BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing
 
European Auto Source (EAS)
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-13-2013, 02:16 PM   #1
Scottsard32
New Member
5
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: E93 M3 EDC 2008
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hythe, Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Engine oil level too high - Max Warning

Hi,

I have a BMW e93 2008 M3 and (Still cant believe I did it without reading first so please go easy on me!!) I have overfilled the oil. car was showing 2 notches on the electronic reader and I put 2 litres in, I have since learnt this was ridiculous and I should of only filled when the car asks and then 1/4 litre at a time. I have not drove the car and don't intend to, only started up for 10 seconds to get the reading (Car already hot). My question is to drain off oil, is it worth draining the front sump (3/4 Litre) and then the rest from the main sump or just going straight from the main sump? If this is not advisable I can get recovered from on my drive and taken to a dealer but BMW assist have advised they will charge in the region of £200 to do this.

Thanks,
Scott
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 02:29 PM   #2
elm3
///M Fan
elm3's Avatar
United_States
366
Rep
2,157
Posts

Drives: '09 E92 M3 IB/'17 f85 X5M LBB
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canton, GA.

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2017 BMW / X5M  [9.00]
2009 E92 M3  [10.00]
2004 Yamaha R1  [10.00]
I would start off with the front sump. Do another reading and then see where you are at. I think that the front sump is for the oil coming from the filter case, I might be wrong. But try that and see where you are at first. Hope that this helps.

Eric
__________________
'09 E92 ///M3 Interlagos Blue,6MT,Silver Novillo Leather,CF Trim,Premium Package,Technology Package,Cold Weather Package,Premium Sound,19"Wheels,Moonroof-Toy/'17 X5M, Long Beach Blue, Executive Package,Technology Package, Lighting Package, Driver Assist, Full Mughello Red Interior, 21" wheels-Toy/'14 535i with M Sport and 19" wheels-Daily
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 02:33 PM   #3
Chriskm3
Colonel
Chriskm3's Avatar
Canada
59
Rep
2,186
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (4)

Have you checked if your still within limit?
__________________
Vf supercharger + tune/H&R coils/ Akra evolution exhaust/Volk te37/ Rs-3 tires/ Brembos /TIal BOV/ OSS blacked out headlights/LUX v3/Led taillights/ Challenge Front lip/ P3 vent gauge/ F10 m5 shift mob/Matte black front grills/ And a funky air fresher
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 03:51 PM   #4
Scottsard32
New Member
5
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: E93 M3 EDC 2008
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hythe, Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Chriskm3 - What do you mean by have I checked if I am still in limit? I had two green notches on the oil reading, wrongly assumed this was half full and topped up. First by 1/2 litre and then took a reading, no change, then another 1/2 litre, no change and then added 1 litre, (again very stupid I know!) started car for 10 seconds, got the alarm max level, oil too high. I then switched the car off, phoned BMW assist for advise and then researched the internet. I am reluctant to get my car recovered and pay BMW £200+ (estimate by assist) to take 1 - 2 litres back out my car......thats if draining the oil is a simple task. I am interested to know if it is worth completly emptying the front sump and then measuring whats taken out or go straight from the main sump? Thanks for any advice given!!
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 03:53 PM   #5
Scottsard32
New Member
5
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: E93 M3 EDC 2008
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hythe, Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Elm3 - Is there any risk by starting the car and letting warm up to get a reading after just doing the front sump? bearing in mind I put 2 litres in and from the forum the front only holds 1/2 - 3/4 litre? Thanks for your advice!
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 03:56 PM   #6
brava09
Lieutenant Colonel
brava09's Avatar
767
Rep
1,683
Posts

Drives: M4C xdrive
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

I would let BMW take care of this...you seem to be novice in these things and could do more damage than the 200$ you are trying to save
__________________
22 M4 Competition xdrive
19 M5 Competition sold
16 F-Type S AWD sold
11 Audi RS5 Misano Red--sold
08 E92 M3 Jerez Black 6MT--sold
08 E92 335i 6MT traded in for M3
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 04:02 PM   #7
Peahi
Captain
Peahi's Avatar
13
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 2012 M3 CPE
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Holy crap two bottles!!

When it says put in 1, I put in way less and it ends up near the top of the meter. I agree with others flat bed it in to dealer.
__________________
Appreciate 1
      03-13-2013, 04:06 PM   #8
rantarM3
Captain
205
Rep
729
Posts

Drives: E90 M3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Florida

iTrader: (3)

Why don't you just drain 2 liters and be back to where you started? I personally would not start the car with that much of an overfill. I would drain the front sump and measure the amount that came out. At that point you will probably not have gotten all 2 liters out but just 250-500 mls. You can then try draining the main sump and trying to recap as the oil gushes out but that's guaranteed to create a superb mess. If you drain the main sump entirely, then your question is whether you want to reuse that oil. The risk there is that you get some foreign particles into the oil while draining and refilling. You also risk dumping all 9 liters over your engine bay unless you do it with a small container.

