[romanonj]

I have 2007 X3 with N52 engine, bought it used, CPO with 38k on it, now approaching 102k and it runs great. One issue that I am struggling with is oil consumption.

Oil consumption has been an issue with this car since day one. Right after oil change, it is consuming roughly 1/4 of quart every 1000k miles. But as oil get older (3k after oil change), consumption increases and rate is 300-500 miles for every notch drop (.25 of a quart).

Have complained several times to my SA and each time he looked at it, and PVC, and oil cooler gaskets were not leaking.

CPO warranty expired in December, so on the last day I called and asked to have it checked again just to be certain. Several days back I get a call saying that nothing was discovered. They performed several tests, visual inspection and everything looks good. Then he said, we can do compression and leak down test and if nothing is discovered, I will be charged for these tests ($500). I authorize them to proceed, thinking that if something is discovered, then it will be fixed, and if everything comes back normal at least I have some peace of mind..

Well, nothing was discovered. The exact reading for compression was 231-232 psi across all cylinders. Leakdown was 11-14%, cylinder #6 being worst. SA stated that anything udner 20% is acceptable. Is that correct?

Also, can anyone please help me understand why oil consumption is increased? This pattern is observed with Mobil 1 High Mileage FS, Castrol FS, and BMW oil. I performed extra oil change between dealer changes at 7500 miles using one of the oils listed above.

My old 330i had 130k miles on it when it was sold and oil consumption was 1/2 quart between oil changes (7500 miles). Consumption did not increase, granted, 330 was driven very differntly than X3 (not dogged, just opend up almost daily). I am really puzzled here to what is causing this.

After I paid my dealer for these tests, I called BMW NA to try to get money back, they basically said take a long walk, you agreed to pay for it, so it is between you and your dealer.. Figured I would try..

Sorry for long post!

[mentos876]

well 1/4 of a quart every 500 miles is definitely too much .

I own a 2006 e90 330i , i change oil every 7500 miles. and usually 4k miles after the oil change i have to add 1/2 quart of oil .

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by mentos876

well 1/4 of a quart every 500 miles is definitely too much .

This is a bit of a gray area here.. Agreed, this it too much for you and I, but as I mentioned nothing was discovered and all tests come back within spec, then this is not too much for BMW... So I am up a $h1t creek with no paddle??

[Lagger1]

Few things:

Psi looks off. 230 seems high? IIRC it should be around 170-190

Leakdown also seems high. 14% may be acceptable, however, its going to increase with time

Also, considering you have no leaks (dealer verified), I assume the N52 is working harder to push that 4,000lb vessel opposed to the 330i, thus its burning oil at a faster rate. Its almost like towing a 600lb jetski on a E90 all the time, you're going to see consumption increase, both gas & oil

My suggestion is perform some preventative maintenance to offset this. Get new plugs, coolant, filters etc. to help minimize friction internally. Otherwise you're looking at a quart b/w fills every 2,000/miles, which I'd change at 4k. You should also look at fuel injector cleaning & possibly seafoam. Might help @ 102k. GL

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by Lagger1

My suggestion is perform some preventative maintenance to offset this. Get new plugs, coolant, filters etc. to help minimize friction internally. Otherwise you're looking at a quart b/w fills every 2,000/miles, which I'd change at 4k. You should also look at fuel injector cleaning & possibly seafoam. Might help @ 102k. GL

Thanks, I already did engine flush, and used LiquMoly engine protect with new oil change.

I also used Jectron from same company to clean injectors.. So lets see how that works..

[just4kickz]

i have a 2006 n52 (2005 build). 63k, 7 years old. i get oil changes anywhere from 5-8k miles or at the very least once a year if i don't drive too much. I HAVE NEVER needed to top off the oil... imo you probably have a problem somewhere... lol

[Johnny D]

You live in NJ. Is there not a second dealership or independent shop you can go get a second opinion at? The reason I ask is since you have already complained multiple times before your CPO ran out, and the dealer couldn't find anything, you may be covered still under that CPO if the second opinion finds an issue.

EDIT: I drive the piss out of my car and I burn close to a quart every 8-9k miles. Acceptable to me, but yours seems much more severe and I wouldn't rest until I found the issue.

[GoRomeo]

I have an 330i build in 05 too, changed my oil last August and even though I have a minor valve cover leak, oil level remains in the OK level. I think this pretty much depends on your driving habits too. The more agressive you drive the more oil you will consume.

[benzo23]

my old e90 with 90k on it use to burn a quart every 6k...I think with time and age these things like to drink oil, but your consumption sounds higher then normal

[Saintor]

Originally Posted by mentos876

well 1/4 of a quart every 500 miles is definitely too much .

That's what my engine takes. It is high but still within what is considered acceptable.

No carmaker will repair a engine at this level.

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by Saintor

That's what my engine takes. It is high but still within what is considered acceptable.

No carmaker will repair a engine at this level.

