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      09-29-2009, 07:55 AM   #1
nitramsen
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Oil Messure goes back to Full without adding oil

Over the last year the oil level dropped first to the ¾ and then to the ½ mark on my car (app. 10000 KM) which I consider pretty normal consumption on a new M3. It has been at the ½ mark the last three months (App 2000km), but then all of the sudden yesterday the Oil Level was reported as Full in both the Idrive and the Board computer. I have done a reset of the measurement (Held the b button down) but the measurement came back full again.

And NO, I did not add any oil……

I checked the oil as good a possible through the Oil filling hole and it does not seem to contain water.

I talked to the dealer and they think it is normal but have anyone else experienced that the Oil level changes from 1/2 Mark(Been standing there for about 2000km) to Full without adding Oil?
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      09-29-2009, 09:00 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitramsen View Post
I talked to the dealer and they think it is normal but have anyone else experienced that the Oil level changes from 1/2 Mark(Been standing there for about 2000km) to Full without adding Oil?
How can they explain that as being "normal"? I know the oil is all fancified and expensive and stuff, but it's not regenerative is it????
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      09-29-2009, 10:15 AM   #3
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After the oil change at 25000km (they fully filled it up and measured how much they put in) it showed only half full. As it didn't change after some more driving, they checked with BMW. BMW said the oil sensor is probably broken and will be replaced when I bring in the car the next time.
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      09-29-2009, 06:00 PM   #4
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Do a search on how the sensor works. I bet you NEVER measured oil level in your garage at idle when fully hot. If you just let the sensor get the measurement whenever it wants (about 10 miles into your drive), it'll never be consistent.
You need to perform an oil level check every so often (on the SAME spot) to monitor oil consumption. Take care.

Last edited by JCtx; 09-29-2009 at 06:16 PM..
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      09-29-2009, 08:08 PM   #5
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Exactly what happened to me. Dealer said sensor was OK.
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      09-29-2009, 09:34 PM   #6
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Double-check with the dipstick. Oh, that's right there are none.
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      09-29-2009, 09:46 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmeloche View Post
Double-check with the dipstick. Oh, that's right there are none.
i topped off when idrive telling me add one liter (actually the stealer did this)...then idrive and dash reading for about 1 month was 1.2 L....then one day it warns me on an overfill....reading 1.4L....i ignore it...2 days later it read 1.0...
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      09-29-2009, 10:06 PM   #8
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Oil sensor

It's a really good system that teaches you not to trust it. So, what good is it? I may not get the next M3 if it doesn't have a dipstick.
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      09-30-2009, 01:00 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ideliver View Post
i topped off when idrive telling me add one liter (actually the stealer did this)...then idrive and dash reading for about 1 month was 1.2 L....then one day it warns me on an overfill....reading 1.4L....i ignore it...2 days later it read 1.0...
Yeah, the same thing happened to me when I got the car initially. It went from full to half within 50kms. I returned to the dealer to have it topped off and it read overfill after a day. They drained the oil and refilled it and it read full for a week and then 3/4 until my 2000kms inspection. Since then, it reads 3/4 and I gave up.
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      09-30-2009, 01:01 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
It's a really good system that teaches you not to trust it. So, what good is it? I may not get the next M3 if it doesn't have a dipstick.
It won't. The dipstick is going the way of the Dodo.
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      09-30-2009, 01:22 PM   #11
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After I scrutinized the bottom of the engine, it became evident to me a dipstick is not as easy as some think. The large sump, where the sensor is located, is at the REAR of the engine, which sits pretty far behind the engine compartment. There seems to be hardly any space to snake a tube to the top (right side, since on left is the airbox) without hitting something during engine installation .

Just a guess, but take a better look and talk me down if needed . But yes, even though I know how to use the sensor reliably, it still SUCKS .
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      10-01-2009, 04:46 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elp_jc View Post
Do a search on how the sensor works. I bet you NEVER measured oil level in your garage at idle when fully hot. If you just let the sensor get the measurement whenever it wants (about 10 miles into your drive), it'll never be consistent.
You need to perform an oil level check every so often (on the SAME spot) to monitor oil consumption. Take care.
I tried that also (Measured standing in my garage) and same thing (normally 1/2 mark but this time 1/1).

By the way the sensor does not output the level before the oil it is hot (app 95C) and if it is nessesary for the car to be completely leveled it should not be possible to check the level in any other spot.

It has been every consistence on 1/2 mark for 3 months driving on different roads ranging from flat highway to mountain roads until the day it went to full (Actually after a long highway drive).

As of today while driving to work the Oil level is back to the 1/2 mark after 3-4 days on full.
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      10-01-2009, 10:22 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitramsen View Post
By the way the sensor does not output the level before the oil it is hot (app 95C)
Of course. That's the root cause of the 'problem' (getting different readings). And yes, engine needs to be FULLY hot for accurate readings, especially if invoking a 'reset'.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nitramsen View Post
and if it is nessesary for the car to be completely leveled it should not be possible to check the level in any other spot.
You can check the level in a ditch if you want, but it SHOULD be checked level (same spot) for accuracy (and consistency).

Quote:
Originally Posted by nitramsen View Post
It has been every consistence on 1/2 mark for 3 months driving on different roads ranging from flat highway to mountain roads until the day it went to full (Actually after a long highway drive).
You shouldn't pay attention to oil level if not done at your usual spot, engine idling, and fully hot.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nitramsen View Post
As of today while driving to work the Oil level is back to the 1/2 mark after 3-4 days on full.
Again, check level ONLY at your usual spot from now on, and you should get consistent readings. It's like checking your tire pressures when hot: yes, you're going to get a reading, but will be wrong and inconsistent. The correct procedure is to do it when COLD. Take care.
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      10-01-2009, 01:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elp_jc View Post
You can check the level in a ditch if you want, but it SHOULD be checked level (same spot) for accuracy (and consistency).

You shouldn't pay attention to oil level if not done at your usual spot, engine idling, and fully hot.

Again, check level ONLY at your usual spot from now on,
You've stated repeatedly (like the manual does) that if must be a "usual" spot, but at the same time emphasized level is the key. I don't car if it's on a mountaintop, as long as it's level the reading should be consistent.

And therein lied the problem - people have posted here that they can't get a consistent reading, even when level. Just because some have been able to doesn't mean everyone who can't is an idiot.
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      10-07-2009, 07:54 PM   #15
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i had an oil change today (voluntary) and the oil sensor indicated overfilled. the dealer is saying the sensors have been known to go bad. they took some oil out however the sensor remained the same. anybody else have this problem?
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      10-07-2009, 10:12 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobbyd1961 View Post
i had an oil change today (voluntary) and the oil sensor indicated overfilled. the dealer is saying the sensors have been known to go bad. they took some oil out however the sensor remained the same. anybody else have this problem?
Yep. Not too easy to overfill if you completely drain both sumps and filter and measure the refill. Thestupid electronic sensor sometimes take a couple drives to settle down.
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      10-08-2009, 05:40 AM   #17
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the dealer says exactly that. they drained both reservoirs and added the proper oil. they said they have to recalibrate the sensor and replace today if necessary. but to lose the car for 2 days for an oil change totally sucks
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      10-08-2009, 01:24 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Georgeair View Post
Just because some have been able to doesn't mean everyone who can't is an idiot.
Chill out man. I never said or implied you or anybody else was an idiot, so speak for yourself. And yes, you should check your oil level at the SAME spot, since a surface might look level to you but it's not, and with an electronic sensor, it matters.

If you don't want to take my advice, fine, but just because you were having a bad day don't tell me I'm calling anybody an idiot when I'm not. Have a good life (ignored).
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