540i oil pressure warning light

[monag]

Hi I got a "STOP ENGINE- OIL PRESSURE CHECK" or something like that on the dash the other night and the car sounded a bit weird. I turned it off, checked the oil level which was fine and then started her up again. This time no problem and all was back to normal. What could that have been about and should I be concerned.
It sure as hell scared me..

 

[zaleonardz]

Sounded a bit weird in what way, mechanical or missing ?

Could be a host of things, could be your oil pump that lost a bolt, could be oil pressure switch ect..

E34 or E39 ?

 

[monag]

It sounded more mechanical. Like a Rattle and rough idle.
But thereafter it drove perfectly fine.

---

sorry, its an e39 dec 2001 540i.

 

[zaleonardz]

Im assuming its an E39 based on the error.

The E34 M60 had oil pump bolts errors, and the bolt would actually drop out. I believe this was solved with the M62 (the 4.4L V8)

Where is the oil level, exactly on the recommended line, what you could do is take it to just above the line.

The dipstick on the E34 actually has a little bump in it just above the recommended line, and I had a similar issue with the oil level perfectly on the line, particularly at clutch grabbing point (such as pull off on an incline), and increasing the oil level ever so slightly sorted out this issue.

I would guess you should get the car to a mach....

This could be an engine sluge issue as well

 

[monag]

I bought the car the same day that this happened. Previous owner never had this issue. I did notice that the last service was done at another mech, not BMW. Judging from the R133.00 charge for the oil filter on the invoice I'm guessing it's not an OEM filter. Also I think the R245.oo oil is most definitely not the correct synthetic spec?
Could this be an issue?

What oil/ oil filter do you recommend?

 

[Sankekur]

Not to sure about the 5ers but R133 sounds about right for a OEM filter. R245 for oil is a bit cheap, but not sure how much the V8 takes (my I6 take 6.5l oil so cost me around R580 for oil).
In terms of oil I would go for castrol 5W40 or 5W30 fully synthetic or shell 5W40 or 5W30 also fully synthetic.
For the oil filter get the OEM one they are not that expensive.

 

[monag]

Oh and one thing I noticed is that the oil filter housing is somewhat loose. It looks like the upper mounting bolts are broken so the housing is not really secure. Could that possibly affect the sensor in that it may bump against the strut mound?
BTW the car only has 114K on the odometer.

 

[Truvalu]

Not to sure about the 5ers but R133 sounds about right for a OEM filter. R245 for oil is a bit cheap, but not sure how much the V8 takes (my I6 take 6.5l oil so cost me around R580 for oil).
In terms of oil I would go for castrol 5W40 or 5W30 fully synthetic or shell 5W40 or 5W30 also fully synthetic.
For the oil filter get the OEM one they are not that expensive.

My 528i never used a drop of oil for about 9000km. Now I changed the oil and filter and filled with Castrol Edge fully synthetic 5w40 (about R 660) and now only 1000km later I need to add about 500ml of oil? could I add maybe shell helix 5w40 or would that be bad? (sorry for the hi-jack)

 

[Sankekur]

I am not sure how the looseness might affect the oil pressure but my recommendation would be to fix it or get it fixed as soon as possible, don't want to be taking any chances with the oil system.

from what I have heard 114k is almost nothing for BMW V8 so will probably still have many hundreds of thousands of km's of happy motoring ahead of you, just be sure look after the car well and it will look after you

So are we going to see some pics of your car in the showroom any time soon

My 528i never used a drop of oil for about 9000km. Now I changed the oil and filter and filled with Castrol Edge fully synthetic 5w40 (about R 660) and now only 1000km later I need to add about 500ml of oil? could I add maybe shell helix 5w40 or would that be bad? (sorry for the hi-jack)

Do you have any idea what oil it used before you did the oil change? That kind of oil use does sound a bit hectic. Personally I would stick with the castrol for topping up and only try a different when doing a oil change again.

 

[monag]

Sankekur>> I can't believe that I did not take pics of my car yet! Anyways I was in a bit of a "depression" after the oil pressure issue and I was going on a trip. I left the car with my dad to take to my bmw mech.The car was really well taken care of from the general condition.
I have a 02 525itouring, so I know a bit about e39s and I love em. I have to sell my wagon but I've two minds about it since I've done everything on it, from vanos seals to rear subframe bushings and I don't know if potential buyers will ever appreciate the way that car was pampered.
Anyways back to the 540i, its an individual and really mint. I'll post some pics as soon as I can.
By the way, I need a decat and anyone you know who can repair the missing pixel issue on the cluster?

Sorry for the rant and thanks for all the feedback.

Truvalu>> Could it be that after the oil change some oil had to first saturate the filter and perhaps thats why you needed the top up?

 

[Truvalu]

That sounds logical, thanks Monag.

 

[Sankekur]

@monag: I understand that depression, it is not fun not being able to drive your new car. I hope you sort out the problem quickly. And I am looking forward to seeing pics of your car

 

[monag]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies. I hope all goes well. I'll probably get the low down by Monday or so.

 

[Truvalu]

I did not realise that it is easier to top up with something like Shell as you can find it after hours... Where do you find Castrol edge 5 (or was it 10)W40 after hours???

 

[Sankekur]

Unfortunately I don't know, but I saw last week that makro sells a lot of castrol oil. (5W40)

 

[rick540]

Your oil overheated went like water, causing the problem, used to get this on performance bikes, you stop look, then the oil cools a little and goes thick again.

Replace with full synth

 

[zaleonardz]

+

 

[monag]

rick540 and zleonardz >> That does make sense to me as I recall touching the oil pipes that run from the filter housing and finding them to be much hotter than I expected them to be.

Do any of you guys have experience with the Engen 5W40 thats available at Checkers Hyper for R220.00 for 5l. I used this on my 525i and didn't have any problems. I found this to be about the cheapest oil with the recommended specs.

 

[P1000]

No. Get proper oil. Save a penny now and pay a lot later. Get Shell, Liqui moly, or Castrol full synth LL04 spec oil

 

[zaleonardz]

Yep.

Oil is your engine life blood, go google engine sludge a bit for a wake up call.