Oil Level Sensor Faulty ??

[DiscoDaveZ4]

New to BMW and still asking questions into how to fix....lol

Well, had my engine oil changed yesterday, along with gearbox oil. The gearbox feels so much better, but it was noted that on refill of the engine oil, just over 5 liters, the oil gauge still showed the old value of being 3/4 filled (250ml short), so I added another 0.5 liter (to take it to 5.5liters), hoping that it would move, it did not. I then took it for a drive (20min) and still in the same position.

What is strange is that in the past, that if I filled with approx 250ml I saw a move on the gauge of 1/4, I am losing oil (130k miles), mainly due to leaking sump gasket (will sort), so really do not now need a faulty oil level sensor.

If I need I will replace the sensor, I have seen BMW want approx. £190 and a 3rd party sensor Hella is £80, is it true that they make it for BMW and if not any recommendations on what to buy other than BMW.

Trying to keep costs down as currently its going to cost me to keep it. (eccentric sensor, new valve cover and also have a leak on the sump gasket that needs sorting....lol)

I am replacing the eccentric sensor, BMW £500, 3rd party Siemens VD0 £200, who make it for BMW.

So any indication into 3rd party oil level sensors would be apricated and advice welcome, keeping \crossed it sorts it self or a easy fix.

 

[obewan]

IIRC (there's a post by Smartbear about it), it has to get up to temperature and be driven 15-20 miles before the gauge shows the new level.
I've had the same issue when I changed my oil in the past.
Crazy I know, bring back the dipstick

 

[DiscoDaveZ4]

Cheer mate, I am hoping that over a few days it sorts itself.

 

[obewan]

Just looking for the post now, but there are a few that says it seems to need to 'cycle' a few times to register correctly
Hopefully it's no more than that.
I did multiple oil changes during my E89 ownership and it always seemed to be the case

 

[obewan]

Found this:

ph001 wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:13 pm
"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."

 

[Pondrew]

Found this:

ph001 wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:13 pm
"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."

All that just to replace a £2.00 dipstick!
And they only replaced the dipstick so that the average owner didn't have to get their hands dirty.
The world has gone mad.

 

[DiscoDaveZ4]

obewan, cheers, I will have a longer drive home tonight, as its normally 11 miles 20min. Sun is out will have fun and keep fingers crossed.

 

[MikeyH]

Found this:

ph001 wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:13 pm
"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."

All that just to replace a £2.00 dipstick!
And they only replaced the dipstick so that the average owner didn't have to get their hands dirty.
The world has gone mad.

Mmmaaaaddddd!

 

[DiscoDaveZ4]

Has anyone got bimmerlink, the good news I think....lol.i can monitor the raw oil level and it is reading 67mm and I can see it move up and down on hills, so fingers crossed idrive will sort itself out

But does anyone now the metric reading in mm and the full reading in mm.

I prefer this method over idrive...lol

 

[Mr Tidy]

From what I can see you have a 23i so it has the N52 engine. Both my E86s and 3 Series with that engine took 6.5 litres, so unless the E89 takes less oil I'm not surprised you had to add some!

As others have said the electronic dipstick seems to take ages to register a top up so give it time as you don't want to overfill it. And you're right, each increment on the gauge represents 250ml.

 

[DiscoDaveZ4]

Took about 3 days for it to sort it self out, will be using Bimmerlink to monitor level