Digital dipstick

[Liam22]

Good point Rob, but it's not really practical to do an oil change in the paddock between qualifying and the race. Over time I will learn how much oil it uses per hour of track time, so that will help.

The battery will be disconnected at every race meeting as part of technical scrutineering so it's no big deal for me to disconnect frequently.

I've heard that the immobiliser can get upset, but I've not fitted the battery isolator yet to find out.

 

[Smartbear]

Good point Rob, but it's not really practical to do an oil change in the paddock between qualifying and the race. Over time I will learn how much oil it uses per hour of track time, so that will help.

The battery will be disconnected at every race meeting as part of technical scrutineering so it's no big deal for me to disconnect frequently.

I've heard that the immobiliser can get upset, but I've not fitted the battery isolator yet to find out.

How about a sump baffle to lessen the chance of the oil pump sucking air, has it been done I wonder? :?
Rob

 

[Liam22]

How about a sump baffle to lessen the chance of the oil pump sucking air, has it been done I wonder? :?

Haven't been able to find one off the shelf, and the folks I know that race a E87 130i haven't been able to make one.

There is one for the N54 but needs modifying and welding to fit. And it's only available in the US. And it's $200
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-motorsports-oil-pan-baffle-bmw-n54-p1435.aspx

So a full sump and oil pressure gauge for the timebeing

 

[Singapore stag]

How long does it need to register a new level? This is going to make top-ups at the track a real PITA.

Where do you do this racing? What is involved? As respects costs, and type of racing and who against?
Sounds very interesting..... I hear alot of forum members talk about trackdays etc etc.

 

[ph001]

"Fig. 52: Checking Oil Lever
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Dynamic oil level measurement begins when following values are reached:
•Engine temperature > 60°C
•Engine speed > 1000 RPM
•Transverse and longitudinal acceleration < 4-5 m/s2

The transverse acceleration signal is supplied by the DSC. The longitudinal acceleration is
calculated from the speed and time factors.

On reaching this value, the oil level indicator is updated approximately 5 minutes after starting
vehicle operation. The oil level is then continuously measured.

The indicator is updated at 20 minute intervals."

 

[scootr]

"Fig. 52: Checking Oil Lever
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Dynamic oil level measurement begins when following values are reached:
•Engine temperature > 60°C
•Engine speed > 1000 RPM
•Transverse and longitudinal acceleration < 4-5 m/s2

The transverse acceleration signal is supplied by the DSC. The longitudinal acceleration is
calculated from the speed and time factors.

On reaching this value, the oil level indicator is updated approximately 5 minutes after starting
vehicle operation. The oil level is then continuously measured.

The indicator is updated at 20 minute intervals."

Good info
I assume a stop start would call for a fresh reading without driving 20 minutes.

 

[ph001]

I assume a stop start would call for a fresh reading without driving 20 minutes.

Doesn't seem to be any clear info around on that. Definitely need at least 5 minutes though. It's so easy to overfill the N52 with this system.

 

[Smartbear]

I assume a stop start would call for a fresh reading without driving 20 minutes.

Doesn't seem to be any clear info around on that. Definitely need at least 5 minutes though. It's so easy to overfill the N52 with this system.

I seem to remember my 3.0si taking more than 5 minutes, thought it was more like 10 or so?
Rob

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, all of mine have taken much longer than 5 minutes to register a top-up.

Last time I put some in my E90 I did a 35 mile drive and it still didn't register until I was coming home!

 

[Smartbear]

Yes, all of mine have taken much longer than 5 minutes to register a top-up.

Last time I put some in my E90 I did a 35 mile drive and it still didn't register until I was coming home!

I meant longer than 5 minutes before the car’s up to temp and can give you a reading, let alone register a top up :?
Rob

 

[Mr Tidy]

I meant longer than 5 minutes before the car’s up to temp and can give you a reading, let alone register a top up
Rob

Right.

All of mine have needed to travel about 5 miles to show a reading, and as I said way longer to register a top-up - which isn't much use to Liam!

