Engine Oil level drops too quickly

T

TheNew7

Well-Known Member
Hi Guys,

For those driving the new E60 523/525/530 (N52 engine), do you find your engine oil level drops really quickly?

At about 5k km, I flushed the system and changed the oil, now, at 8.5k, the level has dropped to 3 bars (out of 5). Unfortunately, the newer N52 engines do not come with a dip stick and I've been informed from PML that in this new engine, the oil evaporates much faster.... but this fast????

Looks like at 10k km, I have to send it for servicing again.... don't believe in just topping up the oil.....

Comments.....
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

my E65 N52 YOM 2005 march does not have this problem. think better go check it out, i read somewhere in the forum that the gasket spoil or something. done at 10,000 km oil change, now at 16,000km still no problem.
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

thanks pingman.

I have approached the service people at PML but he seems to think it is normal. No signs of oil leaks anywhere...... so I'm curious.....the oil MUST be going somewhere!!!!!! And I ain't drinking it.....
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

6cyl engines have 50% more area for engine oil to be exposed to the combustion area. Slight oil consumption is normal for such engines. If you got a V8 then expect even more oil usage. If drive a lot of town/city driving of
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

Hi yendor,

The thing is, the engine oil level dropped to 1 bar at about 4.9k km. I had it flushed and changed oil & oil filter. I don't really believe in topping up oil.

Now, at 8.7k km, the engine oil has fallen two notches. Based on your experience, you said one litre per 10k km. Assuming that my engine uses 5 litres of oil, 2 notches signifys 2 litres.

I feel the drop is a little too quick......
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

My E60 525 is 6 months old (pre owned by PML) and I recently went up to KL and back and sometime after that, at around 6,000 kms, my system warned of low oil. There is no dipstick, just the on board computer that shows you graphically the level of oil. My car was showing the minimum level of just one bar.

I went down to PML, they said it was normal for the new engine to lose this level of oil and that is why they supply all new cars (maybe just this 5 series model?) with a one litre bottle of oil in the package.

Since my bottle was missing, I had to purchase 1 litre and they topped up to the 5 bar level (maximum), checked, re-set the computer and sent me on my way in about 30 minutes. I don't think 2 notches equals 2 litres. My 1 litre took my level from 1 bar to 5 bars.

I am now at 9,000 kms and the level is still at 5 bars and maximum, so I am giving them the benefit of doubt.
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

Hi SB,

Sounds like we have the same 'problem'. Anyway, I don't really feel comfortable just 'topping' up oil, I'd rather change the oil and filter. So, at 4.9k km, I did just that. Now, the level has dropped again and that's why I'm asking.

If can hold up to 10k km, I will probably do the change again but not before that.....

Thanks.


Singapore Brummie said:
My E60 525 is 6 months old (pre owned by PML) and I recently went up to KL and back and sometime after that, at around 6,000 kms, my system warned of low oil. There is no dipstick, just the on board computer that shows you graphically the level of oil. My car was showing the minimum level of just one bar.

I went down to PML, they said it was normal for the new engine to lose this level of oil and that is why they supply all new cars (maybe just this 5 series model?) with a one litre bottle of oil in the package.

Since my bottle was missing, I had to purchase 1 litre and they topped up to the 5 bar level (maximum), checked, re-set the computer and sent me on my way in about 30 minutes. I don't think 2 notches equals 2 litres. My 1 litre took my level from 1 bar to 5 bars.

I am now at 9,000 kms and the level is still at 5 bars and maximum, so I am giving them the benefit of doubt.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

I think the reason for the rapid drop in level is due to the 30 oil used. It is supposed to be better for economy and new pour for factory.

U either leave it and change oil at every 10k mileage or u can change to 40 grade oil.

And for the N52, i think to fill it to full, it's 7 litre of oil..
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

Well, the thing is, before the oil change at 4.9k km, the car was using the recommended Castrol engine oil, I changed the oil to OWS Racing after the change. The deterioration is about the same. So I don't suspect its the oil......

And yes, I think it is 7 litres. Thank you for that.....


piggyboyz said:
I think the reason for the rapid drop in level is due to the 30 oil used. It is supposed to be better for economy and new pour for factory.

U either leave it and change oil at every 10k mileage or u can change to 40 grade oil.

And for the N52, i think to fill it to full, it's 7 litre of oil..
Click to expand...
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

If the oil drop at rate of 2L/ 5k mileage, then i say something is wrong with the car.

Like Yendor said, 1L per 10k mileage is normal.

Having said that, r u using 30 OWS ? I used OWS b4 and when draining, the oil looks more like water than oil and I have never touched it since....

Also, when my car was new, it seems to be consuming more oil, especially when i gun it. I could even smell it within the car the smell of the unburnt oil. It is supposed to come out from the crankcase ventilator but it kind of stabilised after 10k mileage....

Get it checked again to make sure that it's not coming out from the engine ventilation due to some faulty valve and end up cooking the poor cat....
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

I have brought this matter up to the a service tech at PML. They say its quite normal with the new range of engines. They didn't say NEW engine, they said the NEW ENGINES (i.e. N52).

Problem is, I can't see any leaks.... so the oil MUST be going somewhere but WHERE? PML told me it was 'evapourating'..... but isn't the engine unit sealed????

piggyboyz said:
If the oil drop at rate of 2L/ 5k mileage, then i say something is wrong with the car.

