E90 325i using oil !

Mark e90 · 07-13-2014, 01:15 PM

I have just noticed that my electronic oil gauge had went from MAX to now one away from MIN. It has been 1800 miles and 6 month since I changed the oil and had it at MAX ( I do very little millage ). I read when it's at MIN you add 1 full litre so I have added 500ml but it hadn't moved the level still sitting in exact same spot !
My old car ( golf mk5 Gti ) used oil but this is widely known and accepted with that particular engine plus a lot easier to check the level as it had a dip stick.

What should I do. I'm concerned that I have topped up with 500ml and hasn't made a difference. It's just I have a long journey coming up and don't want to get caught short !

Oil I used when I done the last change was valvoline 5w30 fully synthetic. Also I have had a look under at the drain plug and no sight of any leaks. However the oil cap had a fair bit of oil round it but I wouldn't say any more that expected.

ykolin · 07-16-2014, 11:47 AM

I used to have similar problem.
During the oil change i put as much as recommended 6 quart. However, at the first drive after the oil change my oil level showed at low. I add a half of quart, and it never changed. i was driving for a couple of days thinking that the message will go away and it did not. I added the second half of quart and level did not change right away. Fortunately, after a few trips i guess computer retested on it's own and the oil level stabilized to normal.

Take your car for a few short trips 15-20 miles.

bmwsinceday1 · 07-16-2014, 06:12 PM

Thats the one nag I have about our cars- no dip stick you can TRUST.......

UncleWede · 07-21-2014, 09:36 AM

Carry a bottle with you when you go. Any more, I ignore it until it tells me for 3 days straight that my oil is low.

jayknow05 · 07-25-2014, 09:22 AM

Check around the oil filter housing as well as the valve cover.

woodpecka · 07-29-2014, 10:05 PM

Moisture issue in oil? Got the same problem a time ago. Changing the oil solved it.

08-01-2014, 01:24 AM

Most of the time when these cars are using oil, you have a oil leak,

Check the valve cover gasket especially the exhaust side right above the exhaust manifold, you should be able to see oil if its leaking, followed by oil filter housing gasket, those are the most common.

If it all looks clean move on to oil pan gasket/front and rear main seals.

07-13-2014, 01:15 PM	#1
Mark e90 Captain 110 Rep 716 Posts Drives: BMW e90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	E90 325i using oil ! I have just noticed that my electronic oil gauge had went from MAX to now one away from MIN. It has been 1800 miles and 6 month since I changed the oil and had it at MAX ( I do very little millage ). I read when it's at MIN you add 1 full litre so I have added 500ml but it hadn't moved the level still sitting in exact same spot ! My old car ( golf mk5 Gti ) used oil but this is widely known and accepted with that particular engine plus a lot easier to check the level as it had a dip stick. What should I do. I'm concerned that I have topped up with 500ml and hasn't made a difference. It's just I have a long journey coming up and don't want to get caught short ! Oil I used when I done the last change was valvoline 5w30 fully synthetic. Also I have had a look under at the drain plug and no sight of any leaks. However the oil cap had a fair bit of oil round it but I wouldn't say any more that expected. Attached Images __________________ BMW 325i M sport - Custom stainless exhaust ( 335i set up ) - Piano black interior trim - Gloss black kidney grills - Ferric grey 18" MV3 alloys -
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07-16-2014, 11:47 AM	#2
ykolin New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 325i 2006 e90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fort Lauderdale iTrader: (0)	I used to have similar problem. During the oil change i put as much as recommended 6 quart. However, at the first drive after the oil change my oil level showed at low. I add a half of quart, and it never changed. i was driving for a couple of days thinking that the message will go away and it did not. I added the second half of quart and level did not change right away. Fortunately, after a few trips i guess computer retested on it's own and the oil level stabilized to normal. Take your car for a few short trips 15-20 miles.
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07-16-2014, 06:12 PM	#3
bmwsinceday1 Private 1 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: fl iTrader: (0)	Thats the one nag I have about our cars- no dip stick you can TRUST.......
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07-21-2014, 09:36 AM	#4
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 17980 Rep 9,377 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Carry a bottle with you when you go. Any more, I ignore it until it tells me for 3 days straight that my oil is low.
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07-25-2014, 09:22 AM	#5
jayknow05 New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Check around the oil filter housing as well as the valve cover.
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07-29-2014, 10:05 PM	#6
woodpecka Major 68 Rep 1,026 Posts Drives: E91 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montreal iTrader: (2)	Moisture issue in oil? Got the same problem a time ago. Changing the oil solved it.
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08-01-2014, 01:24 AM	#7
RemovedUser Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Most of the time when these cars are using oil, you have a oil leak, Check the valve cover gasket especially the exhaust side right above the exhaust manifold, you should be able to see oil if its leaking, followed by oil filter housing gasket, those are the most common. If it all looks clean move on to oil pan gasket/front and rear main seals.
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