Verify if engine oil enough

[sphmc]

Hello friends, my ride is a 2006 e90 N52. Car computer is showing that engine oil is full based on the reading of the oil level sensor. But I suspect may not be true, as prior to last service, the engine oil level dropped 2 notches.

2 noob questions please:

(1) when I open the engine oil cap under the bonnet, inside I don't see any engine oil filling up to any level, even though the inside does look well-coated with engine oil...is this normal? is the engine oil supposed to fill up to certain level?

(2) assuming the oil level sensor is faulty, if the engine oil is truly low, will it still trigger a low oil pressure with the engine oil icon (either yellow or red)?

Thanks a lot !

 

[Viper Warrior]

If the oil level sensor is not working, I presume there should be an error code popping out. No reason why not to trust the idrive computer oil level indication. Oil leak or high oil consumption (not uncommon) maybe the cause for the oil level to drop.
Anyway, you can't use visual reference to gauge oil level by opening the oil cap to look inside.

 

[sphmc]

Well we do see many write-ups in the web of oil level sensors faulty. Chance not high but still exists
But thanks for pointing out about visual checking to determine oil level !

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

1. When the engine is off - the engine oil would flow back into the oil sump at the bottom of the engine.

2. Yes - The oil pressure is measured via another sensor.


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[sphmc]

Great info R_B_B..thank you !