[NorthernCAE90]

Hey all,

So im driving home tonight and I merge on to my home freeway and as im turning onto the freeway I notice the little Triangle sign is illuminated suggesting something wrong. So I scratch my head for a sec & then I scroll through the bc stalk or what ever its called and I check Check system and oil sign pops up. I check oil and it says +1. Ok so.......

A. I notice about 2 weeks ago when I decided it was time to order oil change materials that when checking my E-Dip-stick it showed the meter at 50% when it always was just to the left of the right bar. So I figured eh the engine prob consumes a little oil. But then I see this saying +1 quart and im like ok theres gotta be a leak some where. Being that Ive driven 6k since It was lasted changed I don't think it was consuming that much oil that quick. Guessing im gonna go check out the oil filter gasket, that looks like its pretty common to go out. Any other ideas?

B. Can I add any of the BMW specific oils? (mobil 1 0w 40, Castrol 5-30 or what ever) probably would go with mobil 1 because I used it in my benz but I just want to make sure I can add it to my oil. Not sure whats in my engine as last time it was changed was when I bought it.

Thanks all

[MasterWang]

Just take it to the nearest BMW dealership.
Mine topped off my oil and windshield wiper fluid for free, didn't even step out of the car.

[marc@x-ph.com]

+1, they top it off for free so take it in

if you've consumed 1quart in 6k then as far as BMW is concerned your oil consumption is within spec.

[marc@x-ph.com]

one more thing, it doesn;t hurt to look for oil residue under the hood. plastic under tray, oil filter housing etc..

[_Sinister_]

I had the same issue and filled mine up as well but said low again after 2 weeks I changed my oil and spark plugs and hasn't happened since

[kfrazie1]

I believe BMW considers 1 quart every 800 miles normal. Someone posted it on here somewhere.

[9352e90]

Originally Posted by kfrazie1

I believe BMW considers 1 quart every 800 miles normal. Someone posted it on here somewhere.

I think 1 quart per 800 miles is on the high side, I usually have to add 1 quart every 3,000 - 4,000 miles, which from what I've heard is pretty normal

[NorthernCAE90]

Ok good knowledge to know that these motors eat some oil.Thanks all for advice And i checked under the hood for oil residue and couldn't find any, was clean as a whistle, well a dusty whistle.

I doubt my local dealership will do that for me.

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by NorthernCAE90

Ok good knowledge to know that these motors eat some oil.Thanks all for advice And i checked under the hood for oil residue and couldn't find any, was clean as a whistle, well a dusty whistle.

I doubt my local dealership will do that for me.

Oil consumption without any visible sign of external leaks can be due to (from cheapest to most expensive to fix).

1) Bad PCV valve ($25 for parts).
2) Leak around the valve stem seals
3) Worn out piston rings

I'd replace the PCV valve first if there are no visible signs of oil leak.

If it doesn't resolve your issue, then do a leak down test to know whether your piston rings or valve stem seals are shot. In either case, it'd probably be cheaper to replace your engine with a used one rather than repairing, but at 1qt every 6000 miles, I'd just top it off every once in a while.

[yarviinn]

Originally Posted by 9352e90

I think 1 quart per 800 miles is on the high side, I usually have to add 1 quart every 3,000 - 4,000 miles, which from what I've heard is pretty normal

+1

I would like to smoke some of what you're smoking if it's 1 quart per 800 miles

[mikolo-n54]

I've dealt with it all.. valve stems, turbos, rear main seal, mechatronics seal, oil filter housing gasket. Something is just bound to be leaking on these cars aha

[GoRomeo]

for sure...

Mine has been over 7k miles since I changed my oil and I have VCG medium leak. My e dipstick still shows oil in between Min and Max.

[edirtaynine]

1qrt of oil for every 800 miles is retarded. that is not something that should be part of "gotta pay to play"... thats just being a blind consumer.

[kfrazie1]

Originally Posted by 9352e90

I think 1 quart per 800 miles is on the high side, I usually have to add 1 quart every 3,000 - 4,000 miles, which from what I've heard is pretty normal

Originally Posted by yarviinn

+1

I would like to smoke some of what you're smoking if it's 1 quart per 800 miles

Originally Posted by edirtaynine

1qrt of oil for every 800 miles is retarded. that is not something that should be part of "gotta pay to play"... thats just being a blind consumer.

I agree it does seem rediculous for 1 quart per 800 miles to be considered normal. I burn about 1 qt per 1000 miles.

Here's a copy of someones repair report with the 1 qt/ 800 mile statement.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...92&postcount=4

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by kfrazie1

I agree it does seem rediculous for 1 quart per 800 miles to be considered normal. I burn about 1 qt per 1000 miles.

Here's a copy of someones repair report with the 1 qt/ 800 mile statement.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...92&postcount=4

A quart every 1000 miles is still alot unless you forgot a 0. Why even change your oil, by the time it's ready you've probably already replaced all the oil in the engine. I usually need to add a quart every 10000 or so and I usually just change the oil when the add a quart warning comes up.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

A quart every 1000 miles is still alot unless you forgot a 0. Why even change your oil, by the time it's ready you've probably already replaced all the oil in the engine. I usually need to add a quart every 10000 or so and I usually just change the oil when the add a quart warning comes up.

Me too, and I have a leak... low oil warning light means oil change to me basically.

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Me too, and I have a leak... low oil warning light means oil change to me basically.

Where's it leaking? I had like 2 or 3 valve cover bolts that broke and I replaced them and fixed the leak. This was about 20k miles ago and it's still not leaking. I still have some extra valve cover bolts if anyone needs some. The broken bolts were easy to get out you just need something small enough to turn them.

I also have the oil filter housing leak I haven't got to fixing that yet. It only leaks a little bit, if I clean the oil it stays clean for a few thousand miles.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

Where's it leaking? I had like 2 or 3 valve cover bolts that broke and I replaced them and fixed the leak. This was about 20k miles ago and it's still not leaking. I still have some extra valve cover bolts if anyone needs some. The broken bolts were easy to get out you just need something small enough to turn them.

I also have the oil filter housing leak I haven't got to fixing that yet. It only leaks a little bit, if I clean the oil it stays clean for a few thousand miles.

ha thanks man, I appreciate it. Mine appear to be leaking from the left side (if you are in front of car) by the exhaust manifold. Hopefully I have the same issue as you. How did you get bolts out? They are torx kind right? What did u use?

My oil fliter housing is NOT leaking just yet. Looks clean and no oil around it.

Cheers!

[_Sinister_]

I've noticed alot of people saying their oil filter housing started leaking oil.... Remember the rule of thumb tighten counter clock wise one turn to feel the threads lock in so as to not crossthread the cap. This works for every tipe of thread tightening hope everyone uses this when working on their cars.

[techietaichi]

Hey OP. I use Mobil 1 "European Car Formula" whenever I get down a quart and that's usually before I'm due for a full blown oil change. It's great in the interim and you should suffer no problems at all as you already know with your Benz. Have at 'em man.

[_Sinister_]

Originally Posted by techietaichi

Hey OP. I use Mobil 1 "European Car Formula" whenever I get down a quart and that's usually before I'm due for a full blown oil change. It's great in the interim and you should suffer no problems at all as you already know with your Benz. Have at 'em man.

Same formula I use! Always have used it on all my past cars.

[aeilers]

I change my oil every 6K miles, but like clock work right at the 5K mark I need to put in a Quart due to the warning.