Help with oil top up (idiot in your midst!)

Snooky · 02-18-2009, 05:32 PM

Folks

Oil light came on yesterday and having checked the computer saw it needs 1 litre of the good stuff. Picked up the Castrol Edge in Halfords on my way home today and have just gone to do the necessary outside. I opened the oil cover in the engine bay and it is unlike any car I have ever owned before.

I am completely non-technical but in previous cars and my wifes motor you can clearly see the 'hole' to pour the oil in. With the BMW it looks like I would be pouring the oil into a 'void' - not clear to me where I should aim

Someone put me out of my misery here please - am I being completely daft?

Thanks as ever!

willhollin · 02-18-2009, 05:34 PM

Under the "Castrol" badged cover? Just pour it in, use a clean funnel.

Just put a 1/4 litre in then check again.

zltm089 · 02-18-2009, 05:35 PM

I did it....open the oil cover and didn't even look inside...just poured the juice in!!!....1 litre!...NO MORE!...now its on OK status....and I'm happy!...:-)

Snooky · 02-18-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

Under the "Castrol" badged cover? Just pour it in, use a clean funnel.

Just put a 1/4 litre in then check again.

Yep. Under the Castrol badged cover Will - I'll try it as you suggest with just a 1/4 lite just now!

Cheers guys

Porscha! · 02-18-2009, 06:18 PM

Modern technology...

dxb335d · 02-18-2009, 06:30 PM

Sit in the drivers seat, to the left of the idrive is a rectangle shape in the dash, press it.

A hole comes out, pour oil into that mate.

doughboy · 02-19-2009, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zltm089

I did it....open the oil cover and didn't even look inside...just poured the juice in!!!....1 litre!...NO MORE!...now its on OK status....and I'm happy!...:-)

Why the topping up? do 335i's have a thirst for oil? that's derv territory?

My 330i has never moved from full in 48km miles? I wouldn't expect anything else from a well looked after modern petrol engine.

Where the hell has 1 litre gone in yor 335i's?

Also, when the oil pressure light comes on, that's a bit late IMO! as the pump is already sucking air in with the oil.

Tut Tut - should be checking it more often then!!

Mr Plum · 02-19-2009, 06:13 AM

My 335i does tend to use a bit of oil - regular checking definitely the key.

Carlos - I poured mine in to the one on the far side of the dashand it worked fine....

doughboy · 02-19-2009, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Plum

My 335i does tend to use a bit of oil - regular checking definitely the key.

Carlos - I poured mine in to the one on the far side of the dashand it worked fine....

I thought it went in the round hole under the armrest?

Take out the can of pop, pour in the oil then replace can of said pop.

xenon · 02-19-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

Also, when the oil pressure light comes on, that's a bit late IMO! as the pump is already sucking air in with the oil.

True, but the low-level light (yellow) comes on before the pressure light (red) assuming oil level is low i.e. before the pump starts scavenging.

doughboy · 02-19-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

True, but the low-level light (yellow) comes on before the pressure light (red) assuming oil level is low i.e. before the pump starts scavenging.

Oh good! means I won't have to keep checking then - wait for the yellow light!

If its a 'level' warning, how does that work? The sump is only full when the engine is off, so the sump 'level' would be low when running?

xenon · 02-19-2009, 06:36 AM

Yes, I think it "assumes" a quantity is up in the cylinder head and valve-gear. i.e. if the level falls below "x" then it's still going to be low even when the oil drains back to the sump and therefore light the yellow.

This is why on cars with electronic dipsticks it says the engine must be running before taking a reading - otherwise it over-reads.

clark192 · 02-19-2009, 07:16 AM

You shouldn't have to wait for the yellow warning light, just scroll through the maintenance part of the dash and check the oil level. It will give you an output after 5 miles of driving.

Also, my 325i eats oil. I usually have to top it off once inbetween 5,000 mile changes. I don't like it, but one of the SA was saying something about smaller tolerances leads to a molecular breakdown of the oil and in turn just burns the stuff off.

xenon · 02-19-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark192

You shouldn't have to wait for the yellow warning light, just scroll through the maintenance part of the dash and check the oil level. It will give you an output after 5 miles of driving.

Yes, if you have an electronic dipstick - not all E9x have.

marriedblonde · 02-19-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

Why the topping up? do 335i's have a thirst for oil? that's derv territory?

My 330i has never moved from full in 48km miles? I wouldn't expect anything else from a well looked after modern petrol engine.

Where the hell has 1 litre gone in yor 335i's?

Also, when the oil pressure light comes on, that's a bit late IMO! as the pump is already sucking air in with the oil.

Tut Tut - should be checking it more often then!!

The oil light comes on when it wants a litre of oil. So perfectly safe and definately not too late.

J.

Snooky · 02-19-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Sit in the drivers seat, to the left of the idrive is a rectangle shape in the dash, press it.

A hole comes out, pour oil into that mate.

Cheers for that Carl

Good news is that the car quite liked the Castrol Edge and seems satisfied for now.

For info, Ihave just gone through 10,000 miles so the 335i is about as thirsty for oil as my old Mark V Golf GTI.

