Help oil level going empty & then full.

[FABIAN128I]

Hey guys need help my 128i has been flashing the low "oil sign",on and off some times I turn the car it is full and then sometimes I get the low oil sign anybody know what's up.

[631twentyeighteye]

Drive the car around until it's warmed up, Park on a level surface and see what it reads then. Any white/bluish smoke out of the exhaust? Or any drips below the car?

[FABIAN128I]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

Drive the car around until it's warmed up, Park on a level surface and see what it reads then. Any white/bluish smoke out of the exhaust? Or any drips below the car?

Thanks haven't , acknowledge that ill go head and try it out see what it reads.

[mb135is]

It's times like these that make you think, "Gee, if there were only some sort of simple means by which one could check the level of the oil by actually seeing the level of the oil, perhaps some sort of stick one could put in the engine to test the level, sort of like dipping it in there."

Naaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh there would never be something like that!

[dtwyim]

Sensor malfunction?

[FABIAN128I]

Originally Posted by mb135is

It's times like these that make you think, "Gee, if there were only some sort of simple means by which one could check the level of the oil by actually seeing the level of the oil, perhaps some sort of stick one could put in the engine to test the level, sort of like dipping it in there."

Naaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh there would never be something like that!

That wasn't the question

[FABIAN128I]

Originally Posted by dtwyim

Sensor malfunction?

Thanks Ill take too dealer

[JimD]

I've worried about my sensor too but for a different reason. My standard practice for changing oil is to put in 1 qt less than is supposedly required and then check it. It is much harder to remove oil than add it. I've only changed my 128i twice but both time it read max oil level with 6 qts. It is supposed to take 7. I changed a friends 128i and hers didn't ask for the other quart initially but did in a day or so. Mine never did.

Could my sensor be bad? Does my sump hold less? Hers is a 2013 automatic, mine a 2009 manual. Drain plug is at an angle on hers and straight down on mine - so I know there is some difference in the pan.

Jim

[Newby]

Usually when the sensor fails it won't read the oil level and it won't show a calculation for when your next oil service is due.

[Molecourage]

I have the same problem with my 1m

[Dackelone]

This has been brought up before. Basiucally as long as the oil you are using is an approved oil on the bmw list... the most likely cause is water condensation in the oil.

Do you do lots of short trips? Is your engine oil cap all milky sludge color? Try a long trip to burn off the water in your engine oil.

Another thing that can cause this problem is your SW version. Early SW versions had a known bug - bmw's fix was to update the engine SW.

Lastly... some sensors do infact go bad. Have you checked your car for any codes?

IF your car(s) are still under warranty - just go visit a dealer.


here are some handy pdf's from bmw...

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by JimD

I've worried about my sensor too but for a different reason. My standard practice for changing oil is to put in 1 qt less than is supposedly required and then check it. It is much harder to remove oil than add it. I've only changed my 128i twice but both time it read max oil level with 6 qts. It is supposed to take 7. I changed a friends 128i and hers didn't ask for the other quart initially but did in a day or so. Mine never did.

Could my sensor be bad? Does my sump hold less? Hers is a 2013 automatic, mine a 2009 manual. Drain plug is at an angle on hers and straight down on mine - so I know there is some difference in the pan.

Jim

I have noticed the same thing Jim when I change my own oil. IF I put in six quarts in... the oil level gauge will read FULL.... but the next day when I drive the car a long distance... it usually will show 1/2 quart low on the gauge.

So now when I change the oil... I just pour in 6.5 quarts (or 6.9 liters) and be done with it.