oil level drop?

[smeard]

Originally Posted by JimD

The difference between the min and max marks is 1 quart. So if you drop from the max to the mid, you are down a pint.

As has been stated, a pint in 4K miles is not unusual and no cause for alarm. My wife doesn't keep track of when I add for her but she needs a quart or two between oil changes in her n52. I change mine more often and never have to add. A pint in 4K miles is just a quart in 8K which is not bad.

Thank you for the peace of mind! I will check for leaks nonetheless.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by smeard

Will definitely check sensor. Wouldn't it say INACTIVE when checking the oil if it was bad? I know when my RDC got soaked it said TPMS was INACTIVE

In my vase it was active but the sensor was reading wrong. I had my Indy replace it and it's been good ever since.

[chris_flies]

That oil consumption isn't bad. Worse than mine, but not bad at all for our cars.

I can go 5k miles without the level reading budging, with multiple track days and fun stuff thrown in (for good measure). I must have a freak of a car...

[zx10guy]

Since owning my car new, I've never had the oil level drop below the max reading. I've settled on changing the oil when the CBS indicates 7000 miles left and when it nears the 0 mile mark. I still am under the factory maintenance program. That's why I settled on these intervals. Once I come off the factory maintenance program, I'll be going to 5k oil change intervals.

Makes me wonder if I'm one of the lucky ones where I don't have significant oil consumption or the oil level sensor is broken. Yet another reason why an actual dip stick should always be included in an engine design.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

That oil consumption isn't bad. Worse than mine, but not bad at all for our cars.

I can go 5k miles without the level reading budging, with multiple track days and fun stuff thrown in (for good measure). I must have a freak of a car...

Your car is one helluva 1er! Badass, unique and apparently reliable too. Why can't I have it all?! But overall, my baby has been pretty reliable for me. I am sure a 135 would have kicked my ass with HPFP and waste gate crap by now. (No offense to 135 owners, badass cars but I got scared from all horror stories and I needed a decently quick daily)

[smeard]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Since owning my car new, I've never had the oil level drop below the max reading. I've settled on changing the oil when the CBS indicates 7000 miles left and when it nears the 0 mile mark. I still am under the factory maintenance program. That's why I settled on these intervals. Once I come off the factory maintenance program, I'll be going to 5k oil change intervals.

Makes me wonder if I'm one of the lucky ones where I don't have significant oil consumption or the oil level sensor is broken. Yet another reason why an actual dip stick should always be included in an engine design.

I intend on doing the 5k Oil changes too once my car hits 60k. My oil is currently about 3k miles old, so I am going to wait another 3k until I reach 60k.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by smeard

Your car is one helluva 1er! Badass, unique and apparently reliable too. Why can't I have it all?! But overall, my baby has been pretty reliable for me. I am sure a 135 would have kicked my ass with HPFP and waste gate crap by now. (No offense to 135 owners, badass cars but I got scared from all horror stories and I needed a decently quick daily)

Thanks man! Now it just needs to look the part... it is not the prettiest or cleanest one out there

[Happy Jose]

I recently got a low level reading of 0.5 qts, half way between min & max!

Well I'm happy to report that I carefully measured out exactly half a quart and dumped it in. You know what? It filled it up to the max line! Now that precision baby!

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

I recently got a low level reading of 0.5 qts, half way between min & max!

Well I'm happy to report that I carefully measured out exactly half a quart and dumped it in. You know what? It filled it up to the max line! Now that precision baby!

Did it actually warn you or did you measure engine oil and see it was low? Mine hasn't warned me at all, but I checked and it was half low as well.

[Happy Jose]

Originally Posted by smeard

Did it actually warn you or did you measure engine oil and see it was low? Mine hasn't warned me at all, but I checked and it was half low as well.

Judging from your incomprehensible response, you might be a half quart low!

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

Judging from your incomprehensible response, you might be a half quart low!

Sorry if that was confusing, I meant if the car actually gave you an oil light or something. If I hadn't checked on my own, I would have never known I was low.

[Zombie_Head]

I recall our E90 325i was going through about 1 liter of oil every 7,000-11,000 kms. That car was daily driven on city/highway and never saw the track at all.

