[Cali]

Hi, I just changed the oil and filter on my 2006 325i and ran a few errands on sunday....oil level seemed fine. My son drove it around 160 miles on monday & tuesday total and then it was parked on the street the rest of the week.
He tried to start it this morning and it won't start, lights and everything work and when we press the start button it makes like a short humming/wurring noise and we can here some kind of clicking (like something loose knocking) in the area around the oil filter, can't really pin point it....is that normal and we just haven't heard it before?
It only lasts a few seconds then nothing as it won't start.
Any ideas?
How can I rule out the battery.....don't have a car to try jump starting it.

Thank you.

[BashShah]

Most Likely Starter.

Take a Long Socket Extension like 10 inch long in total length.
use a 6 and a 4 inch extenion together.

Then, open Hood.
look at your Intake Port.
Between each Intake Port there is a Space.
The Last Space between cylinder 5 and 6 closest to windshield.
look straight down and you should be able to see the Starter. (Round, silver, google e90 starter pictures)

Put extension on it.
LIGHTLY hit it with a Hammer twice.
Lightly like holding a Nail on a a piece of wood, and the first 2 taps to get it to hold.... that lightly.
then start the car.

if it starts, then it's your starter.
also, jump your car, if it starts, it's your Battery not holding enough charge or a Drain somewhere.
shut all Heating and Radio off in the car.

Good luck.

[Cali]

Thank you for the response....appreciate it.
I didn't see any oil under the oil cap so I added 2 qts yesterday and this morning it started fine. I added more today and the oil level shows at MAX in the dashboard and the car is starting fine now.
Never paid attention in the past on this car........but should I be able to see oil when I open the oil cap or not?

[BKV122]

The oil will sit in the engine pan when the car is off any oil on cap or in the area of the cap will drip down to the lower part of the engine. So I'd say its normal to not see any oil on the cap.

[Cali]

Originally Posted by BKV122

The oil will sit in the engine pan when the car is off any oil on cap or in the area of the cap will drip down to the lower part of the engine. So I'd say its normal to not see any oil on the cap.

Thank you for the response. Looks like it was just low on oil, can't see any when I open the cap but the level is still at Max and all is well.

[Cali]

Well that was short lived........didn't start again this am.
I can turn on the radio, blast the ac, have the lights on etc.....which all work fine, but no start.
Looks like I need to remove parts to get to where I can see the starter.....will try that later. Otherwise will have to find a local mechanic.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by Cali

Thank you for the response. Looks like it was just low on oil, can't see any when I open the cap but the level is still at Max and all is well.

sorry...

[Cali]

It was the starter, I had it replaced with a Brand new Bosch for $350 total.
Now I'm concerned I may have too much oil and should drain some.....does the oil level show above Max if it has too much??

[SG_E90]

Originally Posted by Cali

It was the starter, I had it replaced with a Brand new Bosch for $350 total.
Now I'm concerned I may have too much oil and should drain some.....does the oil level show above Max if it has too much??

yes it will show above if above