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      04-19-2018, 03:45 AM   #1
wba116i
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oil level sensor accuracy?

this is my first BMW so please bear with me. i have a 2007 116i - Last week while driving back from another city 'low engine oil' sign popped up and it suggested to add 1L oil. I freaked out and stopped my car to check for any visible leakages (didn't find any). And the very next day in the morning before leaving for work - i checked the oil level and it said oil level OK (right in the middle of the gauge on the dashboard). I decided to take the public transport - being unsure of the oil level readings. The reason i freaked out was because i had a oil change 6 months ago (have driven 2k km since) - when i bought the car it had 166k on the meter and now its 168k.

So, i added 500ml oil yesterday and drove for about 10km and checked the level which showed 'FULL' (image 1). and at the end of journey (50km) - the oil dropped to 80-85%(image 2).

Whats happening here? I am freaking out. Should i be worried?
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      04-19-2018, 07:20 AM   #2
DR-JEKL
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Oil useage is kinda normal and its possible your mechanic didnt fill to capacity.

The level is kinda finicky, were you on flat level ground when checking?

All in all Id prefer a manual dipstick but in 6 years of ownership Ive trusted the edipstick.
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      04-19-2018, 08:54 AM   #3
wba116i
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DR-JEKL View Post
Oil useage is kinda normal and its possible your mechanic didnt fill to capacity.

The level is kinda finicky, were you on flat level ground when checking?

All in all Id prefer a manual dipstick but in 6 years of ownership Ive trusted the edipstick.
I was on a level ground. Should I fill up another 200-300 ml Oil? Or I shouldn't worry about it for the time being and keep driving?
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      04-20-2018, 12:32 AM   #4
rac
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I had a loose sensor connection a few years back that have me dodgy readings.
I also had massive oil consumption using BMW recommended oils if tracking the car. Now I run something that maintains viscosity better at higher temperatures and that reduced oils consumption by a huge amount.
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      04-20-2018, 02:16 AM   #5
wba116i
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rac View Post
I had a loose sensor connection a few years back that have me dodgy readings.
I also had massive oil consumption using BMW recommended oils if tracking the car. Now I run something that maintains viscosity better at higher temperatures and that reduced oils consumption by a huge amount.
What do you use now?

How did you check the loose connection? (Sorry, if that sounds stupid)
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      04-20-2018, 03:01 AM   #6
rac
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Motul 300V 10W-40.
The wiring connector to the sensor itself on the sump was physically loose. Was obvious by feel and sight in my case.
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      04-20-2018, 05:47 AM   #7
DR-JEKL
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Dont sweat it, recheck it. If it continues to read low add a bit
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      04-22-2018, 04:41 PM   #8
BEAM3R
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I had a similar situation in my 1M. It warned me to fill 1L of oil so I did. Not long after, maybe a few hundred km's it told me to fill 1L again. I took it to the dealership under warranty and they replaced the oil level sensor. Never had a warning since. But I drive <1000km per year.

My previous 135i I had for a few years and never had the warning once. Put about 20,000km on it.
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      04-22-2018, 09:24 PM   #9
Gangplank
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I had an oil sensor go bad. Showed full, then low. Then normal, the low. Etc.
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      07-02-2018, 08:13 AM   #10
juld0zer
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N46 sensors are getting on with age.
Even after adding the 4.3L specified, many will want a little more. Then a little more... And then maybe a little more.
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