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02-12-2009, 10:45 PM | #1 |
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Oil Change - Max Fill Level Variance
Hi guys,
What is the correct amount of oil needed in order to reach the Maximum fill level? I put in 7 quarts and the dashboard readout is still below Max. I've read some posts where people have experienced varying fill levels. However, 7 quarts is supposed to be the maximum. I've checked the drain nut and around the oil filter and havn't found any leaks. Any insights? octironSmith ----------------- |
02-13-2009, 02:01 PM | #2 |
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Max Level Reached .....
Here is the sequence of events:
(1) Checked level at home - below Max (2) Drove to location 15 minutes away, beat on it a little bit (3) Parked car at location for 15 - 20 minutes (4) Drove back home (5) Check level at home - at Max So I guess I'm fine now but it really is weird how the sensor readings vary. ------------- |
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02-13-2009, 02:27 PM | #3 |
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I've removed and measured exactly 6 qts...from drain pan to empty qt containers...i've added 6 qts new oil and have been at max for 200mi now. The car was on rhino ramps during the oil change.
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02-13-2009, 04:00 PM | #4 | |
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OP: Put in 7 quarts. I've done many many N5x engines, and that's what they take. |
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02-13-2009, 06:06 PM | #5 |
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If the computer reads that it is at a maximum fill level after 6 quarts, then putting in 6 quarts may even be too much. The computer wont tell you if you put in too much oil-just if there is too little or the right amount. Err on the side of caution-start by putting in 6 quarts and then if you need to put more in you can. Putting in 7 quarts may be more than you should put in-but you would never know. If all you ever do is put in 7 quarts, it doesn't matter how many oil changes you've done-it could still be too much every time and you would never know. I put in 6 when I changed the oil and my car has been fine for 2500 miles. Most people who put in 6 find that it is enough, and if not, they know to put more in. Start with 6, you can always add more.
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02-13-2009, 06:21 PM | #6 | |
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Good question! You're a BMW tech, why don't you ask corporate why they cheaped out and didn't include dipsticks so anal people like me could check oil level every 100-150mi instead of having to depend on the computer. I do keep an eye on oil level through the computer, but who knows how accurate the sensor is. And overfilling the engine with oil and hoping excess burns off is not good practice. I guess that's why I do my own oil changes. I would rather err on the side of slightly underfilling oil vs. overfilling by a full 1 qt. You have to remember there is still residual old oil in the pan so you don't fully drain the max 7qts of oil out of the motor. |
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02-13-2009, 10:15 PM | #7 |
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The E92 owners manual says the engine capacity is 6.9 quarts (if you don't change filter it would be less, but why would you not change the filter?). I am sure the 1-series is identical (as per Mad Dragon). Why would you put in less than what the owners manual recommends? Don't you think they know how much should be put in it...
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02-14-2009, 05:52 AM | #8 | |
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If you take residual oil into consideration, the N54 holds 8 quarts of oil. Every oil cooler retrofit we've done on 335s requires an extra quart to fill the cooler. There's no way to drain it, so the oil stays in there. I fill engines according to the manufacturer's spec, and I've yet to see one come back because it was overfilled. If you want to underfill your engine and cook the turbos, that's your business. |
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02-14-2009, 07:51 AM | #9 | |
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I'm also skeptical of your statement about "cooking" the turbos. How am I cooking my turbos by being, in your mind, 0.5 to 1qt low? Maybe under 100% all the time heavy load, i'd be concerned but not so much on a street car. I'd still rather be slightly underfilled of oil than overfilled by 1qt of oil. Last edited by AchtungF80; 02-14-2009 at 08:16 AM.. |
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02-14-2009, 10:01 AM | #11 |
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Yet another reason I won't wait for the service indicator to count down before changing. My level gauge was still indicating full at 6200 miles. I changed it and put in 7 full quarts, indicator shows full.
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02-14-2009, 10:18 AM | #12 |
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Draining the Oil
I guess it also depends on how long the oil is allowed to drain. The more oil is drained out, the more needs to go back in. Also, somebody told me that BMW has had recalls for the oil sensor.
I have another question ... Is the whirring noise after turning the ignition off the water pump? I know that happens in my VW and was wondering if this is the same thing. ------------------------- |
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02-17-2009, 09:39 AM | #13 | |
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02-17-2009, 10:48 AM | #14 |
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The user manual said 7 quarts and the oil change package sold by BMW also included 7 quarts, so I put in 7 quarts. I have done 2 oil changes already and did not notice any side effect with 7 quarts and the comupter said it is at max level.
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02-17-2009, 12:17 PM | #15 |
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Just because the computer says it is at max level doesn't mean you put the right amount of oil in. If you put in 9 quarts it will tell you the exact same thing, so would 10, 11, etc. There is no way to know that you overfilled the car with oil after an oil change. I'm not saying that you wont need 7, but you probably wont need 7 (6-6.5 works for most people). By putting in 7 every time you don't know what you are doing-your car may need 6 but you would never know.
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02-17-2009, 03:14 PM | #16 |
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The owner's manual says 6.9 quarts. The oil capacity bulletin says 6.9 quarts. Put in 6.9 quarts. 7 will do, if you don't have a measuring cup.
I guess the oil level too high warning doesn't count? |
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02-17-2009, 04:15 PM | #17 |
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Is there a way of getting an oil pressure reading through the "hidden" OBD menu people have talked about? Maybe that can then be compared to the manufacturer spec.
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02-17-2009, 06:08 PM | #20 |
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I stand corrected. Sorry 'bout that. After 3 n54 oil changes of putting in 6-6.5 quarts, I have not had any problems with too little oil. I wonder at what point the car will tell you that it is ">max"
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02-17-2009, 07:27 PM | #21 |
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I know from years of experience with my E36M3 that adding nearly a full quart extra does not cause problems, and helps prevent starvation on the track. I don't know about the N54, but I suspect it can also handle a significant amount of overfill before it causes problems. I plan to stick with 7 quarts for now.
I changed mine in the 135 recently just so I would be assured of a full crankcase. It may take a while for me to get confidence in the e-dipstick. I saw no change in 6200 miles. Maybe in the future BMW will let us pay for an optional $500 mechanical dipstick! |
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02-17-2009, 10:34 PM | #22 |
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I guess it was only a matter of time until this someone posted an oil fill question on this site. Make sure the car is level when you drain the oil. The oil drains out of the filter housing but you are going to change the filter anyway.
Lets stop and think about this a moment. When you go to the dealer for an oil change, do they put in 6, 6.5, or some other number of quarts of oil and tell you to drive around and keep an eye on the level for a few days? It takes 7 quarts. SEVEN. Don't worry. If you feel nervous about it, have your wife hold your hand while fill the crankcase. |
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