Another alternative is to drain the front sump, start the car and wait a few seconds for the oil to circulate, stop the car, re-drain the front sump, and repeat until you get all 2 liters out. Don't know whether such an overfill could cause damage to the engine during the restart phase of the cycle.

You could also drain all the oil and just refill with new oil, putting in 8-8.5 liters at first and then checking the level to top off. Keep in mind that the sensor could take a long time to read the actual level (e.g., 100 miles).

Last alternative is to flatbed to the dealer but as we all know, no guarantee that they'll do it right either.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 04:16 PM   #9
Scottsard32
New Member
5
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: E93 M3 EDC 2008
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hythe, Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

RantarM3 - Thanks! That was my intentions, to drain off exactly what I put in and measure as I remove. I have'nt started the car since and don't intend to. I have a mechanic 2 doors down but just wanted to clarify. I am not a complete novice just had a major stupid moment! I also have access to an oil suction remover from a mechanic friend, would this be a preferred route after the front sump?
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 04:21 PM   #10
elm3
///M Fan
elm3's Avatar
United_States
366
Rep
2,157
Posts

Drives: '09 E92 M3 IB/'17 f85 X5M LBB
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canton, GA.

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2017 BMW / X5M  [9.00]
2009 E92 M3  [10.00]
2004 Yamaha R1  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottsard32 View Post
Elm3 - Is there any risk by starting the car and letting warm up to get a reading after just doing the front sump? bearing in mind I put 2 litres in and from the forum the front only holds 1/2 - 3/4 litre? Thanks for your advice!
I would not think so, as long as you are not reving the engine. But I would like for others to chime in. I don't want to tell you go ahead and then something bad happens. I would call the service dept. at your dealership and let them know what happened and see what they would recommend.
Eric
__________________
'09 E92 ///M3 Interlagos Blue,6MT,Silver Novillo Leather,CF Trim,Premium Package,Technology Package,Cold Weather Package,Premium Sound,19"Wheels,Moonroof-Toy/'17 X5M, Long Beach Blue, Executive Package,Technology Package, Lighting Package, Driver Assist, Full Mughello Red Interior, 21" wheels-Toy/'14 535i with M Sport and 19" wheels-Daily
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 04:31 PM   #11
elm3
///M Fan
elm3's Avatar
United_States
366
Rep
2,157
Posts

Drives: '09 E92 M3 IB/'17 f85 X5M LBB
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canton, GA.

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2017 BMW / X5M  [9.00]
2009 E92 M3  [10.00]
2004 Yamaha R1  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottsard32 View Post
RantarM3 - Thanks! That was my intentions, to drain off exactly what I put in and measure as I remove. I have'nt started the car since and don't intend to. I have a mechanic 2 doors down but just wanted to clarify. I am not a complete novice just had a major stupid moment! I also have access to an oil suction remover from a mechanic friend, would this be a preferred route after the front sump?
I don't think that the suction method will work, since we do not have a dipstick. The suction method will use the tube where the dipstick would go. That way you would slide the rubber hose in the tube down to the crank case.
__________________
'09 E92 ///M3 Interlagos Blue,6MT,Silver Novillo Leather,CF Trim,Premium Package,Technology Package,Cold Weather Package,Premium Sound,19"Wheels,Moonroof-Toy/'17 X5M, Long Beach Blue, Executive Package,Technology Package, Lighting Package, Driver Assist, Full Mughello Red Interior, 21" wheels-Toy/'14 535i with M Sport and 19" wheels-Daily
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 05:09 PM   #12
Scottsard32
New Member
5
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: E93 M3 EDC 2008
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hythe, Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by elm3 View Post
I don't think that the suction method will work, since we do not have a dipstick. The suction method will use the tube where the dipstick would go. That way you would slide the rubber hose in the tube down to the crank case.
Thanks for the advice.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 05:11 PM   #13
shendrick
Second Lieutenant
United_States
8
Rep
255
Posts

Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Near Boston MA

iTrader: (0)

The front sump only holds about 1/4 liter. Therefore, you'll never get there. If the old oil in the motor has less than 2,000 miles on it - I would drain into a clean container and put the correct amount back into the engine recognizing that you have not changed the filter. If the oil is more than 2,000 miles old, just do an oil change. But what ever you do , don't run the engine or drive the car in its current state of overfill.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 06:20 PM   #14
M3takesNYC
Banned
19
Rep
426
Posts

Drives: m3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Easiest thing to do is drain the front sump. Get half-litre out. Then start the car and let it run for 30 seconds. Then drain it again later in the eve once it cools and repeat. You can get at the front sump without lifting the car which is nice.

Driving with almost 2 extra litres is not a good thing I would have to imagine.

