e46 330i burning oil

[vanos500]

My 2002 e46 330i is burning oil at what seems to be an unnatural rate lately.

The yellow low-oil light comes on about once every two months now. So I top it up to make the idiot light go away.
There is no smoke cloud from the exhaust when giving it stick.
No visible oil leaks.

Where is the oil going? It seems to be using about 300ml of oil every 1500kms.
Could it be worn valve stem seals?
Oil Separator Valve?

Also, there is a rotton egg stink from the exhaust especially after hard driving, but I have always assumed it to be the cat.

 

[zaleonardz]

Couple of places.

A common leakage is into the valley pan, and you dont see it, and it just burns away. I think Don has had this issue.

Check that out first before ripping up the heads...

 

[Raybimmer]

" Assumed it to be the cat "........Hello SPCA do you want a stinking cat ?:excited:
Oil leak : using oil by leaking rings/bore etc ( Would give smoke on acceleration ) or cylinder head - valve guides etc. ( Smoke on down shifting or when going downhill with foot off petrol pedal )
oil leak : Easy found on clean engine-difficult to get engine that clean . I normally check from tappet gasket area and cover under engine .

 

[Joefer]

Hi

I also have a 2002 E46 330i... I top mine uo every 15 000 Km with about 500ml...
Car doesn't smoke, no oil spills...????
cheers

Joe

 

[freerider]

It is within BMW specs to use something stupid like 500ml per 1000kms :excited:

My car always used to use about the same as yours vanos500, when it was still on motorplan I raised it a few times, and I was always told that they will not even inspect because it falls within spec.

Since I have been using liquimoly oil though, I very rarely have to top up the oil.

 

[Gizmo]

M54s can suffer from tappet cover seal failure around the back of the motor which is buried deep in the engine bay. This oil that seeps out ends up burning on the hot exhaust manifold manifold below it, this could be the smell when you give it stick.

Get under the car on ramps with a torch and inspect the rear of the cylinder head from underneath. If you find any oil seepage then replace the tappet cover gasket.