[elons335i]

I’ll make it quick. Ive read what seems to be tons of threads on this without a definitive answer...

The car:
2007 e61 n52 (~180,000 miles) with a three stage intake manifold (identical to a 2006 330i)
I recently replaced: oil pan gasket, filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket and the engine PCV system - all OE parts. The car does not leak any oil. I change oil every 6,500 miles with 0w40 weight oil.

The issue: it consumes a little bit of oil, approximately 1qt every 2k miles.

When replacing the valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket - engine looked very clean, no visible sludge.

Has anyone tried any of the liquimoly snake oil products such as engine flush or injector cleaner? Any recommendations? Leave it alone, seem normal?

[macheff03]

Well i am not the best person to answer this question but I will provide whatever opinion I can,

Your car has higher miles at 180k. Are you positive it leaks absolutely no oil and have you left it enough time after the gasket replacement to see if the problem remains? I ask this because you said recently, so either you drive quite often or you haven’t given enough time to recalculate the oil loss.

I wouldn’t be super worried about this but I’m sure there’s someone here that can give a better answer then I can

[ducatiti]

Is it true that the more often you change your oil, the more prone we will have oil leaks?

[macheff03]

Originally Posted by ducatiti

Is it true that the more often you change your oil, the more prone we will have oil leaks?

That could be the case but never heard that.
Probably because when you go and change and move parts there’s a chance of gasket breaks or leaks I would assume...

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by macheff03

That could be the case but never heard that.
Probably because when you go and change and move parts there’s a chance of gasket breaks or leaks I would assume...

Too add, the viscosity of the new oil has a more probability of seeping thru.

[macheff03]

Originally Posted by ducatiti

Too add, the viscosity of the new oil has a more probability of seeping thru.

Good point

[elons335i]

@Efthreeoh - you’re the n52 expert. What do I do here?

Efthreeoh

[Efthreeoh]

Okay, a reality check...

I've had my N52 for 367,000 miles, and have done all the gasket fixes. I drive about 2,800 miles a month, so I track oil consumption on a rapid milage-occuring basis.

There is no way an N52 will leak a quart of oil in 2,500 miles via any of the 3 common gasket leaks, even if the engine has all 3 at the same time. If the engine leaks that much oil, there'd be a mess in engine compartment. The worst leak my engine ever had was the pan gasket and my oil consumption was in the 7,000-mile per quart range. My engine now has zero oil leaks and has been that way for over 2 years since I did the pan gasket. My oil consumption rate has increased over that 2 year period because it is burning the oil in the combustion chambers. How the oil gets into the combustion chamber is what needs to be evaluated. My rate is about 1L per 2,500 miles. I'd prefer it to be less, but it is what it is. I will change out the CCV system soon to see if it lowers the consumption rate. My car is an '06, so it has the catch-can separating system. I suspect the CCV on my car is worn out and passing oil into the intake.

OP, can you elaborate on replacement of the crankcase vent? What was done for that repair?

[elons335i]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Okay, a reality check...

I've had my N52 for 367,000 miles, and have done all the gasket fixes. I drive about 2,800 miles a month, so I track oil consumption on a rapid milage-occuring basis.

There is no way an N52 will leak a quart of oil via any of the 3 common gasket leaks, even if the engine has all 3 at the same time. If the engine leaks that much oil, there'd be a mess in engine compartment. The worst leak my engine ever had was the pan gasket and my oil consumption was in the 7,000-mile per quart range. My engine now has zero oil leaks and has been that way for over 2 years since I did the pan gasket. My oil consumption rate has increased over that 2 year period because it is burning the oil in the combustion chambers. How the oil gets into the combustion chamber is what needs to be evaluated. My rate is about 1L per 2,500 miles. I'd prefer it to be less, but it is what it is. I will change out the CCV system soon to see if it lowers the consumption rate. My car is an '06, so it has the catch-can separating system. I suspect the CCV on my car is worn out and passing oil into the intake.

OP, can you elaborate on replacement of the crankcase vent? What was done for that repair?

Nothing is leaking, other member responses, I can’t even...

Either way, I replaced all of this:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...11617531423kt1

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by elons335i

@Efthreeoh - you’re the n52 expert. What do I do here?