Budgie · 02-19-2009, 04:42 PM

I just found my oil level in idrive...full up ...so i checked the dipstick..3/4 to full.Still got 10k till service and done 8k already since last one...so i guess petrol 330i/335i are heavy on the castrol?.

Mates golf amd chipped gti mk5 used to drink oil but then it used to get hammered to bolloxs.

G82Dude · 02-19-2009, 06:14 PM

Errr, did you take a look in the handbook? It's full of useful information...

Snooky · 02-20-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uke92dude

Errr, did you take a look in the handbook? It's full of useful information...

Of course I did!!! I just thought, having opened the oil cap it looked different from any other car I've had and just wantedto doublecheck on here rather than make a mistake.

I knew I was asking a silly question but also knew that no-one on this friendly forum would take the p1ss

beemerbird · 02-20-2009, 02:42 PM

I'd never have dreamt of saying 'owt in a piss taking way - honest.

02-18-2009, 05:32 PM	#1
Snooky Major 41 Rep 1,167 Posts Drives: Audi RS5 Sportback Carbon Blac Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Livingston, Scotland iTrader: (0)	Help with oil top up (idiot in your midst!) Folks Oil light came on yesterday and having checked the computer saw it needs 1 litre of the good stuff. Picked up the Castrol Edge in Halfords on my way home today and have just gone to do the necessary outside. I opened the oil cover in the engine bay and it is unlike any car I have ever owned before. I am completely non-technical but in previous cars and my wifes motor you can clearly see the 'hole' to pour the oil in. With the BMW it looks like I would be pouring the oil into a 'void' - not clear to me where I should aim Someone put me out of my misery here please - am I being completely daft? Thanks as ever! __________________ Still missing my E92 335i M Sport!
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02-18-2009, 05:34 PM	#2
willhollin Major General 272 Rep 9,914 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Under the "Castrol" badged cover? Just pour it in, use a clean funnel. Just put a 1/4 litre in then check again. __________________
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02-18-2009, 05:35 PM	#3
zltm089 Banned 261 Rep 7,686 Posts Drives: 335i SE Coupe Space Grey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LONDON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335i [10.00]	I did it....open the oil cover and didn't even look inside...just poured the juice in!!!....1 litre!...NO MORE!...now its on OK status....and I'm happy!...:-)
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02-18-2009, 06:18 PM	#5
Porscha! Should be on www.retrorides.com 98 Rep 3,573 Posts Drives: Porsche 944 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Derbyshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 1978 MG Midget 1500 [0.00] 1987 BMW E30 325i C ... [0.00]	Modern technology... __________________ "FIRE UP THA PORRSCHAAH" - The 80's are back! Front Engined Porsche
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02-18-2009, 06:30 PM	#6
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Sit in the drivers seat, to the left of the idrive is a rectangle shape in the dash, press it. A hole comes out, pour oil into that mate. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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02-19-2009, 06:13 AM	#8
Mr Plum A member 9 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport Touring Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Garden of England iTrader: (0)	My 335i does tend to use a bit of oil - regular checking definitely the key. Carlos - I poured mine in to the one on the far side of the dashand it worked fine....
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02-19-2009, 06:36 AM	#12
xenon Major General 1471 Rep 8,200 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Yes, I think it "assumes" a quantity is up in the cylinder head and valve-gear. i.e. if the level falls below "x" then it's still going to be low even when the oil drains back to the sump and therefore light the yellow. This is why on cars with electronic dipsticks it says the engine must be running before taking a reading - otherwise it over-reads. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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02-19-2009, 07:16 AM	#13
clark192 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 230 Posts Drives: 2006 325i (EU) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bahrain iTrader: (0)	You shouldn't have to wait for the yellow warning light, just scroll through the maintenance part of the dash and check the oil level. It will give you an output after 5 miles of driving. Also, my 325i eats oil. I usually have to top it off once inbetween 5,000 mile changes. I don't like it, but one of the SA was saying something about smaller tolerances leads to a molecular breakdown of the oil and in turn just burns the stuff off.
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02-19-2009, 04:42 PM	#17
Budgie Major 31 Rep 1,339 Posts Drives: X1 25D M sport Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: BEDS/CAMBS iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 X1 25 D M Sport [0.00]	I just found my oil level in idrive...full up ...so i checked the dipstick..3/4 to full.Still got 10k till service and done 8k already since last one...so i guess petrol 330i/335i are heavy on the castrol?. Mates golf amd chipped gti mk5 used to drink oil but then it used to get hammered to bolloxs.
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02-19-2009, 06:14 PM	#18
G82Dude - 294 Rep 2,612 Posts Drives: M4CMxD Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Errr, did you take a look in the handbook? It's full of useful information...
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02-20-2009, 02:42 PM	#20
beemerbird Major General 178 Rep 7,953 Posts Drives: Merc diesel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 TTRS [9.00] 2007 Audi S5 [0.00] May 2007 Porsche 99 ... [0.00] March 2007 Porsche ... [0.00] Sep. 2007 E92 335d SE [0.00] July 2006 E90 330i ... [0.00]	I'd never have dreamt of saying 'owt in a piss taking way - honest.
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