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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > DIY Guides > DIY - E90 Oil Change (with Pics! - 56K Beware)



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      02-28-2011, 12:29 PM   #287
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hookah66 View Post
I guess I wasn't clear:...I do my oil change fully lifted up, NOT on a jack, I have access to a private garage's lift. I was comparing to my e46 when I used to do the oil change in exact same manner. It doesn't matter how close or far you place the oil drain pan in relation to the vehicle drain spout, it splashes into the undercarriage. My e93 gets splashed all with oil, while my old e46 drained flawlessly. Once I took apart the undercarriage entire section, after the Open Road did my CBS annual oil change, and they also splashed oil into the undercarriage, even more than me. I ended up wiping and cleaned it off. Then dam opening where the flap is attached is just too small, I know it snaps off, but then what????... it still gets splashed.
I change my oil on a lift as well. What kind of drain pan are you using? My under-lift drain pan is funnel shaped and never splashes back up on to the undercarriage. I guess you just need to use brake clean afterwards.
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      02-28-2011, 01:28 PM   #288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ENINTY View Post
I change my oil on a lift as well. What kind of drain pan are you using? My under-lift drain pan is funnel shaped and never splashes back up on to the undercarriage. I guess you just need to use brake clean afterwards.
Sorry....May be I am not making myself clear..I have a e93, not an e90 which is a completely different animal, production date of 09/09, it is a 328i hard top convertible, and the oil flap SUCKS... it got nothing to do with the pan that you are using. It splashes into the undercarriage BEFORE it comes out unto the drain pan. Whether you use a funnel type, a bath tub, it splashes back into the plastic undercarriage, and it leaves a MESS...the dealers care less, cauz no one will notice this.
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      03-01-2011, 06:33 PM   #289
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hookah66 View Post
Sorry....May be I am not making myself clear..I have a e93, not an e90 which is a completely different animal, production date of 09/09, it is a 328i hard top convertible, and the oil flap SUCKS... it got nothing to do with the pan that you are using. It splashes into the undercarriage BEFORE it comes out unto the drain pan. Whether you use a funnel type, a bath tub, it splashes back into the plastic undercarriage, and it leaves a MESS...the dealers care less, cauz no one will notice this.
I get it now. I'm sure it has to do with the frame being different (cross members up front I guess?) that causes BMW to use a different under-engine belly pan for the cabrio. On the E90, the oil comes straight out with no problems. My appologies that I didn't understand the problem correctly. I'm thinking you should rig some type of splash shield out of an old plastic milk jug (maybe with magnets on it) to direct the oil away from the undercarriage.
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      04-05-2011, 08:11 PM   #290
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Does this DIY work equally well for an e90 w/ the N54 power plant (e90 chassis) ???
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      04-27-2011, 10:52 PM   #291
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Use the Mobil 1 also recommend by BMW, it's the best oil so far already approved by BMW.
I say it's the best because it has the SM rating rather than the old SL from the BMW oil. Introduced November 30, 2004

SM oils are designed to provide improved
oxidation resistance, improved deposit
protection, better wear protection, and
better low-temperature performance over
the life of the oil. Some SM oils may also
meet the latest ILSAC specification
and/or qualify as Energy Conserving

Whereas SL (BMW oil) For 2004 and older automotive engines
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      04-28-2011, 09:01 AM   #292
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Please see the attached list of approved oils. Mobil 1 0W40 specifically with BMW LL01 designation is the only oil from Mobil 1 series. LL01 is for North America. NOT all of the Mobil 1 Synthetic series is approved. For M (Motorsport engines) it got different oil spec's. The Mobile 1 0W40 w/LL01 designation is deeply discounted at your local Wal-Mart in quarts & gallon jugs. This is of course, if you adhere to the infamous BMW CBS (Condition Based Service) oil service intervals. In my case, because of my extra low mileage I will only qualify for one oil change not until the year 2013 under CBS! The last one was done in Sept 2010. So for the entire 2011 & 2012 I don't get a CBS based oil service. I have driven 20K miles since Sept 2009. I do on my own engine oil changes at least once a year using Mobil 1 0W40 w/BMW LL01 and oem Hengst oil filters.
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Last edited by hookah66; 04-28-2011 at 09:54 AM..
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      05-03-2011, 04:11 PM   #293
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I have done this by hand before and it was very simple to do. I used the Royal Purple and the filter was ordered online. In the end it was only like 15 bucks cheaper than my local dealer. So I just use them for right now. But this DIY was huge in walking be through my first BMW oil change. Thanks so much for this and the tips from the rest of the users in the thread.
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      06-15-2011, 02:00 AM   #294
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Can I use the mobile one 5-30 synthetic oil for my car. I have a 2006 325i. My friends told me that I have to use the BMW synthetic oil.
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      06-15-2011, 08:34 AM   #295
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synthetic Mobil 1 - 0W40 (LL01)

The product that you are looking under Mobil 1 Synthetic oil is 0W40 with designation LL01. I am not aware of any other viscosity under Mobil 1 Sythentic oil with LL01 designation. It is marked on the front label in small font. It is only available in quarts, not gallon jugs and it is heavily discounted at your local Walmart. If your particular Walmart don't carry it, it can be specially ordered by the store for you. I have done that, and within a week they sent two cartons to my Walmart in Boonton NJ at discounted pricing. Mobil 1 Sythentic oil 0W40 LL01 is part of their regular stocking, Walmart pricing is certainly a lot more competitive than AutoZone, PepBoys, etc....Good luck
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Last edited by hookah66; 06-15-2011 at 08:46 AM..
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      07-12-2011, 03:01 PM   #296
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I just did it and my oil filter cover was very hard to unscrew; I just broke a new Quaker oil Filter wrench! I also couldn't believe how much oil was left in the housing. I removed some of it using Scott towels.

