Where Has My Oil Gone?

C

coupedan

Member
 West Berkshire
I am in the habit of checking my oil every time I am about to switch the car off (Electronic dipstick)

Last night, parked the car and the oil was showing as full (Parked on a flat and level surface).

This morning I have driven approximately 30 miles, mostly motorway driving and when I got to work (parked on flat, level surface again) I am down 500ML or half way on the electric dipstick.

Now I know I have a small cam cover leak but other than that.. no visible signs of a big leak and most definitely no smoke on startup or acceleration.

Exhaust tips are not that black either, only lightly black as most 3.0si tips are...

Sooo.. where on earth has my oil gone?!
 
Have you checked the level when it's stone cold. It's more accurate. When it's been run you'll have more oil pulled from the sump so won't give a consistent read out.
 
Monkeydonkeyratmagic said:
Have you checked the level when it's stone cold. It's more accurate. When it's been run you'll have more oil pulled from the sump so won't give a consistent read out.
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You can't on the N52.. the electronic dipstick will only give you a readout when the car is up to temp.

And unfortunately.. no physical dipstick either :headbang:
 
..and supposedly also has to be over 1500rpm so checking it when parked at idle might not be valid either.
 
ph001 said:
..and supposedly also has to be over 1500rpm so checking it when parked at idle might not be valid either.
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Personally never heard of the has to be over 1500RPM before.. read the manual to my book 5 years ago when I got the car and always done it at idle.
 
I used to find it gives the odd rouge reading. I never used to check every time though. Check again in a day or two and you'll probably find it reads correct.
 
coupedan said:
I am in the habit of checking my oil every time I am about to switch the car off (Electronic dipstick)

Last night, parked the car and the oil was showing as full (Parked on a flat and level surface).

This morning I have driven approximately 30 miles, mostly motorway driving and when I got to work (parked on flat, level surface again) I am down 500ML or half way on the electric dipstick.

Now I know I have a small cam cover leak but other than that.. no visible signs of a big leak and most definitely no smoke on startup or acceleration.

Exhaust tips are not that black either, only lightly black as most 3.0si tips are...

Sooo.. where on earth has my oil gone?!
Click to expand...

Its probably been burnt, with the compartmented rear box full of wadding & the cats up front you probably wont see much smoke.
Gummed up ccv systems can cause the engine to suck in & burn engine vapor via the inlet manifold :?
Rob
 
coupedan said:
ph001 said:
..and supposedly also has to be over 1500rpm so checking it when parked at idle might not be valid either.
Click to expand...

Personally never heard of the has to be over 1500RPM before.. read the manual to my book 5 years ago when I got the car and always done it at idle.
Click to expand...

The manual just states that the car needs to be up to temp doesn't mention any rpm values.
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Hmmm... trying to source where the raised rpm thing came from... didn't just make it up.. promise!
 
The lack of dipstick is not ideal on the N52. Better for emissions, worse for oil checks...

Unless the readings are taken under similar conditions, then the electronic gauge isn't 100% consistent.

Best average it over a couple of readings on different days. Also, get the engine up to temp and cycle the Vanos by revving over 4000 rpm, to ensure all oil has circulated and made it back to the sump.
 
So I've done a 50odd mile trip tonight (over 2 different starts) and both times the car is still reading on the half way!!

Going to try and whip the big DISA out over the weekend to see if my intake is pooled with oil and pointing towards CCV
 
coupedan said:
So I've done a 50odd mile trip tonight (over 2 different starts) and both times the car is still reading on the half way!!

Going to try and whip the big DISA out over the weekend to see if my intake is pooled with oil and pointing towards CCV
Click to expand...

Take a look at the sump below the inlet manifold. Mine has a spigot for dipstick which was capped off with a rubber bung. This deteriorated and both let oil out and caused some rough running (reduced crankcase pressure). My Indy spotted it in minutes and said he'd come across it as a problem before.
 
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