[cal1]

A few months ago I took my car in to get the airbag recall done. They inspected the car and told me I had these issues:
1. OIL PAN GASKET LEAKING
2. VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING (FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS)

A few weeks ago while stopped at traffic light on a very hot day, the engine maintenance light came on and the car was shaking very bad. Luckily I was near a gas station so I stopped there and shut the car off. The car previously had a oil leak problem as diagnosed earlier so I kept oil in my car, I put a quart in, started the car and the shaking stopped, the maintenance light is off too.

Once back home, I checked the oil level on the car and it was a normal level but not max so I put another quart in. When I was nearly done, I can hear dripping noise so I stopped, I knew immediately I had overfill the oil. 15 minutes later I started the car and moved it so I can see how much dripped out. I can see a puddle, I measured it by pouring around the same amount of water near it and it's probably about 1.5 to 2oz of oil. I checked the oil on the car and it's the same as before I poured the 2nd quart in, normal level not max.

I have been hesitant to drive it since then. I drove it 3 times since then around the block, less than 5 miles total. There is a smell I can't describe when I shut the car off, it's not very strong but it wasn't there before I overfilled the oil.

A few questions I have:
1. Did I damage my car by overfilling the oil and what should I do about it now?
2. What happened to the car earlier with the bad shaking? Could it be bad spark plugs cuz the car is at 80k miles and I haven't changed them?
3. How much should I expect to pay to fix the 2 oil leaks for an indy in California?
4. Last year I ran over a pothole and there is a TPMS malfunction error, the error hasn't gone away since I replaced all 4 tires, resetting it doesn't work, what can be done about this?

[marvinstockman]

First, you need to read your owner's manual, as the amount between min and max is one quart.

Second, dealers like to make work for themselves, and there is a difference between leaking and weeping. If you don't have puddles of oil on the ground, you're probably just weeping.

Finally, drain some oil out of your car, and then measure the level. Put oil back until you are close to the max level. If car is driving OK, it probably is OK, that is until it isn't OK.

Start looking for a good independent BMW shop, and when you find one, have him give your car a thorough inspection.

[Pladi]

Extra oil up to 1L is fine short term.

Shaking most likely you were running on 5 cylinders.

If you want to own this car longer you need to do ALOT of research and reading.

[cal1]

Originally Posted by marvinstockman

First, you need to read your owner's manual, as the amount between min and max is one quart.

Second, dealers like to make work for themselves, and there is a difference between leaking and weeping. If you don't have puddles of oil on the ground, you're probably just weeping.

Finally, drain some oil out of your car, and then measure the level. Put oil back until you are close to the max level. If car is driving OK, it probably is OK, that is until it isn't OK.

Start looking for a good independent BMW shop, and when you find one, have him give your car a thorough inspection.

I was aware it was leaking oil before taking the car to the dealer. For the puddle of oil that appeared after I poured extra into the car, I took a picture of it next to a water bottle for comparison. The car still drives OK but there's a weird smell after driving it. Do I pump excess oil out of the car before taking it to a mechanic for quotes?

View post on imgur.com

[NinetyEight740]

Let’s think about this logically here, overfilling your oil would at no point cause it to leak a puddle onto the ground unless you filled it to the top and it started coming out the filler cap. That being said, you already know you have an oil leak at valve cover gasket, it’s possible the spark plug wells are filling with oil and causing misfires. If you don’t take care of these problems when you know about them in the beginning the list continues to grow of repairs that are needed.

[marvinstockman]

First, don't go to nuclear war. Most likely some oil was spilled when the oil was put in, that is, and especially if, it didn't leak before.

[cal1]

Originally Posted by NinetyEight740

Let’s think about this logically here, overfilling your oil would at no point cause it to leak a puddle onto the ground unless you filled it to the top and it started coming out the filler cap. That being said, you already know you have an oil leak at valve cover gasket, it’s possible the spark plug wells are filling with oil and causing misfires. If you don’t take care of these problems when you know about them in the beginning the list continues to grow of repairs that are needed.

It wasn't very bright in the garage when I put the oil in I think that's possible I stopped as soon as I hear dripping. So assuming I overfilled it and it came out the filler cap, does that cause any damage?

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by cal1

It wasn't very bright in the garage when I put the oil in I think that's possible I stopped as soon as I hear dripping. So assuming I overfilled it and it came out the filler cap, does that cause any damage?

I imagine it would take like 2-3 gallons (yes not quarts, GALLONS) of extra oil to make it overflow out the filler cap. You didn’t do this.

[NinetyEight740]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

I imagine it would take like 2-3 gallons (yes not quarts, GALLONS) of extra oil to make it overflow out the filler cap. You didn’t do this.

You wouldn’t think so but you never know lol. I’ve seen weirder things.

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

I imagine it would take like 2-3 gallons (yes not quarts, GALLONS) of extra oil to make it overflow out the filler cap. You didn’t do this.

Lmao this thread is awesome.

[autoart]

What is normal level? To me you are either full or low. Just change your oil and put 7 quarts in and you will have peace of mind.