Do we all trust the oil sensor button?

solo_the_lad

solo_the_lad

Member
 Colorado, USA
I'm not too keen on trusting German electronics, I want to know if the oil sensor has ever failed anyone here? Do I even have any other options to read oil level in the N52? And is the sensor measuring oil level and quality, or just one or the other...
 
Absolutely.......I don't have a dip stick and have no other option .......personally I prefer the good old dips stick......
 
I will try and dig out the tech docs, but they do refer to oil quality, though I *think* it only the dielectric properties of the oil. It may factor into the calculation for oil service due in nnn miles though that could also likely be purely based on MPG.

it is accurate for quantity. If it fails it will tell you.
 
Scooba_Steve said:
I will try and dig out the tech docs, but they do refer to oil quality, though I *think* it only the dielectric properties of the oil. It may factor into the calculation for oil service due in nnn miles though that could also likely be purely based on MPG.

it is accurate for quantity. If it fails it will tell you.
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Then I’ll stand corrected. Had no idea it could check quality in any way.
 
solo_the_lad said:
Do I even have any other options to read oil level in the N52?
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I use a Creator C310+ to read oil level.

My target for "on max" is 65mm with engine running, water@60⁰ and oil@40⁰
 

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As I understand it, the primary function of the oil level sensor is to ensure the correct operation of the VANOS system which relies on a constant oil pressure but with varying oil flow, so knowing the oil level is crucial for all this to work it seems.
The oil level read-out on the dash is then a useful (secondary) by product of a system which is based on a capacitor immersed in oil in simple terms.
So it's a pretty robust arrangement which, if it became faulty, would result in the VANOS not working anyway rather than the possibility of giving an "OK" reading while the sump was emptying it's contents on the tarmac. I think :scratchhead:
 
I'm on my 4th N52 engine with no dip-stick, 2 in Z4s and 2 in 3 Series, and have always made a point of checking the oil level on the dash on every journey.

Firstly if I get a reading I know the engine is warmed up so ready for some high revving action in the right situation, but also it means the level sensor is working. :)
 
Mr Tidy said:
I'm on my 4th N52 engine with no dip-stick, 2 in Z4s and 2 in 3 Series, and have always made a point of checking the oil level on the dash on every journey.

Firstly if I get a reading I know the engine is warmed up so ready for some high revving action in the right situation, but also it means the level sensor is working. :)
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I’m the same.

It’s a double edged sword: it makes checking the oil level dead easy but it requires the engine to be running….
 
Scooba_Steve said:
I will try and dig out the tech docs, but they do refer to oil quality, though I *think* it only the dielectric properties of the oil. It may factor into the calculation for oil service due in nnn miles though that could also likely be purely based on MPG.

it is accurate for quantity. If it fails it will tell you.
Click to expand...

Hi, I wanted to resurrect this post briefly to ask you something. Just the other day, my oil level read as "OK," though it was at the 2/5 bar mark on the reading, implying it soon wouldn't be ok. However, yesterday it read as "OK" with 5/5 bar mark on the level. Might you know what this is about? The car was properly warmed up and on a level surface both times.
 
solo_the_lad said:
Scooba_Steve said:
I will try and dig out the tech docs, but they do refer to oil quality, though I *think* it only the dielectric properties of the oil. It may factor into the calculation for oil service due in nnn miles though that could also likely be purely based on MPG.

it is accurate for quantity. If it fails it will tell you.
Click to expand...

Hi, I wanted to resurrect this post briefly to ask you something. Just the other day, my oil level read as "OK," though it was at the 2/5 bar mark on the reading, implying it soon wouldn't be ok. However, yesterday it read as "OK" with 5/5 bar mark on the level. Might you know what this is about? The car was properly warmed up and on a level surface both times.
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The only way you really know what’s in there is to drain and fill. If you are concerned about the sensor you can replace it.
 
solo_the_lad said:
Hi, I wanted to resurrect this post briefly to ask you something. Just the other day, my oil level read as "OK," though it was at the 2/5 bar mark on the reading, implying it soon wouldn't be ok. However, yesterday it read as "OK" with 5/5 bar mark on the level. Might you know what this is about? The car was properly warmed up and on a level surface both times.
Click to expand...

As I said earlier I'm on my 4th N52 engine since 2014 and I've never had that happen, thankfully.

I only ever check it during a journey so if that happened after the 2nd 5/5 reading I'd wait a while, cross my fingers and try again!
 
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