technical Advise on oil level

[MiteshN]

Hi all. Got an F30 320i with just over 200000km. Last service was done about 9600km ago which had oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs all done. Today while driving the warning light came on for low oil level. I topped it up with about 2 litres of oil and remeasured and it looks fine now. But I’m concerned why it lost so much oil and what the reason could be. Any advise or pointers to check or look out for? I usually service the car with alternating oil change and full service every 10000km. So planning on doing an oil change next week. This round planning on doing an engine flush and then put new oil and filter.

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[KarshS]

Why did you fill 2lts when it asked for 1lt?

 

[Nick]

more lube = better.

 

[modocrat]

more lube = better.

Only if you're in prison.

 

[AshG108]

Only if you're in prison.

Not going to ask how you know this but we will trust you for now...

 

[AshG108]

Hi all. Got an F30 320i with just over 200000km. Last service was done about 9600km ago which had oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs all done. Today while driving the warning light came on for low oil level. I topped it up with about 2 litres of oil and remeasured and it looks fine now. But I’m concerned why it lost so much oil and what the reason could be. Any advise or pointers to check or look out for? I usually service the car with alternating oil change and full service every 10000km. So planning on doing an oil change next week. This round planning on doing an engine flush and then put new oil and filter.

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Hey Uncle.
Over filling oil isn't good for the engine also. 9/10 when my car asked for top ups, when it had the gaskets leaking like tappet cover and Oil Filter housing gasket. under 1 l top up was even sufficient so the 2l...you may need to drain some.
This comes up when it picks up the 1l "top up" is needed and nothing more until it comes up again.

 

[TurboLlew]

Yeah check for leaks when you're doing the oil change. It isn't a big leak if it came up over that sort of mileage. Alot of things can spring a leak so in addition to what AshG108 recommends, look at the sump, crank seal and rear main seal as well as around oil feed lines. I had one of these water jacket seals go at the back of the motor on my F10 - not sure if the N20/B48 has the same kind of potential issue.

Rather accelerate your plans to do the oil service before you continue using the car as overfilling is not a great idea on any engine. In future, fill the 1L and then re-check after driving the car a short distance rather than immediately. The oil needs to make its way to the sensor.

If there are no leaks, it is not impossible to have burned 1L in 9600km. It isn't a new motor.

 

[Mytfine]

Also at that age and mileage I would expect the turbo seals to be a bit tired so it will burn some through there.

 

[MiteshN]

Thanks for the advice from all. I’ll check the seals and see if I can spot any light leaks. As for filling the 2litres. I topped with 1 litre firat and then remeasured and it was still slightly low so put the extra litre.


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[Pisancho]

I have an N55 so every 5k km I have to put a litre of oil. They like burning oil. The harder I drive, the more often it needs it. Thats just how the motor is, no leaks etc.

 

[Mytfine]

I have an N55 so every 5k km I have to put a litre of oil. They like burning oil. The harder I drive, the more often it needs it. Thats just how the motor is, no leaks etc.

That doenst sound too insane unlike vw who consider 1lt oil per 2000km on a little 1liter engine normal, some are so bad its almost a case of stop at garage and fill oil and check the petrol.