You really dumped 2 entire litre bottles into the thing and called that "topping off"??
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 08:42 PM   #15
heart_doctor
Lieutenant
320
Rep
579
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2
Join Date: May 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottsard32 View Post
Chriskm3 - What do you mean by have I checked if I am still in limit? I had two green notches on the oil reading, wrongly assumed this was half full and topped up. First by 1/2 litre and then took a reading, no change, then another 1/2 litre, no change and then added 1 litre, (again very stupid I know!) started car for 10 seconds, got the alarm max level, oil too high. I then switched the car off, phoned BMW assist for advise and then researched the internet. I am reluctant to get my car recovered and pay BMW £200+ (estimate by assist) to take 1 - 2 litres back out my car......thats if draining the oil is a simple task. I am interested to know if it is worth completly emptying the front sump and then measuring whats taken out or go straight from the main sump? Thanks for any advice given!!
Go to the dealer, they will not remove the excess they will drain and replace. Its worth the money to avoid destroying your engine which will cost a lot more that the tow and oil change ... just my 2 cents.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2013, 08:51 PM   #16
mdosu
Banned
No_Country
312
Rep
8,496
Posts

Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (6)

drain it from the sump. I would buy another bottle or two in case you drain too much, but you need at least about 1L to come out.


always always always only add 1/4 bottle at a time.
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2013, 12:14 AM   #17
HighandDry
Private First Class
7
Rep
108
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Personally, I probably would dump everything and start over.

However if you don't want to do that, just loosen the main sump. Let the oil drip out and then re-tighten once you got the 2 liters out. Don't let it out completely, you'll never be able to recap it once the oil starts gushing out.
Appreciate 0
      03-15-2013, 02:36 AM   #18
Scottsard32
New Member
5
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: E93 M3 EDC 2008
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hythe, Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Issue resolved

Thanks for the advice given for such a stupid error! Problem resolved, I replaced all oil and the filter using the DIY guide, remeasured with 4 bars.
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2013, 07:45 AM   #19
aussiem3
Colonel
aussiem3's Avatar
Australia
270
Rep
2,663
Posts

Drives: Goggomobil
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kangaroo land

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
I was recently told by BMW Australia, you can overfill up to a litre or two, and even with the on-board warning, should not harm the engine. The /// cars - 3, 5 and 6 - are having the problem of not registering the correct fill level, and dealers are topping up more than that's required. When the customer drives away, and after a few kms the warning comes on saying too high. So it's ok. Unless you added about 4 litres on top of your 8.8 litres.
__________________
F86 X6///
Appreciate 0
      04-13-2013, 12:22 PM   #20
meko
First Lieutenant
meko's Avatar
No_Country
177
Rep
387
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 - 535i Sport
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (3)

Interestingly I just learned from BMW that they will be changing the software so that the oil sensor range will be greater. It would allow the engine to be overfilled by 2 liters and still be at max. This is due to the high number of complaints from customers. Now that bothers me, but complaints mean bad PR which does not sit well with them. More importantly, will this cause long term issues with the engines. I guess they are not concerned about any engine damage even with 2 liter overfill.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-13-2013, 12:43 PM   #21
1MOREMOD
-
1MOREMOD's Avatar
United_States
11815
Rep
23,187
Posts

Drives: Race car->
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: check your mirrors

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by meko View Post
Interestingly I just learned from BMW that they will be changing the software so that the oil sensor range will be greater. It would allow the engine to be overfilled by 2 liters and still be at max. This is due to the high number of complaints from customers. Now that bothers me, but complaints mean bad PR which does not sit well with them. More importantly, will this cause long term issues with the engines. I guess they are not concerned about any engine damage even with 2 liter overfill.
that concerns me too. if they go from saying overfill can cause engine damage to a corporate change to preserve image allowing 2 liters over not to be an issue. its like the forever diff, coolant and tranny fluid. just a marketing position for increased customer satisfaction regarless of if its good for the car. i call bullshit.
__________________

02 Tiag e46 M3|6MT|GC plates|MCS c.o.|GC bars|GC race control arms|GC bushings|BW eng. & tran. mounts|subframe kit|BW race shifter|BW Jaffster|Euro header|BW exhaust|K&N c.a.i.|Epic race tune|Rouge pulleys|Seibon CF hood|CSL bumper|apr gt 250 & splitter|ST-40|XR-2|SS lines|half cage|Recaro profi|Profi 2 harness|BMWpedals|BW studs|
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2014, 08:42 AM   #22
S1RC
Enlisted Member
9
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

I'm in the same position. I bought my 2008 e92 M3 and the dealer appears to have overfilled the oil. I'm not getting any warnings, but the oil level in iDrive says it is too high. I'm going to drain the front sump see if that helps, going to be doing my own oil change soon anyway.

When you drain the front sump to remove some oil, do you have to replace the crush ring?
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:39 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST