How much oil do you drain on an oil change

[reisf]

Hey guys,

I just have a simple question: on a 5000 km service interval with some fairly spirited driving how much oil would you expect to drain out of the car?

Only asking because twice now i've only drained about 5.2/5.3 litres when the engine oil sensor is still showing full. Is this normal? Or is my oil level sensor not working as it should. I've scanned the car with ISTA and there are no faults anywhere.

As i understand it the amount of oil required for an oil change is 6.5 litres, however the sump can take 7 litres, which is what was added on the last service. So that means almost 2 litres of oil is being burnt within 5000 kms. Does that sound right?

Just getting worried that the engine does not have as much oil as it needs...

Btw i have a 2011 n55 dct

[dojk]

You won't be able to drain out all the oil in the engine. As you already know, there will be residuals left behind. As long as you fill to what the indicator tells you, you'll be fine.

But of course, if you fill 3 liters and it says it is at MAX, then you know something isn't right.

For me I fill 6 quarts and that gives me the MAX indicator which I am happy with.

[reisf]

Originally Posted by dojk

You won't be able to drain out all the oil in the engine. As you already know, there will be residuals left behind. As long as you fill to what the indicator tells you, you'll be fine.

But of course, if you fill 3 liters and it says it is at MAX, then you know something isn't right.

For me I fill 6 quarts and that gives me the MAX indicator which I am happy with.

Oh ok thats good to know 6 quarts = 5.8 litres and you get max indication as well

[NorthernDancer]

I think there is something wrong here. Engine holds 6.5L. If you drained out only 5.2/5.3L you should have been getting the "Min" level reading accompanied by the +1 indicating to add 1L. When the oil level sensor goes bad, it will show "Inactive". So, from info provided, I'd have to say you didn't get all the oil out or you measured wrong.

[JS135]

Same thing happens to me. Always assumed it was normal...

[Iron Man]

I'm lucky if I can drain 6.5 quarts out of mine. I normally only get around 6, but if I sit and let it drip for a long time I can get the 6.5 quarts.

Though I only add the same amount I drain. I overfilled it a little bit once (~1/2 quart) and the engine felt sluggish (put 7 quarts in, but only drain out about 6.5 quarts). Made sure I never did that again.

[Tworl28]

Opinions on electronic oil level? Had an eccentric shaft sensor fail (probably due to oil) But the dash gauge says I'm right on the money (level wise). Not quite sure how accurate it is. What happened to the good old never fail dipstick.

[Olgeezer1]

I don't trust that electronic sensor at all. I put in 6 ltrs. and it shows full. Add the last 1/2 ltr. and it reads exactly the same. Shame on BMW- bring back the dipstick.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Olgeezer1

I don't trust that electronic sensor at all. I put in 6 ltrs. and it shows full. Add the last 1/2 ltr. and it reads exactly the same. Shame on BMW- bring back the dipstick.

I believe the sensor can detect overfills, though I think you probably have to have be >1 quart over the max for it to alarm.

I have no problems with the sensor, just wish you didn't have to run the car and wait for the oil to be up to temperature to get an accurate reading.

While dipsticks are convenient, they do have their faults as well.

[reisf]

Originally Posted by Tworl28

Opinions on electronic oil level? Had an eccentric shaft sensor fail (probably due to oil) But the dash gauge says I'm right on the money (level wise). Not quite sure how accurate it is. What happened to the good old never fail dipstick.

A dip stick? Why that would be just too easy!

Btw how did you know the eccentric shaft sensor had failed?

[JimD]

I've never measured the oil I drain but I don't think it's 6+ quarts. I put about 6 quarts in. I use Mobil 1 0-40W European in 5 quart containers so I dump in one container plus some. And the sensor says I am full. I don't think the sensor is very accurate. It will tell you if you are very low or high but not exactly where you are. But that is probably sufficient.

