What oil to use and ticking noise

[evilsee]

So I got a e46 323ci last week, when I start the car, the amber oil light sometimes stays on until I drive off, and then after 50 metres is turns off. I want to top up the oil a bit, but Im not sure what oil to use? The previous owner only took the car to BMW, what oil would they have put in?

Also I hear this odd ticking noise, but when I up the revs it disappears. Freerider suggested it was the DISA valve, but when I disconnect it, I can still hear the noise. Some sites/forums say its the vanos, and a oil top up can help sort this out.

I hope the two are related and that I just need some oil.

 

[Kamz]

From what i know , BMW recomends Castrol SLX 5W30 oil...

So I got a e46 323ci last week, when I start the car, the amber oil light sometimes stays on until I drive off, and then after 50 metres is turns off. I want to top up the oil a bit, but Im not sure what oil to use? The previous owner only took the car to BMW, what oil would they have put in?

Also I hear this odd ticking noise, but when I up the revs it disappears. Freerider suggested it was the DISA valve, but when I disconnect it, I can still hear the noise. Some sites/forums say its the vanos, and a oil top up can help sort this out.

I hope the two are related and that I just need some oil.

 

[STREETRACER]

Maybe that ticking noise is the engine screaming for a service! Congrats on the car :thumbsup:

 

[evilsee]

Maybe that ticking noise is the engine screaming for a service! Congrats on the car :thumbsup:

Thanks man, the car had a service 2 months ago, service indicators still has 20 000km left on it, so dont think it needs a service just yet.

Do BMW's use full synthetic oils?

I found a list of approved oils for the US market, not sure if its applicable here:

Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

 

[STREETRACER]

Bud i only use shell hellix ultra in all my Petrol cars! And i Gun them all! I use Royal purple if i get time to go to the city before a service! The ultra should do you good! But dont mix it with your existing oil!

 

[evilsee]

Bud i only use shell hellix ultra in all my Petrol cars! And i Gun them all! I use Royal purple if i get time to go to the city before a service! The ultra should do you good! But dont mix it with your existing oil!

Ok but what can I put in now, to top up, until I change the oil? thanks

 

[STREETRACER]

Find out what oil is in the car!!! phone old owner or BMW with your VIN nr..

 

[evilsee]

Find out what oil is in the car!!! phone old owner or BMW with your VIN nr..

Yeah, good idea

 

[Mike1]

Or just treat it to a proper service and put fresh oil in... Its only going to cost you maybe R700 for a top spec oil from Liqui Moly with every BMW approval and spec under the sun and maybe R200 for a filter?

Considering the cost of the car in total I still do not understand why people are so skimp on services...

Reminds me of a client with a V6 TDI VW Tuareg last year.

He calls me. Cant find the right oil spec (VW 505 01) which is rare and we have the perfect VAG DESIGNED oil for him.

R530 for 5 Litres (Half the price the stealers wanted to charge him)... R1060 incl VAT in total for 10 litres which the car needed and drain intervals of 40 000KM! A R1060! Thats all!

Can you believe that this man (Who had just bought a close to R900 000 brand new SUV) b*tched about the pricing to the extend where he bought an inferior oil without the spec he needed. Bye Bye turbo :thumbsup:

Im ranting now...

But seriously... For the sake of the car. If the oil light is on and you dont know when last it was serviced... Do the world a favour and get the oil changed.

Mike

---

Oh... And if you are going to just top up...

DO NOT THROW ANY RANDOM OIL IN.

If its a fully synthetic oil in that car (which it prob is) and you mix it you will lower the effectiveness of that oil to protect your engine by more then 50%.

Mike

 

[ANiMOSiTY]

when I start the car, the amber oil light sometimes stays on until I drive off, and then after 50 metres is turns off.

That could be a serious problem.
if the oil pressure sensor is faulty - then its not too bad, but you should get it checked/replaced.

However, if the sensor and wiring harness are fine, then it means that you have an oil pressure problem.
If that's the case - you've got big issues headed your way if you don't sort it out.

 

[evilsee]

when I start the car, the amber oil light sometimes stays on until I drive off, and then after 50 metres is turns off.

That could be a serious problem.
if the oil pressure sensor is faulty - then its not too bad, but you should get it checked/replaced.

However, if the sensor and wiring harness are fine, then it means that you have an oil pressure problem.
If that's the case - you've got big issues headed your way if you don't sort it out.

damn, makes me wonder if this is why the guy sold the car, Im gonna take it to bmw tomorrow to have it checked out, would they charge for that, I dont really intend getting it fixed there though.

---

Or just treat it to a proper service and put fresh oil in...

I dont think its lacking oil, the car had its inspection one 4000km ago, I reckon its something else oh boy, got this feeling Im about to part with a lot of dough *looks at credit card statement*

---

ah ok, so the Red light means oil pressure and amber is meant to mean oil level.

 

[evilsee]

I stopped by BMW on my way back to the office, all the mechs were on lunch, the service consultant guy came to have a listen, he said it was one of pulleys.

He wants me to book it in for a diagnostic (which you have to pay for), Im not sure if I should, if it is one of the pulleys I reckon I can replace it myself,

 

[evilsee]

I wonder if this is the cause of the ticking, http://jackassofalltrades.com/ticker.html,

 

[evilsee]

UPDATE: oh ja, the ticking noise was a belt tensioner, been fixed and the noise is gone.