oil change problem.....cant fix it

max_asdf · 05-08-2010, 08:43 AM

ok, went to do a simple oil change.

when done, i checked the oil level, it was half. i drove it for 30minutes, it went to miniumum and add 1Q of oil.

So I went to add more, the oil sensor shows maximum now. turned the car off and on again. still at maximum.

I go to turn it on again after 5minutes to drive it, the oil gauge shows 3/4 to max only.

this morning it only showed half full.

What is going on??

bmw6953 · 05-08-2010, 11:11 AM

have you made sure you car is not leaking oil any where? if not maybe you need a new oil level sensor or the oil isnt properly circulating.

mike3000fl · 05-08-2010, 12:11 PM

so how many quarts total did you put in there? provided there are no leaks whatever you put in should still be in there.

with that....look for leaks, since you only pulled the drain plug you could just remove the trapdoor for a day or two so leaks will hit the ground and be visible.

you might want to pull the filter and make sure it's not crush and is seated correctly, not sure if that would cause the strange readings or not but worth checking.

a blockage might cause strange readings, i always make sure to remove all the foil from the cap by hand before i go pouring it in the engine just in case a piece comes off and gets in my motor blocking passageways.

as long as there are no leaks and no blockages, if you know you put enough oil in there running the motor should be fine. i would let it warm up and try to check it consistantly under the same conditions to get a good baseline reading.

fdriller9 · 05-08-2010, 07:29 PM

Are you getting these reading on a level surface? You should be.

ENINTY · 05-08-2010, 08:46 PM

Oil change:

Open oil filter cap.

Open drain.

Let oil drain out.

Suck and remaining oil from the filter housing.

clean and then replace the filter.

Close drain bolt.

Add SEVEN (7) QUARTS of BMW oil.

You're finished.

bmw6953 · 05-08-2010, 09:03 PM

you need 7 quarts total no more no less

Delanez · 05-17-2010, 09:09 PM

How many quarts did you use for the oil change? If it's 7 then you have a defective oil level sensor. If you're not sure then drain the oil out and measure it.

Be nice to have a dipstick eh? how silly.....

05-08-2010, 08:43 AM	#1
max_asdf Private First Class 22 Rep 176 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: ca iTrader: (1)	oil change problem.....cant fix it - help! ok, went to do a simple oil change. when done, i checked the oil level, it was half. i drove it for 30minutes, it went to miniumum and add 1Q of oil. So I went to add more, the oil sensor shows maximum now. turned the car off and on again. still at maximum. I go to turn it on again after 5minutes to drive it, the oil gauge shows 3/4 to max only. this morning it only showed half full. What is going on??
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05-08-2010, 11:11 AM	#2
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	have you made sure you car is not leaking oil any where? if not maybe you need a new oil level sensor or the oil isnt properly circulating.
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05-08-2010, 12:11 PM	#3
mike3000fl Banned 138 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	so how many quarts total did you put in there? provided there are no leaks whatever you put in should still be in there. with that....look for leaks, since you only pulled the drain plug you could just remove the trapdoor for a day or two so leaks will hit the ground and be visible. you might want to pull the filter and make sure it's not crush and is seated correctly, not sure if that would cause the strange readings or not but worth checking. a blockage might cause strange readings, i always make sure to remove all the foil from the cap by hand before i go pouring it in the engine just in case a piece comes off and gets in my motor blocking passageways. as long as there are no leaks and no blockages, if you know you put enough oil in there running the motor should be fine. i would let it warm up and try to check it consistantly under the same conditions to get a good baseline reading.
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05-08-2010, 07:29 PM	#4
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Are you getting these reading on a level surface? You should be.
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05-08-2010, 08:46 PM	#5
ENINTY Banned 173 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Oil change: Open oil filter cap. Open drain. Let oil drain out. Suck and remaining oil from the filter housing. clean and then replace the filter. Close drain bolt. Add SEVEN (7) QUARTS of BMW oil. You're finished.
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05-08-2010, 09:03 PM	#6
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	you need 7 quarts total no more no less
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05-17-2010, 09:09 PM	#7
Delanez New Member 3 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 04 325i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (1)	How many quarts did you use for the oil change? If it's 7 then you have a defective oil level sensor. If you're not sure then drain the oil out and measure it. Be nice to have a dipstick eh? how silly.....
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