Oil Level Funkiness

[bimdo]

About 2000 miles after an oil change,the add 1 qt. message came on. I check it pretty regularly,and had seen it full after the change,and gradually going down over time.I added 1/2 qt. which the mechanic had given me,left over from the oil change. Three days and very few miles later,the add 1 qt. message came on again right before i got home,so i decided to wait until the next day and not add any more.Today the add 1 qt. warning is gone,and the oil reads full on the electronic "dipstick" (using the term loosely since i ,like many others,would much prefer the real thing.)

Any suggestions,anyone else encounter this?

[dparm]

Are you checking it and topping it off consistently each time? That is, are you doing it under the same conditions? (i.e. after the same type of drive, level surface, engine at the right temp, etc)

Is this the first time you've seen it consume that quantity of oil that fast? Did you check for leaks under the car/bellypan?

[bimdo]

i have not checked it under consistent conditions. i have had to add a quart after 2500 miles before.

[thekurgan]

I had this happen recently, the indicator showing low, then the next day, full, back and forth for a couple of weeks. Changing out the oil sensor solved the issue, and the oil was 2 ticks below max and it hasn't moved since, so I would have overfilled if I heeded the first warning to add a quart.

[Dannys M3]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

I had this happen recently, the indicator showing low, then the next day, full, back and forth for a couple of weeks. Changing out the oil sensor solved the issue, and the oil was 2 ticks below max and it hasn't moved since, so I would have overfilled if I heeded the first warning to add a quart.

Did you change it out or did you have it done? Just curious how difficult this is.

[thekurgan]

It's simple. I ordered the gasket, but the actual sensor kit came with a new gasket anyway. #6 here, it's just at the bottom of the pan. Note: looks like a new part after 8/10, who knows why.

[S65 Underdog]

Best of luck with this OP and thanks for the post. I was wondering what the sensor on the bottom of my pan was. Seems like a easy replace when doing your next oil change.