problem with oil dipstick? Can it b?

gthirtyfizle · 10-10-2008, 02:20 PM

have 5500 miles on the car and decided to get a midway oil change being that 8000 or 10000 is a long way to go and I was just above the minimum line. So instead of waiting for the computer to tell me to add a quart I just did a full oil change being that this car is bought at my own expense of $180. Problem is dipstick is still showing the same amount of oil which is one notch above the ok line. I have driven the car for more then an hour, turned it off on everything. What can it b? Can it b that they didn't do the oil change? Tia

batchelorc · 10-10-2008, 03:06 PM

What dipstick are you talking about

gthirtyfizle · 10-10-2008, 03:27 PM

The one thats electronic....

daltonnnn · 10-10-2008, 05:46 PM

I guess if the "dipstick" says its low, then it is. Too bad we'll never be able to physically check it ourselves.

gthirtyfizle · 10-10-2008, 05:53 PM

Yeah I know ^^^. Id be really pissed tho if these guys didnt change my oil. I mean, why else would it still be low?

Lil. Lucas · 10-10-2008, 08:26 PM

They may of added the same amount of oil back in as they took out in a measure not to overfill...

sayemthree · 10-11-2008, 01:22 AM

too low is better than a quart too high (drain and refill) ;(

midlifecrisis · 10-11-2008, 06:15 AM

I've had two oil changes, and each time the level read almost a quart down after the change. The second time, I was told that the tech had some trouble figuring out how much to fill. BMW lists the capacity as 9 quarts, and I was only charged for 8, so I guess it's OK. I always carry a quart of "liquid gold" in the car, anyway. Each time I've had to add a quart within a week of the oil change. After that, the level doesn't move at all until the next change. It doesn't seem to burn any oil.

I've heard that you have to be careful not to overfill with the electronic readout, so I guess the techs are being careful - probably better than overfilling.

I'd like to suggest that BMW research a new high tech device for checking oil level - I envision a hollow tube leading to the oil pan. In the tube they could have a metal or metal/plastic rod with a pull handle on one end and graduated marks on the other end. These marks would indicate the oil level. You could pull out the rod, clean it off, stick it down the tube, pull it out again, and read how close to full you are. It would have some side benefits, as well. You could actually view the condition of the oil in your engine. Now that's engineering!

PortoM3 · 10-11-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthirtyfizle

have 5500 miles on the car and decided to get a midway oil change being that 8000 or 10000 is a long way to go and I was just above the minimum line. So instead of waiting for the computer to tell me to add a quart I just did a full oil change being that this car is bought at my own expense of $180. Problem is dipstick is still showing the same amount of oil which is one notch above the ok line. I have driven the car for more then an hour, turned it off on everything. What can it b? Can it b that they didn't do the oil change? Tia

why not go back to the place where you had it changed at, or at least call them. They would be better at helping you with this problem than the rest of us here. I would be worried too, and I wouldn't want anyone giving me the wrong advice.

Race_Doc11 · 10-11-2008, 12:18 PM

I will not be surprised if the dealer put a quart less!!! I had it once and since then I check the oil myself before leaving the service parking lot. I even had one dealer not tighten my log nut at all...Yes they do such things to make more money

gthirtyfizle · 10-11-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PortoM3

why not go back to the place where you had it changed at, or at least call them. They would be better at helping you with this problem than the rest of us here. I would be worried too, and I wouldn't want anyone giving me the wrong advice.

Oh, sorry for not clearing that up. As soon as I left drove for about half an hour, since thats how long it takes the comp to adjust itself and I gave them a call when I saw it wasnt goin anywhere. I went back this morning, the tech came outside right away and checked it out. Apparently, anytime the level is between the 2 arrowns its considered fine (just like it says ok) and its cool to not be to the top. But the oil was drained and changed. But he said he would put half a quart more if I wanted. I asked him too since I know these cars burn oil. Got cool with him and he ended up giving me one and a half quart free. 30 minutes later the level was perfect.

BTW. he told me its better to not chnage the oil in these cars till maintenance is due, since this oil is soo good that the longer its in, the better for the car. Of course till maintenace is due. And he said its 15000 miles for the oil change. Is that correct?