Efthreeoh

There is a oil consumption procedure called out in the newtis.com. I've not yet reviewed the procedure. But keep and eye on the rate of oil consumption change. Write down date and mileage when the 1 quart notification comes up. Then write down the date and mileage you add a new quart. Record several instances of 1-quart oil adds and then analyze for a trend. I don't think your consumption is worrisome at this point.

How is the engine running?

[elons335i]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

There is a oil consumption procedure called out in the newtis.com. I've not yet reviewed the procedure. But keep and eye on the rate of oil consumption change. Write down date and mileage when the 1 quart notification comes up. Then write down the date and mileage you add a new quart. Record several instances of 1-quart oil adds and then analyze for a trend. I don't think your consumption is worrisome at this point.

How is the engine running?

I think n52 is absolutely stunning, in essence it is 30 years of inline six improvements with one final hurrah before boosting and electrification ruined the brand. More on that later...

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by elons335i

Nothing is leaking, other member responses, I can’t even...

Either way, I replaced all of this:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...11617531423kt1

I've read where the CCV separator in the plastic valve cover can go bad. Is the valve cover original?.

My plastic-head N52 in my Z4 is still well over just a 1/4 quart every 10,000 miles. That engine is at 93,000. It has the same CCV as your engine.

I'd not start worrying just yet.

[elons335i]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I've read where the CCV separator in the plastic valve cover can go bad. Is the valve cover original?.

It’s an 07. Metal cover. It’s an e61.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by elons335i

It’s an 07. Metal cover. It’s an e61.

Ah, E61. Didn't catch that. Did you replace the drain tube from the separator to the oil pan?

I'm hitting the road I'll check in later....

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by ducatiti

Too add, the viscosity of the new oil has a more probability of seeping thru.

here we go more flat earth theories..

[Pladi]

your oil consumption is high and not normal. My turbo car does not consume even close to that.

If ur not leaking you either have 1, bad PCV, 2 , bad compression /blowby, or bad valve seals in which case u usually should see blue smoke when de-accel.

[N52bigblock]

Worn valve stem seals are an issue on N52, and most other BMW engines. I have replaced quite a few before. The last set i did was on an N63 in an X6. They don't really "wear" as such but the rubber goes hard and shrinks creating a poor seal, just like BMWs gaskets really. It's bloody annoying how they can't make decent seals/gaskets. 1qt for 2k miles doesn't seem too bad though. They are not very easy to replace unfortunately.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Do you drive your car in upper RPMS alot,if so that can be a factor in your consumption rate.

[Efthreeoh]

Speaking of oil leaks...

Just found my rack is leaking on the right side...

Maybe it's time to part this thing out

[elons335i]

Before we go down the rings path, I’d like to clarify that the car has asked for one top off since the PCV job, so some of the consumption is inevitably prior to the replacement. Digital dipstick is, well, I’m not a fan. I will report back on the consumption if it demands additional oil.

I intially asked about snake oil assuming there may be some carbon build up after 180k.

Driving style. It’s a daily. I’m of an opinion that old bmws were made for driving .

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by elons335i

Before we go down the rings path, I’d like to clarify that the car has asked for one top off since the PCV job, so some of the consumption is inevitably prior to the replacement. Digital dipstick is, well, I’m not a fan. I will report back on the consumption if it demands additional oil.

I intially asked about snake oil assuming there may be some carbon build up after 180k.

Driving style. It’s a daily. I’m of an opinion that old bmws were made for driving .

Digital oil read out is SHIT SHIT SHIT. I dont care what some fan boys say. Its a horrible design /idea. Its slow and new users of bmw cars can easily overfill.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by elons335i

Before we go down the rings path, I’d like to clarify that the car has asked for one top off since the PCV job, so some of the consumption is inevitably prior to the replacement. Digital dipstick is, well, I’m not a fan. I will report back on the consumption if it demands additional oil.

I intially asked about snake oil assuming there may be some carbon build up after 180k.

Driving style. It’s a daily. I’m of an opinion that old bmws were made for driving .

Well you jumped the gun then, you may have fixed the problem. Wait and see and yes I would do a compression test if you really want a good picture