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12-06-2017, 09:12 AM | #1 |
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Normal Oil Consumption
Did an oil change last Friday and had to kick the wrench to get the oil drain bolt loose.
When I was draining the old oil into the empty bottles I wound up filling 5 quarts and then a tiny bit. So that means I lost around 2 quarts. Last oil change was in June and the OFHG & OCG were replaced again along with the belt. There is no more leak unless another one sprung up somewhere . Pushing 156K miles. I guess I am curious what everyone else's consumption is. SIDE NOTE I put 7 quarts but my oil monitor never shows as full, always a notch below full. |
12-06-2017, 09:25 AM | #2 |
Major General
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If you only drained 5 qt, you should have gotten a low oil message. Sounds like your oil level sensor is not working properly.
My car with 62k does not use any oil. At least nothing measurable. |
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12-06-2017, 09:28 AM | #3 |
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Never got an oil warning, I have gotten them in the past but not this time around. Now I am wondering if I should add an extra quart or just monitor the oil level very closely.
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12-06-2017, 04:11 PM | #4 | |
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12-06-2017, 06:03 PM | #5 | ||||
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12-07-2017, 07:01 AM | #6 | |
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As MM mentioned, too much and too little are both bad for your engine. I would definitely have your oil sensor checked out. P.S. It can be a pain to drain these engines. I let mine drain for 30 minutes or more, and still only get out around 6-6.5 quarts of oil. |
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12-07-2017, 07:04 AM | #7 | ||
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12-07-2017, 07:08 AM | #8 |
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Are you changing the filter before draining the pan? If not, you're likely retaining a significant amount of oil in the oil filter housing; removing the filter releases it to drain freely back into the tank.
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12-07-2017, 07:12 AM | #9 | |
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I take the fill cap off when draining to help and also remove all the oil from the oil filter housing. Sometimes it can take a bit of driving to get everything nice and warm and have the oil sensor accurately measure the level. |
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12-07-2017, 09:14 AM | #10 |
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12-12-2017, 04:13 PM | #12 |
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My car is about to turn 140k. I did my last oil change at 136k. I put in 6 quarts and once I test drove it came up 3/4 indicator.
I had heard people change 7 qts sometimes. My car doesnt seem to care for that much tho. I'll probably try 6.5 next time. It just dropped down to 1/2 indicator so my car is burning a 1/4 qt every 4000 miles or so in daily driving. Not too shabby. Makes my 190k Honda S2000 seem like an oil guzzling monster XD. |
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12-12-2017, 07:06 PM | #14 | |
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12-12-2017, 07:08 PM | #15 | |
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12-16-2017, 12:03 AM | #16 |
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Yeah that is definitely the full mark, but don't feel too bad about it. The gap on the right side is definitely misleading.
As far as overfilling is concerned, I know individuals running 7, 7.5 and even up to 8 quarts in various twin-cam BMW straight sixes from the M50 to the current crop of turbo engines. Oil consistently drains from the heads of BMW engines during high speed corning which leads to lifter tick. Many of these engines are high mileage and burn a bit of oil as well. It's very possible you're burning a bit of oil at 156k miles. I wouldn't worry about the amount that drained out if you're getting an accurate full reading. However, if you want to start measuring from a clean slate, your next oil service is the opportunity to do it, as you know exactly how much your poured in this time. |
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12-17-2017, 04:22 PM | #17 |
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I don't know if I trust that sensor at all. Maybe large drops will show up but whether I put in 6 or 6 1/2 ltrs. the reading stays the same at the full mark and never changes over the 6 to 8 thousand km. it sees every summer.
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oil change, oil consumption, oil leak |
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