[ndog14]

Sunday I changed my oil. I put 6.5L in. Today I forgot my wallet on my workbench and ran out of my car to get it, left it on. I got out and noticed my car was ticking like a diesel. I checked the oil level and it read half. I turned off the car and added the last .5L of oil in. Turned the car back on and it was still ticking. Checked the oil and it still read half. Wtf.

How many liters of oil does the N52 take?

The ticking went away after about 2 miles.

I used Castrol Syntec 0W-30.

[SaMaster14]

My car tells me how much oil it needs. I was low, the car warned me, and said to put in a quart (full bottle)

[E90 87ss]

Fill according to the oil level sensor... Don't overfill... Use the search function on this site or google...


Ticking: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504

Really no proven harm...

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by E90 87ss

Fill according to the oil level sensor... Don't overfill... Use the search function on this site or google...


Ticking: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504

Really no proven harm...

I know what that is. This isn't it. This is from not enough, but still enough, oil. Is 7L enough or do I need more? I know after my last oil change at the dealer the bar was at full.

[mhenry7]

Originally Posted by ndog14

I know what that is. This isn't it. This is from not enough, but still enough, oil. Is 7L enough or do I need more? I know after my last oil change at the dealer the bar was at full.

If you put in 6.5L, that is all it takes. I personally wouldn't trust the sensor for a few days. I changed my oil once and it read half, I resisted putting more in and 1 1/2 days later it registered full. The car takes 6.5L, if you put in 6.5L, just let it be.

[Surly73]

It's 7L. And "half" isn't half full, it's halfway between "full" and "add a quart", which is exactly where it should be if you only put 6.5L in.

Your ticking isn't from the oil level. The Syntec 0W30 isn't the issue either, assuming it's the proper Euro formula stuff and not the older non-Euro stuff that could be floating around on some shelves still.

Your problem could be oil flow due to a filter issue. Are you 100% sure you install the new filter and O-rings correctly? What kind of filter cartridge was it?

[AddictedToBavarian]

I bought my car CPO and in the history of the car the lifters had been replaced and I never heard ticking. However, right after I changed my oil (through dealership) it's like the problem awoke and it would tick every once in a while. Hope it's not the same case for you.

[ndog14]

I changed my oil Sunday night and checked it Thursday afternoon when I noticed the ticking.

And I used the Euro 0W30. Only 1 store in the Greater Pittsburgh area has it. I know another store does carry Euro 5W40 but I went with the 0W30 since that is what is on BMW's website.

And I installed my oil filter correctly. I used a Bosch filter.

[lewylou78]

My car takes 7 quarts to be at the "Full" mark.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by ndog14

And I installed my oil filter correctly. I used a Bosch filter.

I don't mean to say that incorrect installation of the filter could be the only problem. An issue with the small o-rings on the center post could wreak havoc. A faulty filter element could be an issue too, although this is less a problem with the cartridge-style set up that BMWs use (compared to spin-ons).

[TroyDeJ]

the n52 takes 6.9 quarts, NOT 6.5

[bumere90]

about 6.9 quarts
I normally put 6.8

[Bavarian Tech]

The oil level is measured in two stages:

~Static oil level measurement while the vehicle is stationary (Key On, Engine Off)
~Dynamic oil level measurement during vehicle operation (Key On, Engine Running)

Dynamic oil level measurement begins when following values are reached:
• Engine Temperature > 60°C
• Engine speed > 1000 RPM
• Transverse and longitudinal acceleration < 4-5 m/s2
The transverse acceleration signal is supplied by the DSC. The longitudinal acceleration is calculated from the speed and time factors.


Once reaching this value, the oil level indicator is updated approximately 5 minutes after starting vehicle operation. The oil level is then continuously measured. The indicator is updated at 20 minute intervals.


BTW its 6.9qts but we all just do 7 anyways

[monza2t]

Originally Posted by TroyDeJ

the n52 takes 6.9 quarts, NOT 6.5

People are mixing units here...

OP says he is working in Liters. 6.5L = 6.9Qts.

[MrCairo]

Originally Posted by ndog14

Sunday I changed my oil. I put 6.5L in. Today I forgot my wallet on my workbench and ran out of my car to get it, left it on. I got out and noticed my car was ticking like a diesel. I checked the oil level and it read half. I turned off the car and added the last .5L of oil in. Turned the car back on and it was still ticking. Checked the oil and it still read half. Wtf.

How many liters of oil does the N52 take?

The ticking went away after about 2 miles.

I used Castrol Syntec 0W-30.

After an oil change generally it takes the oil pump a short while to get the pressure up into the lifters. If you run it for two-three minutes the noise should stop. If not, check the oil level again. A little lifter noise at idle is not going to hurt your engine if it's just for a shirt while. Beyond that, like the other posters have mentioned, just verify that the oil filter is installed properly and that the oil pan plug is actually in (yes, I've heard of shops even forgetting this very important part).

[orangedawg]

Just did my oil change last week. Put 7 "containers" (not sure if quarts or liters off the top of my head, but it's the BMW oil from dealer), and after a week, mine reads 3/4. FYI.

[lemonukas]

N52 engine oil capacity is 6.5 litres. If your engine making tiking noise, that's a oil lifter making that noise because oil not lubricating them but usually sound wil disappear in couple miles and if not try restart engine after couple miles. That's a n52 engine design problem.

[bimmerzeit]

N52 Oil Change DIY:

[Meeni]

You are fine. Just wait until the car asks for +1qt, and then just do that. When I used M1 0w30 (non LL01) oil I had some bad ticking as well, it resolved when switching back to an LL01 oil (of any brand is fine).

[vester86]

i switched to 5w40 last year, no more ticking & oil consumption went from 1:5000km to 1:12000kms. (car has 250.000km / 150.000 miles)

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by vester86

i switched to 5w40 last year, no more ticking & oil consumption went from 1:5000km to 1:12000kms. (car has 250.000km / 150.000 miles)

I have always moved to a 5w40 on N52's as they get to around 100k miles.

Same with the M52's as well.

Being in the UK and quite south we don't get crazy cold temps here so a 10w40 or 10w50 would be OK, in fact, on my wife's 123d BMW recommended 10w60 on that, as they do for many of the M cars.

Alpina recommend that when the car gets to 120,000km to switch to 10w50 or 10w60 if it is using more than a litre every 3000km.


My 330i is now at 110k miles, I will put in 5w40 as it is doesn't seem to be using much oil at all.


Mate had really bad lifter noise on his, after much arm twisting he has gone from 0w30 to 5w40 a couple of weeks back and now it sounds so much sweeter.