[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

First off, with an N52/N54 you can not get an oil measurement with the engine not running and the correct level is not determined until at least 20 minutes of drive cycle time. There is a static oil measurement performed by the CBS (e-dipstick system) that determines there is oil in the engine, but it does not report an actual oil level.

Second, you are thinking backwards. On engines with mechanical dipsticks, after an oil change if you add the manufacturers specified amount of engine oil upon refilling the engine block and not starting it, the mechanical dipstick can show a higher level of engine oil because the oil has not yet flowed through the system and filled the oil filter and oil pump (dependent on engine design of course). That is what causes the confusion with mechanics who have experience with just a mechanical dipstick engine. The oil refill procedure for most mechanical dipstick engines mechanics use is drain the oil and change the filter, then refill the engine short of its full compliment of new oil, run the engine for a few minutes to get the new oil flowed through the block, then top off the oil level. If you follow that procedure with an N52/N54, you can risk over-filling the engine with oil because the system takes at least 20 minutes of driving (i.e. not just idling) to establish the new oil level. The correct procedure for the N52/54 is to open the oil filter housing cap, drain the oil with the car level, remove the residual oil from the OFH, change the filter, then refill with 6.9 quarts of oil. That's it, no short-fill and then top off. I've done 41 oil changes on the N52 engine.

I suggest you read the link I posted it goes into detail as how the N52/N54 oil level system (sensor), it's called OZS, works.

Wait are you sure about that? When I done my oil change and let the car idle on flat surface for like 5 minutes I get an accurate reading. The car has 2 reading modes, one where it's idle and one that you get when you drive so that way you can always monitor it. There is also a pre warning message to tell if you if oil level is sufficient enough to start the engine to then measure.

The idle one pretty sure is as accurate or even more than the one when driving.

[tisdrew]

Ignoring all the pedantry above, a $800-1000 for changing the oil pan gasket is worth it. It is recommended to drop the subframe and suspend the engine...fuck that. It's ~6-8 hours on a lift and more like 15 on jackstands so ballpark $100/hr labor which is a normal and reasonable rate. Pay the money and smile as you drive away.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

But it should always be there nonetheless.

Well, I thought that too for a long time, but really I've learned to not miss the mechanical dipstick. I still have 2 cars with mechanical dipsticks, it's not that big of a deal either way IMO.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by relative4

You don't replace the pan, just the gasket. Those prices seem pretty low to me.

OP has a RWD car.

they have steel pans that can corrode.
and the labor is cheaper because there's no driveshaft through the pan like an XI.

OP, your shits fine.
the bar graph is only accurte to a 1/4 liter. if you were right at the bottom of the 3/4 range then just having it read while slightly off level could show it now at the 2/4 mark.

leave it be until it hits the 0/4 mark and prompts you to add a quart.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Well, I thought that too for a long time, but really I've learned to not miss the mechanical dipstick. I still have 2 cars with mechanical dipsticks, it's not that big of a deal either way IMO.

I'm saying having both. Like the new m850i. Has both electronic and mechanical dipstick and so will the news cars since now it's basically almost all the same engine.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Wait are you sure about that? When I done my oil change and let the car idle on flat surface for like 5 minutes I get an accurate reading. The car has 2 reading modes, one where it's idle and one that you get when you drive so that way you can always monitor it. There is also a pre warning message to tell if you if oil level is sufficient enough to start the engine to then measure.

The idle one pretty sure is as accurate or even more than the one when driving.

I posted how it determines a new oil level from a cold engine. The engine has to see a lateral and longitudinal G forces and road speed to calculate the correct oil level.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I posted how it determines a new oil level from a cold engine. The engine has to see a lateral and longitudinal G forces and road speed to calculate the correct oil level.

The level will be as accurate if you let it idle on a level surface and rev it up to around 1100 RPM for a few minutes. TIS says to do that after oil change then top up. If that wouldn't be 100% accurate then I don't think it would tell you to top up.

Where is your information you got that it needs to drive to be accurate.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

The level will be as accurate if you let it idle on a level surface and rev it up to around 1100 RPM for a few minutes. TIS says to do that after oil change then top up. If that wouldn't be 100% accurate then I don't think it would tell you to top up.

Where is your information you got that it needs to drive to be accurate.

I have two documents on the OZS that are on my home computer. But the link I posted earlier in this thread was written using the information from those documents. One document is a BMW N52 familiarization training document, the other is specific to the sensor.

The TIS says to idle, rev, and check the oil level and top up the oil level for every model engine oil change procedure. A lot of what I posted is based on my observation the e-dipstick behavior during 12 years of ownership and related back to the technical information in the documents I cited. The OZS has a built-in oil temperature probe in the base of the sensor, which is why the oil needs to be at operating emperature for the e-dipstick to show a reading. If you check the reading before the oil is warmed to temperature the display shows a spinning clock. If you change the oil on a hot engine, and refill the sump with the engine still warm, the oil gets up to temperature quickly, but the CBS has not gone through the time and drive cycle to update the oil level, and will give the last known (false) oil level reading. It needs 20 minutes and a drive cycle to update the level.

You can check this by adding a quart of oil after the +1 qt notification comes up, while the engine is hot, such as adding a quart of oil at a fuel stop, and then immediately check the oil level. The e-dipstick will still show the +1qt reading until the system updates. I've personally observed this with my E90.

Also, I've observed the system is designed and calibrated to compensate for the liquid volume difference between quarts or liters. In other words, when the +1qt notification comes up, a full liter of oil can be added to the engine sump and not trigger an over-fill warning. The e-dipstick is designed to use both quarts or liters as a top off unit of measure, which gets back to my earlier comment about the system is "accurate" but not necessarily "precise".

