How badly can I screw up an oil service?

[NoddyBadge]

I meant to go into Zeemax this week to have it done.

But after some googling, it really seems like it's not that much of a mission to do on my own.

Thanks to Mike I already have the perfect oil and I've missioned to get an oil filter.

Seems like I need an O-ring or two and then it's simply a matter of draining the oil and replacing the filter and then resetting the service light.

The way I see it, it would only take an hour of my time at most.

But I'd like to hear from you guys if it's safe to do so on my own.

If I were to do it on my own - it'd be my first time tinkering with a BMW, a far cry from my Kawasaki Z1000 and CBR900 that I dealt with back in the day

 

[zaleonardz]

What car dude ?

The worst that you can do is strip the sump plug, and put in too much or too little oil, thats about the worst you can do.

But if you are paying attention, you wont do that, the other thing you have to keep in mind is that you will not have the tools to reset the computer "oil service" indicator, some cars you can use the wire method, and some guys have got got puters at home who I am sure you can borrow.

But its an easy job, the easiest oil I have ever changed was on the 540 with its front mounted oil filter, easy as pie..

 

[NoddyBadge]

The details of my car are in my sig.

As for the resetting found the following which I have not tried yet.

- Press and hold trip meter button down and turn ignitiion key to accesory position.
- Hold until you see 'reset'.
- Release and immediately press and hold again for 5 seconds, until 'reset' flashes.
- Release and press again.

From: BimmerTools.com

The link may not work as I'm using a proxy at the office to avoid BlueCoat

https://truthgoat.com/tkbpknmlsc.ph...0aWNzLmNvbS9zaG93dGhyZWFkLnBocD90PTQ4NjQyOQ==

Several good results with that procedure it would seem...

Anyone tried it?

 

[Mike1]

Hey there

A couple of questions.

When last was the coolant and anti freeze changed?

When last was the brake fluid changed?

When last were things like power steering fluid etc checked?

When last was your BMW serviced and what mileage?

All the above will be found in your service booklet.

Without the answers to these questions it is impossible, if not dangerous to attempt your own servicing.

Let me know the resuts.

Mike

 

[NoddyBadge]

Hey there

A couple of questions.

When last was the coolant and anti freeze changed?

When last was the brake fluid changed?

When last were things like power steering fluid etc checked?

When last was your BMW serviced and what mileage?

All the above will be found in your service booklet.

Without the answers to these questions it is impossible, if not dangerous to attempt your own servicing.

Let me know the resuts.

Mike

Well seems like Auric Auto didn't bother to keep notes of when the coolant and anti-freeze was changed (if at all?)

Last oil service was on 73000km, Inspection 1 at 87000km (those two before I got the car) and then at 92000km the turbo was replaced, along with the oil seperator and the front discs and pads replaced too and the injectors cleaned.

 

[Mike1]

Ok... Let me get the history of the car.

Please PM me your VIN.

The reason I say this is because all coolant, brake fluid etc needs to be changed yearly. It only has a shelf life of a year and depending on the SABS approval can be stretched to 2 years as we see with our Ford bakkies.

I am sure BMW dont stretch it to a year... If your car needs those fluids changed and you dont change them then the parts they lubricate or are used in such as brakes etc lose their effectiveness by up tp 70%. :shocked:

There is more to service then may appear.

Mike

 

[NoddyBadge]

Sweet thanks Mike - will get back to you in the morning

 

[gizmowp]

Ok... Let me get the history of the car.

Please PM me your VIN.

The reason I say this is because all coolant, brake fluid etc needs to be changed yearly. It only has a shelf life of a year and depending on the SABS approval can be stretched to 2 years as we see with our Ford bakkies.

I am sure BMW dont stretch it to a year... If your car needs those fluids changed and you dont change them then the parts they lubricate or are used in such as brakes etc lose their effectiveness by up tp 70%. :shocked:

There is more to service then may appear.

Mike

you can get a service history by vin number??? THAT"S AWWWWESOME!! reason is my car never had a service history or proff of it at least since i took ownership...the service book was missing..so i ordered a new one...

can u help?

 

[Tlvivo]

Ok... Let me get the history of the car.

Please PM me your VIN.

The reason I say this is because all coolant, brake fluid etc needs to be changed yearly. It only has a shelf life of a year and depending on the SABS approval can be stretched to 2 years as we see with our Ford bakkies.

I am sure BMW dont stretch it to a year... If your car needs those fluids changed and you dont change them then the parts they lubricate or are used in such as brakes etc lose their effectiveness by up tp 70%. :shocked:

There is more to service then may appear.

Mike

you can get a service history by vin number??? THAT"S AWWWWESOME!! reason is my car never had a service history or proff of it at least since i took ownership...the service book was missing..so i ordered a new one...

can u help?

that makes two of us Gizmo

 

[Johan Kleynhans]

Re: How badly can i screw up an oil service?

I am driving a 2001 pre-facelift 320d with 188K on the clock. I have been doing all the required oil services since it ran out of m-plan. Reason being the bloody stealerships I do not trust at all! There is no reason whatsoever that prevents you from doing an oil change yourself. It is as easy as pie. Brakefluid, coolant fluid and the likes have been changed by BMW dealers because you need special equipment to do that. I stand corrected, but bf and cf needs to be changed every 2 years. As for resetting the service indicator, NoddyBadge is correct. Just follow the procedure he supplied.

As for costs: A DIY oil service - Oil ±R300 (Helix Ultra full synthetic)
Filter ±R200 (Including o-rings and washer)

Note: I have had NO turbo or other engine trouble so far (except a MAF failure) Touch wood!!

 

[Mike1]

Guys if you want service histories drop me a PM... I am often at BMW and can get them...

I dont mind if people want to service a car themselves. But they need to realise there is more to it then just a oil change.

Mike