Oil Level Sensor - PUMA Case

[nandiz]

Hi

As I've seen in the forums, the oil level sensor gives plenty of people trouble and it appears that replacements tend to do the trick. Unfortunately, I've had inaccurate oil level sensing over the past few months and here is a quick timeline of whats been going on:

-Oil level below minimum, please add 1 quart. Added half quart then got the oil level above maximum warning. Drained out a bit and was ok for a while.
-Similar situation again, had the shop look at it. Sensor replaced, new oil and things were fine for a bit.
-Fluctuations between oil level at minimum, below minimum, then at maximum with no input/draining of oil.
-Shop took a look again, found the new sensor to be faulty and replaced again.
-Same issue. Brought it back again, shop opened a PUMA case and as per PUMA rewired sensor, new wiring harness & even a new DME. Per tech notes, oil level was reading fine two days ago.

Drive for a bit last night and low oil level warning shows up.

So to recap: sensor replaced twice, wiring+harness rerun and a new DME. What else could possibly be leading to these odd readings?

Thank god this all got covered under a warranty somehow

[pbonsalb]

I thought most problems are right after an oil change? I experience that. Are others getting false low readings at other times?

[nandiz]

So as a follow up to this

Continued driving, different readings under different conditions.
-If the RPM is low (idle speed or very easy driving), the oil reads just below full.
-Hovering around ~2,000 RPM results in oil level at minimum warning.
-~3,000 RPM results in Oil level below minimum, add quart as soon as possible.

Any ideas why this would be? All of these different readings were observed during a single drive.

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by nandiz

So as a follow up to this

Continued driving, different readings under different conditions.
-If the RPM is low (idle speed or very easy driving), the oil reads just below full.
-Hovering around ~2,000 RPM results in oil level at minimum warning.
-~3,000 RPM results in Oil level below minimum, add quart as soon as possible.

Any ideas why this would be? All of these different readings were observed during a single drive.

The reading changes based on RPM only or in motion at those RPMs?

[nandiz]

Originally Posted by DRLane

The reading changes based on RPM only or in motion at those RPMs?

In motion at those RPMs from my experience. Lower/mid RPMs readings taken while driving around town, then higher RPM readings taken while on the highway. BMW tech said that they noticed it happened around 3,000 RPM during their checkouts, I’m not sure if that was while driving or if they had the car stationary.

Is there a reason why you ask if it was RPM only or in motion? I’m pretty much at a loss here so any bit of info helps

[DRLane]

Was just curious if oil was moving around in the oil pan vs sitting still.

Could still be a faulty sensor. Sometimes people go through a couple before solved.

Sorry man, wish I could be of more help

[nandiz]

Originally Posted by DRLane

Was just curious if oil was moving around in the oil pan vs sitting still.

Could still be a faulty sensor. Sometimes people go through a couple before solved.

Sorry man, wish I could be of more help

No worries! Maybe it could be, I have no idea at this point lol

[deansbimmer]

If the pan has been replaced or the windage tray damaged then it will affect the sensor readings. You'll never know by looking at the outside of the pan.

I've seen oil pans come off that look fine externally, but inside the windage tray had been damaged or removed altogether. Happens on pans that came from a blown engine where the rod blew up the internals. People with stripped pans buy them cheap unaware of the side effects. Worth a look through the oil sensor hole with a borescope.

[pb2707]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I’m also having similar issues where my oil level drops from full to minimum when I’m driving on the highway. Absolutely fine around town...

[Daniel_92m3]

Originally Posted by pb2707

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I’m also having similar issues where my oil level drops from full to minimum when I’m driving on the highway. Absolutely fine around town...

Same here, looking for solution as well.

Any news from anyone?