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      12-12-2018, 08:08 AM   #1
kyrix1st
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Considerable oil burst from cap: overfill?

I did an oil change today with 9qts of Redline 10w60&0w40 (7:2 mix).

This time I changed the filter but did not drain from it (only from the main sump) because I thought i would be low on oil. Now the car bursts oil from the oil cap like it needs bleeding Did I overfill too much?

Oil level onboard shows ever so slightly above the full mark, but I didn't know it would be this bad...
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      12-12-2018, 11:40 AM   #2
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The oil cap probably needs to be replaced. The M3 has a known problem with leaking oil from the oil cap. I usually replace the cap every 2-3 years.
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      12-12-2018, 02:42 PM   #3
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This ^
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      12-13-2018, 09:30 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3Post View Post
Did you drain from both sump drain plugs or only one of them?
I left the front one alone and just drained from the main sump. It should add up nicely but apparently slight overfill.

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Originally Posted by Z K View Post
The oil cap probably needs to be replaced. The M3 has a known problem with leaking oil from the oil cap. I usually replace the cap every 2-3 years.
Yeah.. it did leak before but went away after I momentarily changed to OEM 10w-60 after RB job. Guess caps are more prone to seeping with ester oils.
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      12-13-2018, 09:40 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyrix1st View Post
I left the front one alone and just drained from the main sump. It should add up nicely but apparently slight overfill.



Yeah.. it did leak before but went away after I momentarily changed to OEM 10w-60 after RB job. Guess caps are more prone to seeping with ester oils.
Only draining the main sump and adding 9 quarts is definitely going to overfill the engine.


Why wouldn't you drain both?
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      12-13-2018, 11:32 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyrix1st View Post
Yeah.. it did leak before but went away after I momentarily changed to OEM 10w-60 after RB job. Guess caps are more prone to seeping with ester oils.
If it is really gushing, you may want to check under the cap and make sure the rubber gasket is not twisted up and not sealing correctly. I had that happen with my oil cap too. I lost 1/2 a liter of oil in 500 miles.

Oil seeping is normal though with older oil caps. Just replace the cap and it'll be fine.
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      12-13-2018, 12:08 PM   #7
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oil under the valvecover is just being flung around by all the moving parts under there, it's not pressurized at the oil cap. Overfill won't cause this unless you put a few extra gallons in
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      12-13-2018, 12:33 PM   #8
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Why in the hell would you be so careful to use two different oil weights but leave a quart or two of old oil in your car by not draining the front sump?
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      12-13-2018, 12:51 PM   #9
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definitely gotta drain both sumps on the oil pan....
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      12-13-2018, 01:07 PM   #10
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I have a sensitive valve cover, in that if one only turns the cap, one of the times on the cap won't engage with the valve cover. When this happens there can be considerable leakage. If one presses down while turning both times engage and there is no leakage.

This has occurred with both old and new caps. Every time I have to open the cap, I check after a drive to make sure it isn't leaking.
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      12-13-2018, 03:25 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3Post View Post
Info about the correct oil cap to fix the issue is given at the link below:

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=23543457

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It looks like the stock e46 M3 oil cap?
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      12-14-2018, 03:15 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roastbeef View Post
Why in the hell would you be so careful to use two different oil weights but leave a quart or two of old oil in your car by not draining the front sump?
I thought I wouldn't have enough oil if I drained from both
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      12-19-2018, 12:45 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by kyrix1st View Post
Yeah.. it did leak before but went away after I momentarily changed to OEM 10w-60 after RB job. Guess caps are more prone to seeping with ester oils.
If it is really gushing, you may want to check under the cap and make sure the rubber gasket is not twisted up and not sealing correctly. I had that happen with my oil cap too. I lost 1/2 a liter of oil in 500 miles.

Oil seeping is normal though with older oil caps. Just replace the cap and it'll be fine.
That oil gasket built into the cap is nothing more than wishful thinking. It facilitates nothing to it's implied nature! Consider our oil cap a lazy gesture and nothing more. What a joke! Maybe if our valve cover had a properly machined surface that the rubber would be pinched to make a seal and THEN oil would not fly off the cam chains and find its way out.
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      12-19-2018, 01:20 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyrix1st View Post
I thought I wouldn't have enough oil if I drained from both
That's why we have DIY threads. At least you know for next time to follow the correct procedure. Though I think no one actually lets their car sit and drain for the full hour.
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      12-19-2018, 10:51 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ItsGary View Post
That's why we have DIY threads. At least you know for next time to follow the correct procedure. Though I think no one actually lets their car sit and drain for the full hour.
I do, the hour is a good time to give the car and suspension a good visual inspection.
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      12-19-2018, 02:33 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3Post View Post
Info about the correct oil cap to fix the issue is given at the link below:

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=23543457

_
I just bought four of these

Thank you for the link!!
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      12-19-2018, 02:47 PM   #17
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My valve cover where the cap goes on has the paint chipped. I think it is part of the reason mine is seeping oil - because the seal with the cap is not tight with the uneven mating surface. I don't really see a solution to this without replacing the valve cover.
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      12-20-2018, 08:08 AM   #18
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Update: No longer leaks after changing to E46 M3 oil cap. Good info!
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      01-08-2019, 08:59 PM   #19
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Yup, I also switched to the E46 M3 oil cap Glad to hear it worked out for you!
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