That's the problem, that if a dealer states that engine within the specs, than repairs will not be covered.. Most manufacturers acceptable specs are very broad. My SA mentioned that BMW won't even perform compression or leak down tests unless oil consumption is at quart for 700 miles.. So I can get 7 more opinions and all of them will still fall into "acceptable" range. My guess is that the engine was not properly broken in..

I am still not clear to why consumption increases after first several thousand miles.. Any scientific explanation behind it?

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by Johnny D

You live in NJ. Is there not a second dealership or independent shop you can go get a second opinion at? The reason I ask is since you have already complained multiple times before your CPO ran out, and the dealer couldn't find anything, you may be covered still under that CPO if the second opinion finds an issue.

EDIT: I drive the piss out of my car and I burn close to a quart every 8-9k miles. Acceptable to me, but yours seems much more severe and I wouldn't rest until I found the issue.

See my statement above.. Second opinion won't help!!!

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by romanonj

See my statement above.. Second opinion won't help!!!

Yet if your second opinion leads to a discovery that the first didn't catch, one would assume BMW is liable for repairs. Since the problem was documented during the CPO period and they didn't catch/correct it.

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by Johnny D

Yet if your second opinion leads to a discovery that the first didn't catch, one would assume BMW is liable for repairs. Since the problem was documented during the CPO period and they didn't catch/correct it.

No oil leaks, Both cars are parked in the garage.. With leakdown test showing 14% on cylinder 6, it is pretty obvious where the oil is going.

As a preventive measure, I have also installed magnetic drain plug to give me insight on engines wear and tear. Nothing out of ordinary is seen between oil changes, some black dust residue, no metal shavings..

Having said that, I tried mobil 1, castrol, BMW.. Is there any oil that may preserve it's lubrication properties longer?

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by romanonj

No oil leaks, Both cars are parked in the garage.. With leakdown test showing 14% on cylinder 6, it is pretty obvious where the oil is going.

As a preventive measure, I have also installed magnetic drain plug to give me insight on engines wear and tear. Nothing out of ordinary is seen between oil changes, some black dust residue, no metal shavings..

Having said that, I tried mobil 1, castrol, BMW.. Is there any oil that may preserve it's lubrication properties longer?

Seems like you've been through. Maybe add a quarter of Lucas Oil additive? I've never used it on a BMW, but had good luck with it on several other vehicles.

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by Johnny D

Seems like you've been through. Maybe add a quarter of Lucas Oil additive? I've never used it on a BMW, but had good luck with it on several other vehicles.

All this second opinion talk got me all hot and bothered, so I decided to take matters in my own hands and perform these checks myself.

It is 20 degrees in NJ today, so I warmed it up, drove it in on ramps in the garage, turned the heater on, and started removing splash guards. X3 has plastic guard in the front, and aluminum protecting oil pan and front diff. Breaking 1/2 inch bolts loose holding the plate up was a pain, so right away I figured that these were never removed. As soon as I dropped the pan, noticed oil behind the drain plug and up above it, and around rear gasket (between engine and tranny I think). I always very diligent at wiping all of the excess oil after changes. It does splash, but I dont think it was that much (see pics below).

So now I am f..ing steaming , not only they didnt really bother dropping splash guards, they also said that they coulnd find anything and asked me to pay $500 for all those mechanical tests.. Needless to say, the dealership will be getting a call on monday about this bs, and I will be asking for my money back for tests performed..

[index1489]

If there is a oil leak between the trans and motor, it could be the rear crankshaft seal.

[romanonj]

Yes it's between engine and tranny. I started it up today, let it warm up and at idle, you can see air bubbles blowing through the seal.. I am sure it is probably worse at higher engine rpms.

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by romanonj

Yes it's between engine and tranny. I started it up today, let it warm up and at idle, you can see air bubbles blowing through the seal.. I am sure it is probably worse at higher engine rpms.

Call the dealer like you said and if they still won't fix the issue, contact BMWNA for help.

[itscard0man]

how can you guys tell how much oil your engine is consuming if there is no dipstick and the oil check only says "OK"

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by Johnny D

Call the dealer like you said and if they still won't fix the issue, contact BMWNA for help.

While I was on the roll, decided to change spark plugs.. Pulled out boots for cylinders 3 and 4 and both plugs are covered with oil, nah, more like sitting in oil tub.. I am anal when it comes to cleaning up any oil spills, and use funnel anyway to prevent em. My guess is coming from valvetronic motor. All of the remaining cylinder spark plugs are dry..

Took pics of that, changed spark plugs, saved the old ones.. So wish me luck..

Thanks for everyone for getting me motivated to look at this again.

Roman

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by itscard0man

how can you guys tell how much oil your engine is consuming if there is no dipstick and the oil check only says "OK"

X3 has notches, 4 to be exact.. Once it's down to the lowest notch, it needs a quart of oil. Both e90/e92 have scale, so it is pretty obvious when you down a half of quart. That's when I try to top mine off, don't wait being down a quart..