[tomgwuyn]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Do you have any history of oil consumption on your car? I'm losing approximately one quart every 1500-2000 miles. I have a leaky oil pan gasket but it's not dripping at all, confirmed with plastic covers removed from under the car for the past year and there are no drips on my garage floor or my parking space at work. With the engine running there is strong suction when removing my oil fill cap on the valve cover, so I suspect a faulty oil separator, also called a PCV valve or CCV on these cars. Being an 06 with a magnesium valve cover, the oil separator is external whereas the 07 and later cars have it integrated in the plastic valve cover. I have a new replacement on hand, awaiting installation.

No history of heavy oil consumption. I duly change it every 7500 miles. But there are minor drips on the floor always.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

The level will be as accurate if you let it idle on a level surface and rev it up to around 1100 RPM for a few minutes. TIS says to do that after oil change then top up. If that wouldn't be 100% accurate then I don't think it would tell you to top up.

Where is your information you got that it needs to drive to be accurate.

Static Oil Level Measurement At Engine OFF
This is only a reference measurement as the oil condition sensor (OZS) is flooded when the engine
is turned off and can only detect the minimum oil level. The oil level is measured correctly only
when the engine is running (see DYNAMIC OIL LEVEL MEASUREMENT DURING
VEHICLE OPERATION ).
After switching on the ignition, the static oil level measurement provides the driver with the
opportunity

Always perform the dynamic oil level measurement (app.. 5 minutes driving time) after an oil
change. The oil level could be misinterpreted as the oil level last stored is initially displayed after
an oil change.
No oil level is initially stored after replacing or reprogramming the engine control unit. "Oil level
below min" is therefore displayed. The correct oil level is indicated after running the engine for
app.. 5 minutes.
1. Start engine.
2. Select on-board computer function - "Check oil level".
ENGINE - OVERVIEW - N52 -2006 BMW 330i Page 62 of 73
http://www.shopkey5.com/mric/common/asp/printart.aspx 3/15/2012
The oil level is measured. A clock symbol may appear while the level measurement is
running. The clock symbol appears for up to 50 seconds after starting the engine when there
is no measured value or the long-term value last stored is not within the tolerance range of
the currently measured oil level

Synamic oil level measurement begins when following values are reached:
• Engine temperature > 60°C
• Engine speed > 1000 RPM
• Transverse and longitudinal acceleration < 4-5 m/s2
The transverse acceleration signal is supplied by the DSC. The longitudinal acceleration is
calculated from the speed and time factors.
ENGINE - OVERVIEW - N52 -2006 BMW 330i Page 63 of 73
http://www.shopkey5.com/mric/common/asp/printart.aspx 3/15/2012
Increase < 5% after covering a distance of app.. 200 m. The increase value is detected by the
ambient pressure sensor in the DME.
•
On reaching this value, the oil level indicator is updated approximately 5 minutes after starting
vehicle operation. The oil level is then continuously measured. The indicator is updated at 20
minute intervals. The "Check oil level" menu in connection with the dynamic oil level
measurement is exited while driving (vehicle speed > 0) app.. 15 seconds after the oil level is
displayed.

http://lindvigs.com/obioban/spec.pdf

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I have two documents on the OZS that are on my home computer. But the link I posted earlier in this thread was written using the information from those documents. One document is a BMW N52 familiarization training document, the other is specific to the sensor.

The TIS says to idle, rev, and check the oil level and top up the oil level for every model engine oil change procedure. A lot of what I posted is based on my observation the e-dipstick behavior during 12 years of ownership and related back to the technical information in the documents I cited. The OZS has a built-in oil temperature probe in the base of the sensor, which is why the oil needs to be at operating emperature for the e-dipstick to show a reading. If you check the reading before the oil is warmed to temperature the display shows a spinning clock. If you change the oil on a hot engine, and refill the sump with the engine still warm, the oil gets up to temperature quickly, but the CBS has not gone through the time and drive cycle to update the oil level, and will give the last known (false) oil level reading. It needs 20 minutes and a drive cycle to update the level.

You can check this by adding a quart of oil after the +1 qt notification comes up, while the engine is hot, such as adding a quart of oil at a fuel stop, and then immediately check the oil level. The e-dipstick will still show the +1qt reading until the system updates. I've personally observed this with my E90.

Also, I've observed the system is designed and calibrated to compensate for the liquid volume difference between quarts or liters. In other words, when the +1qt notification comes up, a full liter of oil can be added to the engine sump and not trigger an over-fill warning. The e-dipstick is designed to use both quarts or liters as a top off unit of measure, which gets back to my earlier comment about the system is "accurate" but not necessarily "precise".

Damn uh, it's just I'm flabbergasted if that's true. I would have to test it. Just doesn't make sense why would TIS say to refer to the oil gauge readout if it's not accurate and top up you know..

[tomgwuyn]

Finally I took it to an Indy today to have my Oil Pan gasket leak and Shocks fixed. He also mentioned about changing the Driveshaft and Fuel Pump assembly w/Orings changed.What does this mean?

[tomgwuyn]

Originally Posted by tomgwuyn

Finally I took it to an Indy today to have my Oil Pan gasket leak and Shocks fixed. He also mentioned about changing the Driveshaft and Fuel Pump assembly w/Orings changed.What does this mean?

He said that the rubber located near the driveshaft UJoint has gone bad. I am wondering whether it needs to be changed now.