Oil Level Display

Crusader · 12-14-2011, 09:37 AM

I just did an oil change @ 7,500 miles, had a problem with the filter because my local stealer parts guy gave me the wrong one. So, I went with six quarts in the crankcase, put the old filter back in, and figured I'd top off the oil when I installed the new correct filter the following day.

Much to my surprise the oil level reported the oil at "max" despite being almost a quart down. I know the crankcase holds 6.9 US quarts. Put in 1/2 quart and still "max." So what is my oil level sensor telling me? Is it malfunctioning? Does it read incrementally (by 1/4 qt, or some other fraction) or just max or min? This is a non-Idrive 328i.

Having a full crankcase is a good thing for engine cooling and maintaining pressure under high lateral loads. Too much oil (I suspect more than a quart of overfill) and you create problems as the crank beats the oil into a frothy brew. Service guy at the dealer recommends 6.75 quarts, near enough. It'd be nice to accurately determine oil level and my sensor hardly seems to do that. Is this everyone's experience?

mike3000fl · 12-15-2011, 11:42 PM

the distance between min and max is 1qt. it is incremental in stages, not sure how many, at least 4 or 5 though. you usually don't add oil unless it tells you too, even if it is close to min.

Glim · 12-16-2011, 12:44 AM

An oil filter holds around .5 to .75 of a quart of oil, a full oil change expected you to also change the filter which allows for this amount to soak into the new filter.

When you change your oil filter please check your oil level after running the engine for 20 seconds, it will probably read half way between min and max.

Glim · 12-16-2011, 02:59 AM

The oil level displays in quarter increments.

Crusader · 12-16-2011, 08:41 AM

Actually, the filter cartridge retains very little oil, maybe a couple ounces tops, when allowed to drain. I added 1/2 quart with the new filter ... no change. I'm beginning to suspect a faulty oil level sensor. Problem is, there's really no way to check other than drain the oil and measure how much came out. Ah for a dipstick like my old E39.

Glim · 12-16-2011, 12:27 PM

Check out this thread, it covers this question from every angle (and then some)

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=559730

12-14-2011, 09:37 AM	#1
Crusader Private First Class 15 Rep 158 Posts Drives: E92 M-sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southeast iTrader: (0)	Oil Level Display I just did an oil change @ 7,500 miles, had a problem with the filter because my local stealer parts guy gave me the wrong one. So, I went with six quarts in the crankcase, put the old filter back in, and figured I'd top off the oil when I installed the new correct filter the following day. Much to my surprise the oil level reported the oil at "max" despite being almost a quart down. I know the crankcase holds 6.9 US quarts. Put in 1/2 quart and still "max." So what is my oil level sensor telling me? Is it malfunctioning? Does it read incrementally (by 1/4 qt, or some other fraction) or just max or min? This is a non-Idrive 328i. Having a full crankcase is a good thing for engine cooling and maintaining pressure under high lateral loads. Too much oil (I suspect more than a quart of overfill) and you create problems as the crank beats the oil into a frothy brew. Service guy at the dealer recommends 6.75 quarts, near enough. It'd be nice to accurately determine oil level and my sensor hardly seems to do that. Is this everyone's experience?
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12-15-2011, 11:42 PM	#2
mike3000fl Banned 140 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	the distance between min and max is 1qt. it is incremental in stages, not sure how many, at least 4 or 5 though. you usually don't add oil unless it tells you too, even if it is close to min.
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12-16-2011, 12:44 AM	#3
Glim Captain 23 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2013 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	An oil filter holds around .5 to .75 of a quart of oil, a full oil change expected you to also change the filter which allows for this amount to soak into the new filter. When you change your oil filter please check your oil level after running the engine for 20 seconds, it will probably read half way between min and max.
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12-16-2011, 02:59 AM	#4
Glim Captain 23 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2013 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	The oil level displays in quarter increments.
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12-16-2011, 08:41 AM	#5
Crusader Private First Class 15 Rep 158 Posts Drives: E92 M-sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southeast iTrader: (0)	Actually, the filter cartridge retains very little oil, maybe a couple ounces tops, when allowed to drain. I added 1/2 quart with the new filter ... no change. I'm beginning to suspect a faulty oil level sensor. Problem is, there's really no way to check other than drain the oil and measure how much came out. Ah for a dipstick like my old E39.
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12-16-2011, 12:27 PM	#6
Glim Captain 23 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2013 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	Check out this thread, it covers this question from every angle (and then some) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=559730
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