Like Yendor said, 1L per 10k mileage is normal.

Having said that, r u using 30 OWS ? I used OWS b4 and when draining, the oil looks more like water than oil and I have never touched it since....

Also, when my car was new, it seems to be consuming more oil, especially when i gun it. I could even smell it within the car the smell of the unburnt oil. It is supposed to come out from the crankcase ventilator but it kind of stabilised after 10k mileage....

Get it checked again to make sure that it's not coming out from the engine ventilation due to some faulty valve and end up cooking the poor cat....
Click to expand...
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

Check this out..........

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=VB32&mospid=48483&btnr=11_3738&hg=11&fg=15

like mentioned, oil will be allowed to be evaporated and there will be a catchment before going into the exhaust manifold and out thru the exhaust system.

A very small amount is ok but if the separator or some othe valve is defective and considerable amount is allowed to escape to the exhaust system, it will kill ur catalytic convertor...
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

thanks for the info....

I will take this up with PML tomorrow......
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

The 5 bars that show up do not equate to the capacity in the oil sump. What it shows is the low to high marks on your dip stick. which equates to about 1.5L or so for the 7L oil sump in a 6 cyl engine.

As for the evaporisation, i would like to suggest that oil does not evaporate but actually it is the misting of the oil caused by high speed engine components (namely crankshaft) smacking the oil that causes the oil to be whack into a fine mist. This effect is termed as windage losses and race cars usually grind a knife into the crankshaft counter weight when they change to forged pistons.

Now the oil mist is carried out of the engine via crankcase ventilation valve. The valve is needed as combustion gasses go past the piston rings and this will cause a pressure to build up. If left unchecked, oil will be pressurised past the oil seals. This gasses is passed back into the intake for burning again in the combustion chamber for ecological reasons. The method the Piggyboyz suggest is the best way. Reroute the expelled gasses into the exhaust to maximise the intake charge and maximising power.

Cheers
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

Yes, I had this problem with mine as well. After 4K, I top up with 1 lit. Then at 6K need another refill which I brought to PML. The guy says it normal and asked me to purchase. No way, and insist that he do it foc, which eventually he did. Again at 8K, warning comes on, again to pml and this time they it may be abnormal and they will monitor. Surely at 10k. it came on again and this time my car went in for 3 weeks, did compression test etc. and said pistons rings need replacement which they did not have the parts at that time.

Now at 12K I am wonder...Anyway certainly yours may have similar problems and definately is not normal irregardless of what pml says.
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

Holy Cow.....

Piston ring fail at 10k !!!

But seriously.... If piston ring is really the culprit and the car being so new.... u r ok with changing just the ring ? i would ask for a new block... but don qupte me wor... hahaha !!
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

Dear all,


My

Spore weather cannot use 0w-30. It's tested ok for Germany but not at our humidity and temp. My car eats engine.oil at 2 km. Went to many premium workshop. Told me to over haul as solutioncost 8000. Luckily i discovered from a pro whp decline to be named to use castrol only . Official Bmw oil. 10w- 50 or 60. .problem gone forever . Save 8000 and drove car 2 yrs.. 0w must no be used here in my opinion. Evaproates too fast in tropics. 10w have higher temperature point. You will notice the difference immdiately.

Point is many of us can't save money for lower viscocity engine oil as bmw cars has high pressures and temp. Esle we pay higher peoce for engine repair. As car. Gets. Older when oil dip faster use. 10w-60 . The compression can accomdate the thicker castrol. This oil ia for m series. 3x but cheaper long run as i really save money and engine gives no problem and noise at all..run like new engine. Service car at every 9 k. Change atf at every 40 k. Will save monwy long run. Example my atf sgoukd change every 100k but when i change it as 55k. We got a shock at the degradation of the atf oil. All becuase its tropical here. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

yes 0w30 really burns up quickly. Just change the viscosity to 5w40, wont go wrong.
 
Re: Engine Oil level drops too quickly

Not sure what you're talking about.....

View attachment 66735

View attachment 66736

Specs of the engine oil not matching up to what your stories are saying .....

You do know about the role of the PCV and the oil separator when it comes to engine oil vapors correct ?


ISAMS;1113997 said:
Dear all,


My

Spore weather cannot use 0w-30. It's tested ok for Germany but not at our humidity and temp. My car eats engine.oil at 2 km. Went to many premium workshop. Told me to over haul as solutioncost 8000. Luckily i discovered from a pro whp decline to be named to use castrol only . Official Bmw oil. 10w- 50 or 60. .problem gone forever . Save 8000 and drove car 2 yrs.. 0w must no be used here in my opinion. Evaproates too fast in tropics. 10w have higher temperature point. You will notice the difference immdiately.

Point is many of us can't save money for lower viscocity engine oil as bmw cars has high pressures and temp. Esle we pay higher peoce for engine repair. As car. Gets. Older when oil dip faster use. 10w-60 . The compression can accomdate the thicker castrol. This oil ia for m series. 3x but cheaper long run as i really save money and engine gives no problem and noise at all..run like new engine. Service car at every 9 k. Change atf at every 40 k. Will save monwy long run. Example my atf sgoukd change every 100k but when i change it as 55k. We got a shock at the degradation of the atf oil. All becuase its tropical here. Just my 2 cents worth.
Click to expand...
 
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