Engine oil level too high - Max Warning

[Petros]

of course all of this brouhaha could have been avoided if BMW put a fuckin dipstick in the first place

[kwality]

Originally Posted by S1RC

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?

You do not have to replace the ring. Just check for leaks afterwards.

I had the same issue and had to drain it twice to get below max.

Just make sure the car has cooled down before you start. I waited an hour. It was still warm but not scalding.

Good luck.

[S1RC]

I've drained the front sump twice and it's still showing too high.

Do I have to reset anything after each drain?

[tinman831]

Originally Posted by S1RC

I've drained the front sump twice and it's still showing too high.

Do I have to reset anything after each drain?

How much oil did you add during the last oil change?

[kwality]

I would keep draining it until you are in the OK range. You will probably notice less oil coming out each time. At least that's what happened to me. I was a quart and change over.

After which, keep monitoring. I have been checking it everyday to see if I had to top off. So far this week, still good.

[S1RC]

Originally Posted by tinman831

How much oil did you add during the last oil change?

I didn't do an oil change, this is how it came from the dealer.

I ended up draining the front sump 4 times, oil level now shows about 75% of max so that's good. Just wish I had caught this sooner before I've driven around 1000km.

Thanks for the help!

I wonder if the excess oil had something to do with the leaking valve cover gasket which I'm getting replaced.

[fbm3cab]

How do you drain the front sump?

Does anyone know if there is a thread on this?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by fbm3cab

How do you drain the front sump?

Does anyone know if there is a thread on this?

Mmmmmm.....Quick search....>The DIY !...so here you go >http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...diy+oil+change

[fbm3cab]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Mmmmmm.....Quick search....>The DIY !...so here you go >http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...diy+oil+change

Thanks Power-Belgium I did find that but didn't read the whole 11 plus pages of threads. It was obvious once I crawled under the car, the drain plug is easily accessable, there was two holes in the metal cover plate that provides access to both the front a main drain plugs.

I just wish the dam thing had a dip stick.

[robbiebaguio]

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but I just picked up a 2011 E92 M3 today. Did a pre purchase inspection and it checked out well with everything. BMW specialist told me I just need a new set of front tires and that the valve gasket cover is leaking a little bit but it is expected of a 60k mileage car.

Now, when I got home and was messing around the vehicle Idrive, I found out in the vehicle status that the Engine level is too high. I drove the car from the previous owner to my house which is about 60 miles away.

Called the seller right away and he told me not to worry about it because that is a common issue for the M3 where the system does not precisely read the oil level. He said he always puts 8 quarts of oil in it.

After reading the whole thread, some people said that it is indeed true that the oil level can be misread by the system and it is normal. What I am worried about is if thats the case, then maybe when the oil level is too low and the system reads it still normal, that would be unhealthy for the engine. Ive read around the forums too that the S65 requires constant top off because it drains oil every now and then. I cannot operate on something like this on a car. Its like being blind and guessing the oil level all the time.

Can anyone enlighten me on this? I am slightly anxious and wish this car had a dipstick. Thanks!

[JFB]

It is true that the electronic dipstick is way inaccurate. As you drive your car and check oil level you'll see it may be rock steady and it may jump around a little from drive to drive. So....

You may want to drive it a little bit and see if the level returns to normal. But... If you are worried and want to action right away,

You have a few options...

You could open up the oil filter housing and use a turkey badger to remove excess oil in there. There is about 300ml of oil in there after you shut off the engine. So you could empty that, go for a drive and see if you need to empty again or if you're good....

Remember the car usually only indicates a change in oil level when the quantity changes by 500ml or more....

You could also drain the front oil pan from under the car. From what I gather, (others please correct me) there is approx. 1 litre of oil that drains from there.

Third option is, of course, full oil change. That way you know EXACTLY how much oil is in there...

Make sure, before you go on your test drive, you have some oil in the trunk.... If your car tells you to add, just add 500ml and reset the sensor. Keep doing this until you get the level you like. Anywhere between the low and high mark is perfect.

[Helmsman]

Robbie, I'd go with JFBs last option and change oil. Its what you want to do anyhow buying a used car (privately?). Also you want to change engine oil much more often than BMWs 15k miles recommendation anyhow so might as well start with fresh.

Finally, the Carly diagnostic app provide you with a bit more info than the OBC, also gives you a level read immediatey after engine start rather than waiting for the bloody meter to eventually wake up.

Good luck

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Robbie, I'd go with JFBs last option and change oil. Its what you want to do anyhow buying a used car (privately?). Also you want to change engine oil much more often than BMWs 15k miles recommendation anyhow so might as well start with fresh.

Finally, the Carly diagnostic app provide you with a bit more info than the OBC, also gives you a level read immediatey after engine start rather than waiting for the bloody meter to eventually wake up.

Good luck

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