*Not impressed with the design.*
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      08-07-2011, 05:25 PM   #297
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I used this thread to change my oil and found it relatively easy. I had trouble turning the Oil Filter cover and ruined two band wrenches. Since I need one of them for my other car I bought this one and it worked for me on the BMW.



Got it ay NAPA for about $7.00.

One thing I found puzzling was that I only put in six quarts and it says the oil level is OK. Not having a dip stick is ridiculous! I have to be down close to a quart, but the level says it's OK and will not give me a reading of how much is in there. I know I should add more, but have no idea how much.

I did use the OEM filter and used Mobil 1 0W40. Once I got the cover off the filter it was a fairly simple job. I went ahead and bought the Rhino 1200 lb ramps too. Wanted the bigger ones so I could put the 4Runner on them too if necessary.
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      08-09-2011, 08:08 AM   #298
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I used the filter tool and worked very easily. Why not buying this for 20 box and making your life easier?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-N...#ht_727wt_1165


Last edited by woodpecka; 08-10-2011 at 10:58 PM..
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      08-10-2011, 08:31 PM   #299
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodpecka View Post
I used the filter tool and worked very easil. Why not buying this for 20 box and making your life easier?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-N...#ht_727wt_1165

I need one of these.
I changed the oil last weekend and removing the filter cover was a pain.
the strap wrench finally did it, but it took a while and a lot of effort.
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      08-12-2011, 12:11 PM   #300
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Just buy the oil change kit from Tischer (getBMWparts.com) and add the oil filter cap wrench.
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      08-12-2011, 01:24 PM   #301
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thats awesome! thank you very much! i can help you out with the images and host them on my server. PM me.

would you mind making a DIY on how to change the other filters so we have a complete mini service here

- air filter
- oil filter
- cabine filter (activated charcoal air filter)

dunno if im missing something...
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      09-20-2011, 06:48 PM   #302
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I recently did my oil change after BMW dealer did it under the maintenance program. so i ended doing the research on the mileage intervals and i decided that i would change the oil at every 7500miles, surprising the oil was still pretty dirty, as well i cut open the oil filter to read it and i found some little flacks of metal but i think its normal. I'm thinking of running Mobil 0w-40 oil instead and see how the holds up with the 7500miles DIY was a great help
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      10-07-2011, 07:48 PM   #303
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Lucas...

check this addition to the approved list
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      10-07-2011, 11:00 PM   #304
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Hi,

I am having the same issue after I placed the oil filter rubber seal on, the oil leaked. I dont remember where the oil rubber seal should go. Do you know if it wraps around the very top of the oil filter cap or right above the threads? If you have picture of it, can you post?
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      10-17-2011, 08:52 AM   #305
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So I thought to chime on this one. On GetBMWParts.com they have a special for $69, my local mechanic works for the local BMW dealer and he charges $80. Is it worth it? I think not. I can spend the extra $10 and have it done.
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      11-07-2011, 06:12 PM   #306
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Hey is anyone getting a loss of oil and using Mobil 1 0w40? Not sure if the car is eating it or if it's a slow leak maybe gasket or drain bolt is tight enough?
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      11-17-2011, 12:23 AM   #307
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E90 Oil Change (DIY)


Based on the excellent write up and photos provided by e90wraith in his 9/22/2005 input, I decided to change the oil in my 2006 3 Series 330i. I did a dry run first, making sure I had all the tools and filters, etc. I do have one question, which right now is a show stopper.

I tried to loosen the square oil filler cap but it would not rotate. I did notice a separate plastic part located at one corner of the cap which was held in place with a steel pin. I'm not sure if this is a locking mechanism, but I did not want to force anything, so I will wait for an answer.

Below are two photos of the oil filler cap and the plastic part in one corner held in place by a steel pin. Any help describing how to remove the filler cap will certainly be appreciated.
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      11-20-2011, 02:09 PM   #308
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Just changed my oil and have 2 questions now.

I was able to get the oil filter cap/housing off just by hand. Car came from factory like this and first change.4500 miles.

It was tough but i have death grip so i got it loose without tools. First question is, can I just hand tighten it back? Or does it have to to torqued?

I drove about 4 miles after and didn't see leaks so it shouldn't leak then, right?

Second question is I poured in all 7 qts and it's showing a tad below max line. Why am I reading that people are getting max readings pouring in 6-6.5 qts?

I have a 7.5 qt drain pan and when oil was out, it was filled to the every top of the brim. Even moving the pan from under the car caused me to spill alot which took longer to clean than the actual change.
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