I know mine works. After an oil change I didn't tighten the filter cap sufficiently and it leaked. And I got a warning so I dumped in more. I had to go buy more to get home and figure out what was wrong. Fortunately it was my bone headed mistake. But I still think it is a crude indicator.

[Tworl28]

Originally Posted by reisf

A dip stick? Why that would be just too easy!

Btw how did you know the eccentric shaft sensor had failed?

CEL came on and it had few codes for that sensor. My car ran rough and wouldn't shift smooth at all. Replaced the sensor and she's back to running like a top. Not sure what caused it to fail, but I'd like to avoid doing that job again.

[Tworl28]

Oil level sensor has failed me now. DAMMIT it must have heard me talking SHIT!

[reisf]

Originally Posted by Tworl28

Oil level sensor has failed me now. DAMMIT it must have heard me talking SHIT!

Mate, question: How do you know your sensor failed?

[Tworl28]

Originally Posted by reisf

Mate, question: How do you know your sensor failed?

I have a 2EA1 code (oil stage sensor communication) Also when i try and check the level w/ the BC it says "inactive"

This car has been great the last 3 years for me but its recently been letting me down. Along with this sensor failing my o2 has gone bad too. Just hit 60k miles.

[reisf]

Originally Posted by Tworl28

I have a 2EA1 code (oil stage sensor communication) Also when i try and check the level w/ the BC it says "inactive"

This car has been great the last 3 years for me but its recently been letting me down. Along with this sensor failing my o2 has gone bad too. Just hit 60k miles.

Oh ok thanks for that. I've got no codes but still don't trust the thing!

Unfortunate too because that thing is expensive...I wanted to just replace mine for peace of mind but its about $500

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

I'm lucky if I can drain 6.5 quarts out of mine. I normally only get around 6, but if I sit and let it drip for a long time I can get the 6.5 quarts.

Though I only add the same amount I drain. I overfilled it a little bit once (~1/2 quart) and the engine felt sluggish (put 7 quarts in, but only drain out about 6.5 quarts). Made sure I never did that again.

I've done this before. It's amazing how much that little bit of extra oil effects the engine. I usually put in 6 and check the oil levels and add from there if needed.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

I've done this before. It's amazing how much that little bit of extra oil effects the engine. I usually put in 6 and check the oil levels and add from there if needed.

Yes, that is what I do now as well. Only put in 6 and then check the oil level.

[JimD]

I may try 5 quarts sometime. When I put in 6, it doesn't read in the middle, it reads almost over full. I would expect replacement to be expensive, it is in the bottom of the oil pan. That looks hard to get to.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by JimD

I may try 5 quarts sometime. When I put in 6, it doesn't read in the middle, it reads almost over full. I would expect replacement to be expensive, it is in the bottom of the oil pan. That looks hard to get to.

Using only 5 qts would be wonderful! Considering that Mobil1's 0-40w eurojuice only comes in 5 qt jugs at my Wally World.

[Dackelone]

The 135i/128i hold 6.9 quarts or 6.5 liters of oil. One quart of oil is about 949ml or .95 liters of oil.

The oil filter holds a few hundred (<300)milliliters of oil. I also found out that IF I remove the oil pan drain first... then after awhile the oil stops... I put the drain plug back in... then I go up to the oil filter and remove it... when I do... another quart or so of oil will come out of the engine. I always change my oil this way.

IF you change the oil and throw in 6 quarts the digital oil level gauge will read full. BUT... after a long drive... say after an hour's drive... it will then read a little bit low.

I always just throw in 6.5 liters of oil and then take the car for a long drive. I do not trust the oil level sensor - until I have been driving for an hour or so. Even then... its more of a reminder and not and exact level sensor.

I have noticed that after say 5K kms of driving on fresh oil... IF I really push the engine hard... say driving at really high speeds on the Autobahn(>280kph) I will go thru a liter or two of oil. This is normal.

When I change my engine oil - I get about six plus liters of oil out of the engine.

Here are some pdf's you might find useful.