Oil Question ?

MarkXi04 · 09-05-2008, 09:11 AM

Hey all,

I've come across an interesting issue and would love if someone could clarify it for me.

I have a 2004 330Ci and lately, when I would turn off the ignition the yellow oil light would come on all the time. I decided to check the oil level and indeed it was at the minimum. I still have 7000 KMs until the next oil service so I thought maybe there an oil leak.

I went to the dealer and spoke to a tech. advisor and he said it's very normal that the car uses some of the oil since it's done every 20,000 KMs unlike other cars at 4K-6K. He said it's always a good idea to have 1L oil bottle in the trunk and top it off when needed.

Is it true ? Or is there a possible oil leakage problem ?

Any help is much appreciated !

shady3one3 · 09-05-2008, 11:07 AM

Some 330's do consume a lot of oil, but it would be a good idea to verify that there or no leaks anywhere. How many miles are on the motor?

MarkXi04 · 09-05-2008, 11:45 AM

52K miles. Is there an easy way to verify for leaks other than taking the engine shield off at the bottom ?

MarkXi04 · 09-06-2008, 01:06 AM

Anyone else has any input ?

shady3one3 · 09-06-2008, 09:31 AM

Not really. You need to look around the oil pan.

Dreamliner330 · 09-15-2008, 12:36 PM

my yellow light came on last night too...only 41k.

mkodama · 09-21-2008, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

my yellow light came on last night too...only 41k.

That usually just means your oil is low. Go check the dipstick, and if indeed it is low, add the proper amount of oil. And never skip your oil changes or routine services.

Steve@ASPTuning · 09-21-2008, 02:43 AM

The newer E90's eat oil too... I have also have a 2006 323i and at only 23K it said fill up 1L...
I don't think its a serious issue but if it happens more than often I'd get it checked.

Could be a bad sign that the piston rings are slowly going....

Steve
ASPTuning

bmwguy330 · 01-31-2009, 02:44 AM

my light comes on about 10 sec after i start the car. then it stays on for 5 sec or so then goes out. I have 4500 miles till my next oil change. Could it be doing this as a reminder that the oil change is coming up? i revved the motor and let it go back to idle and monitored it and the light never came back on. so i started the car again and it did the same.

kkmlo9 · 01-31-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwguy330

my light comes on about 10 sec after i start the car. then it stays on for 5 sec or so then goes out. I have 4500 miles till my next oil change. Could it be doing this as a reminder that the oil change is coming up? i revved the motor and let it go back to idle and monitored it and the light never came back on. so i started the car again and it did the same.

this may be a different issue. if you've checked your oil level and it is indeed fine (ie. not low) and your oil indicator light come on briefly at start up.. then there's a very good chance it's simply a fault oil level sensor. I have the exact problem. As long as your oil level is fine, this isn't an urgent fix if you don't mind the annoying light. But if you'd like to fix this, you can buy a new oil level sender and replace the old one at your next oil change. it is located on the oil pan, you can lookup DIY for more info.

F1004fun · 02-04-2009, 08:41 PM

BMW had a lot of oil level sensors problems. If you get the yellow light and you are low on oil then yeah thats normal, but if you get the yellow light after starting the car and you are topped off on oil then you need a new sensor. Change it out on your next oil service to save on overlapping labor. And if you get the yellow light after doing an oil change and your certain that you put oil in it.... don't worry it takes a while to fill the little hole in the sensor.

09-05-2008, 09:11 AM	#1
MarkXi04 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Quebec Posts: 146 My Ride: 325 Ci View My Garage	Oil Question ? Hey all, I've come across an interesting issue and would love if someone could clarify it for me. I have a 2004 330Ci and lately, when I would turn off the ignition the yellow oil light would come on all the time. I decided to check the oil level and indeed it was at the minimum. I still have 7000 KMs until the next oil service so I thought maybe there an oil leak. I went to the dealer and spoke to a tech. advisor and he said it's very normal that the car uses some of the oil since it's done every 20,000 KMs unlike other cars at 4K-6K. He said it's always a good idea to have 1L oil bottle in the trunk and top it off when needed. Is it true ? Or is there a possible oil leakage problem ? Any help is much appreciated !

09-15-2008, 12:36 PM	#6
Dreamliner330 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,834 My Ride: 330xi View My Garage	my yellow light came on last night too...only 41k. __________________ *-Nick* *I got your stimulus package...right here.* *Let us join together and participate in collecting FREE mod's in one place...(clicky)* ***WTB: TIAG SEDAN FACELIFTED HOOD / SIDESKIRTS / BUMPER*** e46 xi extensive suspension overhaul replacement parts list.

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09-05-2008, 11:07 AM	#2
shady3one3 Banned Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: VA Posts: 24,408 My Ride: gets replaced soon. View My Garage	Some 330's do consume a lot of oil, but it would be a good idea to verify that there or no leaks anywhere. How many miles are on the motor?

09-05-2008, 11:45 AM	#3
MarkXi04 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Quebec Posts: 146 My Ride: 325 Ci View My Garage	52K miles. Is there an easy way to verify for leaks other than taking the engine shield off at the bottom ?

09-06-2008, 01:06 AM	#4
MarkXi04 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Quebec Posts: 146 My Ride: 325 Ci View My Garage	Anyone else has any input ?

09-06-2008, 09:31 AM	#5
shady3one3 Banned Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: VA Posts: 24,408 My Ride: gets replaced soon. View My Garage	Not really. You need to look around the oil pan.

09-21-2008, 02:43 AM	#8
Steve@ASPTuning ASPTuning Join Date: May 2008 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 570 My Ride: 01' 320i View My Garage	The newer E90's eat oil too... I have also have a 2006 323i and at only 23K it said fill up 1L... I don't think its a serious issue but if it happens more than often I'd get it checked. Could be a bad sign that the piston rings are slowly going.... Steve ASPTuning

01-31-2009, 02:44 AM	#9
bmwguy330 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Leesburg Fl Posts: 310 My Ride: 2001 bmw 330ci View My Garage	my light comes on about 10 sec after i start the car. then it stays on for 5 sec or so then goes out. I have 4500 miles till my next oil change. Could it be doing this as a reminder that the oil change is coming up? i revved the motor and let it go back to idle and monitored it and the light never came back on. so i started the car again and it did the same.

02-04-2009, 08:41 PM	#11
F1004fun Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern CA Posts: 165 My Ride: '02 330Ci View My Garage	BMW had a lot of oil level sensors problems. If you get the yellow light and you are low on oil then yeah thats normal, but if you get the yellow light after starting the car and you are topped off on oil then you need a new sensor. Change it out on your next oil service to save on overlapping labor. And if you get the yellow light after doing an oil change and your certain that you put oil in it.... don't worry it takes a while to fill the little hole in the sensor.