HELP!- Oil level too high causing trans malfunction?

Matt Fojtik · 07-16-2022, 12:22 PM

Hello all,

I recently was driving my e92 m3 (dct) and I got a "Oil Level too high" and "transmission malfunction: limited gear selections" warning, both of which at the same time.
It just got an oil change, and I think whoever changed it didn't know it was twin sump and only drained 1 sump, and put the amount of oil in for 2. I did not take it to my usual shop as I needed it done asap in an area where I'm not from.

My thoughts: I think as the oil heated up it expanded, it crossed the threshold for max oil level. This causes the sensor to sense that it was too high, and put the trans into limp mode in an attempt to keep the rpm's and therefore heat down to try and cool the oil and lower the volume. This is the best possible explanation I have with it and especially this because they came on at the EXACT same time. I put pics of warnings down below
Thank you all for your time and help. Have a nice rest of your day.

NiBe · 07-16-2022, 01:02 PM

I was always wondering what can happen if you put too much oil into engine. Hope that you car will be fine. I would definitely start with a proper oil change. Fingers crossed.

TractionControlDelete · 07-16-2022, 01:21 PM

Completely possible - this EXACT situation happened in my 1995 E34. Obviously it's a different platform but too much oil did push the car into limp mode which resulted the transmission program alert.

tdott · 07-16-2022, 01:31 PM

Take it back. Have them fix their mess.

You don't know if he only drained the front. If so it could be 7L+ over the max. Then yes that would cause issues.

But I doubt transmission related. That could be separate. But fix the obvious first, clear codes and try it.

deansbimmer · 07-16-2022, 05:02 PM

There is no limp mode for oil level being too high or low. The transmission malfunction notification is a separate concern.

Matt Fojtik · 07-16-2022, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

There is no limp mode for oil level being too high or low. The transmission malfunction notification is a separate concern.

I do remember they also replaced the transmission pan gasket too but that was quite a few miles back. I think too far to just be showing it now. Maybe I just have the worst luck imaginable. I will be taking it to Munich motors to have them help figure it out.
Thanks for the help

amrazM · 07-18-2022, 05:43 AM

theres def a seperate error going on with the gearbox. there isnt any correlation between the engine oil being too high and the gearbox.

brettcp · 07-18-2022, 12:05 PM

When I bought my '12 E93 M3 (in 2018 I believe it was), I'd get the engine oil level too high message occasionally, even though I knew it wasn't (I did an oil change myself the day after I bought the car). The car was on its initial factory software version, so I ended up doing a full i-step level update to bring the car's software up to date which resolved this.

07-16-2022, 12:22 PM	#1
Matt Fojtik Banned 133 Rep 207 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 E92 M3 [9.00]	HELP!- Oil level too high causing trans malfunction? Hello all, I recently was driving my e92 m3 (dct) and I got a "Oil Level too high" and "transmission malfunction: limited gear selections" warning, both of which at the same time. It just got an oil change, and I think whoever changed it didn't know it was twin sump and only drained 1 sump, and put the amount of oil in for 2. I did not take it to my usual shop as I needed it done asap in an area where I'm not from. My thoughts: I think as the oil heated up it expanded, it crossed the threshold for max oil level. This causes the sensor to sense that it was too high, and put the trans into limp mode in an attempt to keep the rpm's and therefore heat down to try and cool the oil and lower the volume. This is the best possible explanation I have with it and especially this because they came on at the EXACT same time. I put pics of warnings down below Thank you all for your time and help. Have a nice rest of your day. Attached Images
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07-16-2022, 01:02 PM	#2
NiBe First Lieutenant 453 Rep 365 Posts Drives: BMW E91 & E92 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	I was always wondering what can happen if you put too much oil into engine. Hope that you car will be fine. I would definitely start with a proper oil change. Fingers crossed.
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07-16-2022, 01:21 PM	#3
TractionControlDelete Lieutenant Colonel 4587 Rep 1,693 Posts Drives: F82-E92 M3-E46 M3-E30-S1K-330i Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2004 X5 [9.00] 2006 325i [10.00] 2021 S1000RR [9.50] 2006 330i [7.75] 1986 325e [10.00] 2005 M3 [7.40] 2009 M3 [8.63] 2018 M4 [10.00]	Completely possible - this EXACT situation happened in my 1995 E34. Obviously it's a different platform but too much oil did push the car into limp mode which resulted the transmission program alert. __________________ DSC, you say? Never heard of it https://youtube.com/@tractioncontroldelete
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07-16-2022, 01:31 PM	#4
tdott Brigadier General 3938 Rep 3,980 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South FL / 6ix iTrader: (4)	Take it back. Have them fix their mess. You don't know if he only drained the front. If so it could be 7L+ over the max. Then yes that would cause issues. But I doubt transmission related. That could be separate. But fix the obvious first, clear codes and try it.
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07-16-2022, 05:02 PM	#5
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3749 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	There is no limp mode for oil level being too high or low. The transmission malfunction notification is a separate concern.
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07-18-2022, 05:43 AM	#7
amrazM mTekMods 2132 Rep 2,893 Posts Drives: like a granny. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manhatan iTrader: (1)	theres def a seperate error going on with the gearbox. there isnt any correlation between the engine oil being too high and the gearbox. __________________ 2011 Frozen Black/Fox Red E90 M3 650+WHP G-Power Supercharged First DCT to Manual Conversion Worldwide KW CS, BBS RI-A, BW Headers, Snow 2.5
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07-18-2022, 12:05 PM	#8
brettcp Captain 348 Rep 702 Posts Drives: 2012 E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: So Cal iTrader: (2)	When I bought my '12 E93 M3 (in 2018 I believe it was), I'd get the engine oil level too high message occasionally, even though I knew it wasn't (I did an oil change myself the day after I bought the car). The car was on its initial factory software version, so I ended up doing a full i-step level update to bring the car's software up to date which resolved this.
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