E46 318iM Using Oil

[JeanLucPicard]

Hi All.
My E46 318iM is using 2 pints of oil per 1000km. I wanted to know if this is normal? There was an oil leak on the tappet cover gasket, but that was apparently fixed when I bought the vehicle. I can't see any oil leaks on my garage floor and I can't see any exhaust smoke either. How much oil (if any) should my car be using between services?

Is there any checks that I can do to find what's causing the oil consumption?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[Raybimmer]

That is 1 litre per 1000 km , dealer would most likely say it is within limits ( about 3 pints per 1000 km ) .
Check positive crankcase ventilation vale ( pcv ) may need a clean or replacement . look for a hose going to the tappet cover .
No oil leaks on engine ? sometimes oil drips and is blown off when driving - any signs under car - oil covered floor behind the engine ?
Oil consumption in engine can be broadly put in two places - bore or valves . Both would allow smoke through the exhaust which should be seen under certain driving conditions . Good luck.

 

[JeanLucPicard]

Thanks. I will have a look and let you know what I find.

 

[JeanLucPicard]

I had a look and I can't see any area underneath the car where oil might have leaked. I bought Castrol GTX 20W-50 multigrade oil this time. I'll monitor the oil consumption to see if this makes a difference. What oil would you recommend I use?

 

[andrewbuch]

I am running Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 in my E46 318iM serviced last year Dec Done about 10K Km since then.. No oil use at all... car is now on 150K Km

 

[JeanLucPicard]

Great. Thanks.
I will definitely use that oil when I do the next oil change.

 

[andrewbuch]

Great. Thanks.
I will definitely use that oil when I do the next oil change.

Caution..


It depends what oil your cars been running on..

and mileage


If the mileage is high & cars been running on 20w50 oil.. then running it on a thinner oil might cause some problems.. I don't know details but its what I have heard..

 

[JeanLucPicard]

I also read similar reports on forums, etc.
My car has 132K Km's on the clock. Other than this oil issue, the engine is generally in good nick. So it should be safe to try the Shell Helix Ultra 5w40.

 

[andrewbuch]

I would give it a try.. Its a great oil & has good cleaning properties..

Maybe run an engine flush first, I did that.. But other guys on here don't like additives..

I was just unsure of what oil was previously used.. So ran the flush & switched to the shell..

 

[JeanLucPicard]

Great. Thanks.
I think the flush is a good idea. I'll also have the engine checked for leaks on seals and gaskets beforehand and have those replaced if need be.

 

[Jacques Motorem]

There are a few threads re the valve guides and stem seals for your motor (N42/N46) on this forum. Check them out. 2 pints per 1000 km sounds like more than just an oil brand/type issue and more than just PCV too.

Check if your car blows smoke on start-up and after a few minutes of idling.

I have a few rusty oil drums that hold oil better than an N42 motor.

Just my 2c from experience with these engines:thumbdo:

 

[andrewbuch]

Thats true.. The N42 leaks..

I have the 2000 Model with the M43.. also leaks a bit on some gaskets but not enough to worry about

 

[akash]

Sure you dont have an E90 motor under the hood:roflol:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Actually read this thread the other night when first posted - I suspect my Wife's E46 is in need of a PCV valve and associated pipes replacement. It seems to be using a small but noticeable amount of oil, but not a single trace of smoking or obvious oil leaks. The only tell-tail sign (unless I am misunderstanding the noise I am hearing) is that whenever the engine is turned off after a brief second or so there is a wheezy gasp or pressure releasing sound. Have heard a few other E46's do this, not sure if this is normal or in fact an indication that the PCV valve is blocked... Found a nice and detailed thread showing what is all needed and how to go about replacing this and related pipes.

 

[andrewbuch]

Found a nice and detailed thread showing what is all needed and how to go about replacing this and related pipes.

you going to share?

 

[Philip Foglar]

Found a nice and detailed thread showing what is all needed and how to go about replacing this and related pipes.

you going to share?

Of course! Here we go:

BMW Wiki page - Oil Separator Valve, Idle Control Valve, DISA Valve, Lower Intake Boot Replacement

And the linked thread - 'An excellent writeup of the replacement of these valves and the lower intake boot is in this thread...'

Seems quite comprehensive and well written!