[gpb]

New to me 2010 E93 and I'd like to do an oil analysis prior to the next oil change interval. I don't really want to do an early oil change and am not sure I trust a dealer mechanic to pull a sample for me mid-stream. Call it a control issue but I'd prefer to pull the sample myself.

On other vehicles it'd be easy enough to pull a sample through the dipstick tube. With no dipstick, I'm not sure how to proceed.

Any suggestions? I searched but came up empty handed.

[F32Fleet]

Nope.

[raceyBMW]

You might be able to pull the filter cap off and lift the filter out to get some pooled oil in there (and keep the oil that's drained from the filter), depending on how much you need...but that is probably about it.

I attempted to do this before my last oil change, but it seemed too messy of a task; especially with a hot engine/oil. Anyway, my intended plan was to cut the top off of a milk jug or oil jug, let a couple quarts of oil run out, grab the sample, and then quickly put the drain plug back in. Then of course, return the caught oil back into the fill hole...as I mentioned though, I lost confidence given the potential for making a huge mess in my garage, even with quite a large catch pan underneath lol

[NoTempoLimitN54]

YES. Buy the suction pump oil sample kit from Blackstone, and an oil filter cap wrench.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/vacuum-pump.php

You'll also need a 27mm socket and a torque wrench (25 N•m) if you don't have them.

Pull the filter (leave on cap housing) and use the tubing (cut down) to suck oil out from the oil filter housing. You have to work fast before it drains away. You can definitely get enough for a UOA sample.

I did this successfully about a month ago. The only thing to keep in mind is that your wear metals in analysis may be slightly higher because you are sampling where the oil is being filtered. But the results are still valid.

[F32Fleet]

Just an fyi. Without the published condemnation levels from BMW for your engine a single pass UOA is of limited value in terms of wear metals.

[gpb]

Thanks folks.

NoTempoLimitN54: great thought - I have a MityVac so it shouldn't be difficult to pull a sample.

Socom: interesting point. My intent is to get a feel for where the internals stand, so I'd wanted to catch a sample of this used oil and then do another UOA at around 7500mi into the next oil, comparing the results of the two. The caveat being that most of the miles on this oil were put on by a former owner, so that limits the comparison.

[NoTempoLimitN54]

Blackstone provides "universal averages" which is the wear metals in ppm from other similar engines. So you do have something to compare to. You can also confirm viscosity from the sample.

If you sample consistently, you can compare wear metals and see how different oils and additives affect that.

That's how I figured out on my high mileage E39 that adding ZDDP and Moly noticeably decreased engine wear.

Yes - an engine oil additive that works!