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      02-16-2019, 05:48 PM   #1
BayE30
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Another oil level thread....Stays on "add 1 qt"

I know, i searched and didnt find an exact scenario... my issue goes like this:

Drained old oil, let it sit for couple hours while i did other things. Also sucked all old oil from filter housing. Added 9qt as usual, went for a good hour drive, oil level would not read. Started up car a dozen times over the course of an outing, still no oil level reading.

A week later i drive the car again, and now it says add 1 quart. I figure since i let it drain so long and sucked all the oil from filter housing maybe it needs another quart. So i add 1 qt and call it a day.

Now 2 weeks later i am driving the car again(yes my m3 is garage queen) and its telling me oil level at minimum...so at this point there is 10qt of oil in there. I have driven the car on the freeway for 100miles, still saying oil level minimum.

Did my sensor go bad? Theres no puddles of oil on the ground or anything, so rhe while 10qt are still in there. Stupid oil level sensor BS, any insight?
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      02-17-2019, 05:15 AM   #2
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Have you reset the sensor? After the car is warm, and in the oil level mode, hold the button on the stalk until a clock symbol comes up. It takes a few minutes to refresh. Also should be done on level surface.
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      02-17-2019, 09:52 AM   #3
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When changing rb i.e. complete drain I put in 9.5 liter to reach Max level. Normally this takes 9 ish liter. 10 quarts def sounds too much mate, Id suck at least half liter out of the oil filter cap.
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      02-17-2019, 09:27 PM   #4
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Have reset the oil reading a dozen times. Still days "add 1 qt". I mean removing half a quart is not hard, but the real issue is even with 10qt im still getting a low oil reading. When the sensors go bad do they read innaccurate, or not at all?
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      02-17-2019, 10:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFCM3 View Post
Have reset the oil reading a dozen times. Still days "add 1 qt". I mean removing half a quart is not hard, but the real issue is even with 10qt im still getting a low oil reading. When the sensors go bad do they read innaccurate, or not at all?
It's excessive, did you measure how much came out? It's a good practice with these cars.
I have no idea how to change the oil level sensor but if it continues you gotta to avoid crank damage..

Or remove it and clean it.. they're $160 might be worth a shot
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      02-18-2019, 11:04 AM   #6
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Ive had scenarios where I was down a notch from full, added literally 4 ounces and then it said I was overfilled. I left it overfilled knowing all the risks as I like to live dangerously, 1000 miles later it reads max.
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      02-18-2019, 11:26 AM   #7
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Drove the car again today, took about 15min to read oil level. And says "engine oil level at minimum! Please add 1 quart". This sucks. I hate these sensors.
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      02-18-2019, 11:52 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFCM3 View Post
Drove the car again today, took about 15min to read oil level. And says "engine oil level at minimum! Please add 1 quart". This sucks. I hate these sensors.
I'm in the same boat right now. I was at the minimum level, added half a liter. 2 weeks later it still reads minimum level. I bought a new sensor just in case and will replace next oil change. I hate not having a dip stick.
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      02-19-2019, 03:25 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFCM3 View Post


Did my sensor go bad? Stupid oil level sensor BS,
YES. Mfg Part # 12617607910
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      02-20-2019, 05:53 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFCM3 View Post
I know, i searched and didnt find an exact scenario... my issue goes like this:

Drained old oil, let it sit for couple hours while i did other things. Also sucked all old oil from filter housing. Added 9qt as usual, went for a good hour drive, oil level would not read. Started up car a dozen times over the course of an outing, still no oil level reading.

A week later i drive the car again, and now it says add 1 quart. I figure since i let it drain so long and sucked all the oil from filter housing maybe it needs another quart. So i add 1 qt and call it a day.

Now 2 weeks later i am driving the car again(yes my m3 is garage queen) and its telling me oil level at minimum...so at this point there is 10qt of oil in there. I have driven the car on the freeway for 100miles, still saying oil level minimum.

Did my sensor go bad? Theres no puddles of oil on the ground or anything, so rhe while 10qt are still in there. Stupid oil level sensor BS, any insight?
Mine went bad a few years ago and my symptoms were erratic readings. One day i would be full, the next maybe down half a quart, then maybe down a full quart. Towards the end these readings could change during the course of my commute. Got to be quite irritating.

The sensor is easily changed, but make sure you have a clean drain pan available because the hole for the sensor is so large that there is no way you'll swap it out without again draining all the oil.
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      02-20-2019, 03:48 PM   #11
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Initially, did you actually 9 quarts or was is 9 liters? With 9 quarts, you're almost half a liter short of the capacity. 9.2 liters is what will get you to the max fill line.

BMW/Shell, Castrol, Liqui Moly, Rowe, Motul, etc should be in 1 (or 5) liter bottles. If you used something like Red Line oil, that would be in 1 US quart bottles. If you have 10 liters in there and it's asking to add more oil, change that oil level sensor.
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