Two issues/questions:

1.
The low oil light light came on the other day. Much to my surprise because I check the oil fairly regularly but as you know the slinky dipstick is $#%ing impossible to read. Thats a whole other issue and I have discovered many threads on the dipstick topic.

Question: how much oil can I put in after the low oil warning comes on? I put in a liter and my dipstick doesn't look any different...so am I still low?

2.
It's cold here now. My engine sounds REALLY diesel'y unitl it warms up. There is a certain rpm range around 2200-2700 ish where there is a really bad vibration or rattly noise.

Question: is this normal? Could it be tied to my low oil issue?


I've only owned the car since late Sept so this is my first winter and it came with a fresh and full oil change so I'm new to the consumption level.


tia,

Sani

 

Some materials have what is called a coefficient of expansion, meaning the warmer the material is the more it expands. Oil falls into this category but with colder weather the viscosity will be impacted and is more important. The weather is not going to make the oil shrink greatly in the oil pan. The air cooled Porsche folks used to say you did not rev the engine at all until you had so many bars on the temp gauge.

What viscosity of oil your using? When were the plugs changed last?

 

Thanks for the info...now if only the car came with a temp gauge....

5/30 oil
plugs new on 15-Oct-2017


tia,

sani

 

You can check your coolant temp through the TorquePro app for Android.

If it sounds REALLY diesel'y, I'd suspect your timing chain. There are a lot of threads on this subject. Go to the dealer and have them tell you whether or not the timing chain has ever been replaced.

If it hasn't, it's probably (unfortunately) that time. If it has, you can replace just the tensioner and see if that helps.

Start setting time & money aside to replace the chain, tensioner & guides if the noise is really loud.

 

You are extremely low for the low pressure light to come on. 3 quarts at least.

 

Thanks for the tip re: timing chain. It has been replaced by the previous owner. They did all their work at the bmw dealer so the records are good. I will have it checked as well.

3 quarts! Holy crap. I put one in. So I guess u need more tomorrow!

tia,

Sani

 

Yes, get oil in there asap and check the level. Check it at every fill up of gas and then check around for oil leaks.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dipstick.html






If no leaks (turbo oil lines, turbo, oil pan, valve cover, you might have oil consumption from a bad valve cover PCV. When it sticks you can consume a bunch of oil, and you will notice lots of blue smoke on hard full throttle pulls.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...pcv-valve.html

 

Reading the dipstick is definitely really annoying on this car.. I always see two readings, one is usually very high and one is lower (that is the right one). I notice the car has to be on perfectly flat ground to give the right level otherwise I saw random levels.

 

If you master it, then reading in the future is easy. Its like a MINI school of quirks.

 

A little late for my reply, but here goes.

1. That is not a low oil light!

2. It is a low oil pressure light.

3. When you see that light shut off your engine NOW !!!! Add oil !!!

4. When you see that light you are damaging your engine if you continue to drive with it on.

5. Investigate why you are using oil.

6. Check your oil more often, once a week.

7. Carry on.....