My 1986 944 Turbo consumed anything from 1 liter every 1,000 kms to 1 liter every 4,000 kms, depending on my driving (compression and leak tested, it is normal for older Porsche turbos to consume as much as 0.5 liters every 1,000 kms).

My current 125i currently uses 5w-40 and i have about 4,000-5,000 kms of track mileage and 5,000 of street, so a total of 10,000 kms or so and not a drop of oil consumed.

If you are certain that there are no leaks, some cars like to use a tad more oil than others, despite the same brand, it has to do with engine internal tolerances when built from the factory. It is neither a good thing or a bad thing, as long as it is within specifications you have nothing to worry about.

For piece of mind, take a compression test and a leak down test to be absolutely certain all is well internally with the engine.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Since owning my car new, I've never had the oil level drop below the max reading. I've settled on changing the oil when the CBS indicates 7000 miles left and when it nears the 0 mile mark. I still am under the factory maintenance program. That's why I settled on these intervals. Once I come off the factory maintenance program, I'll be going to 5k oil change intervals.

Makes me wonder if I'm one of the lucky ones where I don't have significant oil consumption or the oil level sensor is broken. Yet another reason why an actual dip stick should always be included in an engine design.

If you are like me, and the car has never followed the factory recommended oil change interval, it will probably never burn much until very high mileage.

5000 km oil change intervals FTW.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

If you are like me, and the car has never followed the factory recommended oil change interval, it will probably never burn much until very high mileage.

5000 km oil change intervals FTW.

mighty mouse, here in cali we go by miles and I have only had the car for 4k miles, changing oil at 5k. I figured, with proper synthetic, 5k is plenty often especially considering most people run the oil 15K!

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by smeard

mighty mouse, here in cali we go by miles and I have only had the car for 4k miles, changing oil at 5k. I figured, with proper synthetic, 5k is plenty often especially considering most people run the oil 15K!

I also see blown up engines almost daily at the dealer.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I also see blown up engines almost daily at the dealer.

I am bringin the car in when she hits the interval of 5k

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

In my vase it was active but the sensor was reading wrong. I had my Indy replace it and it's been good ever since.

UPDATE: Followed the advice of many and added half a quart of full synthetic 0w40 castrol edge LL01 approved (because it was reading half way between min and max). Well, let engine idle and i clicked the measure oil. SAME level, half way! I think I ran into your issue. If the sensor is bad, shouldn’t it have given me an inactive warning?? I only get the same BS halfway level reading. Bringing the car in to my indy soon for oil change and new oil level sensor, and probably new M/T fluid too. In the mean time Figured I can drive it as the car drives fine and That half a quart more of oil won’t hurt anything. Again, taking car to shop soon. Thanks to all for help, will update again after work is done.

[Gangplank]

Mine started occasional. It would show full one time, then the next time I drove 1/2 way. Then normal for a week or month. Then 1/2 for a day. I would add 1/2. Full, then a day later 1/2. My Indy said they go bad sometimes. Not often. New sensor fixed it. Hope it helps. Don't overfill.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Mine started occasional. It would show full one time, then the next time I drove 1/2 way. Then normal for a week or month. Then 1/2 for a day. I would add 1/2. Full, then a day later 1/2. My Indy said they go bad sometimes. Not often. New sensor fixed it. Hope it helps. Don't overfill.

AAAAAAAND UPDATE #2: Went up to almost max after driving it for today. So I am confused, maybe I have a leak? or is the half quart of oil loss in between oil changes normal in a 128i?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by smeard

AAAAAAAND UPDATE #2: Went up to almost max after driving it for today. So I am confused, maybe I have a leak? or is the half quart of oil loss in between oil changes normal in a 128i?

Half a quart is pretty normal. Would not stress about it at all.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Half a quart is pretty normal. Would not stress about it at all.

Appreciate it! Sorry bout my nervous nellie-ness. I just turn into a pansy when my car starts complainin. She's my baby!!

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Mine started occasional. It would show full one time, then the next time I drove 1/2 way. Then normal for a week or month. Then 1/2 for a day. I would add 1/2. Full, then a day later 1/2. My Indy said they go bad sometimes. Not often. New sensor fixed it. Hope it helps. Don't overfill.

Please read updates. Car did end up reading the half quart of oil I added, ended up just below max. Not overfilled! Thanks for everything