 

[Liam22]

Where do you do this racing? What is involved? As respects costs, and type of racing and who against?
Sounds very interesting..... I hear alot of forum members talk about trackdays etc etc.

I primarily race in the 750MC Roadsports series https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/roadsports.htm

For a BMW enthusiast going racing for the first time, I would recommend you take a look at
E30 320i https://www.msvracing.com/cars/race-series/production-bmw-championship/
E87 116i https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/116-trophy.htm
(there's also a E85 series but I don't know much about it)

Costs are likely to be £10k first year (incl. car), then £3-5k per season depending on how much work you do yourself.

It is a different world to track days.

 

[Singapore stag]

Thanks Liam, its very interesting. I bet it can get you hooked. Must admit, not for the faint hearted as a hobby/sport.

 

[Needanothercoupe]

So still not driven my coupe as been busy in the van and staying home but my partner has used the car infrequently this is the story

1. drove Northampton to Leeds all ok. Next day oil light came on when on the small hill outside the house so put in half a litre booked in for oil change which was done next day

2 my partner took it for oil change then drove 3 miles home all ok

3 car went somewhere local in Leeds

4 today my partner took it 8-10 miles to stables oil light came on and one bar on dash, topped up with half a litre to 3 bars on dash

5 car has just done 30 miles and reading 3 bars still.

Previous owner is adamant no oil issues it did have an oil leak at the top end but was fixed using bmw parts, when changing oil my partner was told it had an oil leak down low but non has hit the ground in 3 weeks or in 2 and a half years with the previous owner, no smoking and engine sounds super sweet I thought it was probably residue from the high up oil leak but they say not as it’s clean fresh oil.

This makes no sense the oil has to be going somewhere, the engine is not burning oil, it had an oil change and hardly moved since, no oil hitting the floor, and odd readings on the dash

Garage said take the car in on Monday they will look it over i am baffled

 

[Smartbear]

If the engines not leaking the oil out then it must be burning it, remove the disa & check inside the manifold for oil.
Rob

 

[Needanothercoupe]

Hi Rob

Initially need to find out how much oil was put in at the change, but I’m not convinced the display is working as it should ie I been to the nearest Guinness outlet that I believed would be open tonight about 4 miles away plus darted up the m1 for a junction on the return, I checked the gauge it said one bar but no warning then a couple of miles later it read 4 bars the three times I checked it on the way home

 

[Needanothercoupe]

Would it not smoke if burning oil? It isn’t smoking any it drives lovely it’s a great car but I probably have new owner issue or paranoia possibly

 

[Jfgoldfish]

Initially need to find out how much oil was put in at the change

It does sound like the garage might have under filled it a little, hence the need for the top up afterwards.
The electronic dipstick does take some time to settle down after topping up or changing the oil.

It it isn't smoking under load, at startup or when you gas it after idling I wouldn't worry for now. Probably best to try get some miles onto it when you can and get a better idea of the actual oil consumption.

 

[Smartbear]

Would it not smoke if burning oil? It isn’t smoking any it drives lovely it’s a great car but I probably have new owner issue or paranoia possibly

Not necessarily, the cats combined with heavily baffled/wadded silencers seem to do a good job of hiding oil burning from the tail pipes, they usually appear heavily sooted with specks on the rear bumper as well. I’ve never seen clouds of blue smoke from one even when it’s known to be an oil burner :?
Rob
Rob

 

[Needanothercoupe]

Initially need to find out how much oil was put in at the change

It does sound like the garage might have under filled it a little, hence the need for the top up afterwards.
The electronic dipstick does take some time to settle down after topping up or changing the oil.

It it isn't smoking under load, at startup or when you gas it after idling I wouldn't worry for now. Probably best to try get some miles onto it when you can and get a better idea of the actual oil consumption.

cheers I’m popping to the Guinness outlet again in a minute, I’m not actually drinking any really I’ll see what the display does