Lil. Lucas · 10-12-2008, 06:57 AM

LMAO @ him telling you its better for the engine to change the oil less often..

gthirtyfizle · 10-12-2008, 10:36 PM

^^^ yup, was telling me its good for this oil to get broken into lol.

10-10-2008, 02:20 PM	#1
gthirtyfizle Colonel 191 Rep 2,867 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	problem with oil dipstick? Can it b? have 5500 miles on the car and decided to get a midway oil change being that 8000 or 10000 is a long way to go and I was just above the minimum line. So instead of waiting for the computer to tell me to add a quart I just did a full oil change being that this car is bought at my own expense of $180. Problem is dipstick is still showing the same amount of oil which is one notch above the ok line. I have driven the car for more then an hour, turned it off on everything. What can it b? Can it b that they didn't do the oil change? Tia
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10-10-2008, 03:06 PM	#2
batchelorc Captain 52 Rep 607 Posts Drives: Deez nuts Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0)	What dipstick are you talking about
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10-10-2008, 03:27 PM	#3
gthirtyfizle Colonel 191 Rep 2,867 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	The one thats electronic....
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10-10-2008, 05:46 PM	#4
daltonnnn Driver 17 Rep 505 Posts Drives: F80 M3, MSM, Clubman S Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	I guess if the "dipstick" says its low, then it is. Too bad we'll never be able to physically check it ourselves. __________________ Go Navy! Go SF 49ers!!! Go SF Giants!!! Go Warriors!!!!!
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10-10-2008, 05:53 PM	#5
gthirtyfizle Colonel 191 Rep 2,867 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	Yeah I know ^^^. Id be really pissed tho if these guys didnt change my oil. I mean, why else would it still be low?
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10-10-2008, 08:26 PM	#6
Lil. Lucas Interlagos FTW! 2 Rep 167 Posts Drives: 86 E30 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	They may of added the same amount of oil back in as they took out in a measure not to overfill...
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10-11-2008, 01:22 AM	#7
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	too low is better than a quart too high (drain and refill) ;( __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
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10-11-2008, 06:15 AM	#8
midlifecrisis Major 807 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 35d, 2019 230i X Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I've had two oil changes, and each time the level read almost a quart down after the change. The second time, I was told that the tech had some trouble figuring out how much to fill. BMW lists the capacity as 9 quarts, and I was only charged for 8, so I guess it's OK. I always carry a quart of "liquid gold" in the car, anyway. Each time I've had to add a quart within a week of the oil change. After that, the level doesn't move at all until the next change. It doesn't seem to burn any oil. I've heard that you have to be careful not to overfill with the electronic readout, so I guess the techs are being careful - probably better than overfilling. I'd like to suggest that BMW research a new high tech device for checking oil level - I envision a hollow tube leading to the oil pan. In the tube they could have a metal or metal/plastic rod with a pull handle on one end and graduated marks on the other end. These marks would indicate the oil level. You could pull out the rod, clean it off, stick it down the tube, pull it out again, and read how close to full you are. It would have some side benefits, as well. You could actually view the condition of the oil in your engine. Now that's engineering!
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10-11-2008, 12:18 PM	#10
Race_Doc11 Lieutenant Colonel 460 Rep 1,633 Posts Drives: 2023 G82 M4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2023 BMW G82 M4 [0.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 Audi RS5 (Sold) [10.00] 2008 E93 M3 (Sold) [10.00]	I will not be surprised if the dealer put a quart less!!! I had it once and since then I check the oil myself before leaving the service parking lot. I even had one dealer not tighten my log nut at all...Yes they do such things to make more money
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10-12-2008, 06:57 AM	#12
Lil. Lucas Interlagos FTW! 2 Rep 167 Posts Drives: 86 E30 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	LMAO @ him telling you its better for the engine to change the oil less often..
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10-12-2008, 10:36 PM	#13
gthirtyfizle Colonel 191 Rep 2,867 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	^^^ yup, was telling me its good for this oil to get broken into lol.
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