.jpeg

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: