[TheMidnightNarwhal]

My oil sensor is brand new from a few months ago because I wanted peace of mind and it seemed to act a bit odd, but it acted differently than it does now.

My level went to half mark gradually, started at 3/4 full then half full on the last 1 liter. Now it shows full. I've driven it for 20 minute ride on the highway smoothly so the level should be updated to it's most accurate level and it's still full. Before it would show half full even with that same drive.

Now what?

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Leave it for now and see what happens over a few weeks. Worst case you could drain the oil, measure what you got out, and refill it back with 6.5L to see if it's registering correctly.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Leave it for now and see what happens over a few weeks. Worst case you could drain the oil, measure what you got out, and refill it back with 6.5L to see if it's registering correctly.

I'm at about 6000KM on my current change so I guess it wouldn't be to early to change it.

I hate measuring oil, do you just measure using old containers?

I wonder what the oil level sensor guru Efthreeoh has to say...

[AngelFarelli]

Have you read this? https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...topics/1256330
Oil level sensor malfunction-Need help https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=386901

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

My sensor just started showing 3/4 now mid drive.

Could the moisture/condensation be throwing the sensor off? Under my cap it's all milky. It's not coolant since I'm not loosing it and condensation is to be expected in winter with short trips. And the moisture could be burning off which is what changes the level?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by AngelFarelli

Have you read this? https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...topics/1256330
Oil level sensor malfunction-Need help https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=386901

My new sensor never showed inactive. I'm also not getting add oil warnings. Just the it's fluctuating down or up even though I am not leaking oil nor adding anything in the engine.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

This morning my level was read 3/4 then changed to 1/2 mid drive.

My top 2 are either fuel dillution or moisture but 500ml of that seems extreme to be in the oil.

[marvinstockman]

Drain oil, put in 5 qts, drive locally till the sensor measures the level. Add another qt, and measure again. Add last qt and measure again.

This should give you a pretty good idea of how the sensor works or doesn't work.

If the computer allows the car to run on 5 qts, you'll be fine running locally.

[nsjames]

you realize that the sensor only has fixed segments right? It is not linear.

if your oil level is right on the mark between two segments then it may read one or the other at any given time.

the fact that it's reading on the dash would seem to indicate it's working properly.
if you're really concerned then mark quart lines on some gallon milk jugs and measure what you pull out.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by nsjames

you realize that the sensor only has fixed segments right? It is not linear.

if your oil level is right on the mark between two segments then it may read one or the other at any given time.

the fact that it's reading on the dash would seem to indicate it's working properly.
if you're really concerned then mark quart lines on some gallon milk jugs and measure what you pull out.

I get what you mean but still, going from full to half full is a 500ml difference. I thought the sensor was accurate. 500ml off is not being accurate.

I still think there is either fuel dilution or moisture that is getting into my oil since I'm driving it shortly and that's why it would show different readings.

Now that this morning it went down to 3/4 then 1/2 I'm less worried and kinda confirms it.

[nsjames]

you are not boiling out half a liter of water in the oil.

and if you had a fueling issue to introduce that much fuel into the oil you'd notice other things.
like a dead hole from being washed down with fuel from a stuck injector.


just drive it. there's an oil pressure warning light that is a completely separate system that would alert you to a really significant pressure problem.

I can't even tell you the last time I checked the oil level gauge in the dash.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by nsjames

you are not boiling out half a liter of water in the oil.

and if you had a fueling issue to introduce that much fuel into the oil you'd notice other things.
like a dead hole from being washed down with fuel from a stuck injector.


just drive it. there's an oil pressure warning light that is a completely separate system that would alert you to a really significant pressure problem.

I can't even tell you the last time I checked the oil level gauge in the dash.

Could it be a mix of what you said where the level was hitting the 2 marks and maybe a bit of dilituion or moisture to?

But yeah you're right always the oil pressure switch but I've read when that happens it's usually to late.

I always look at my oil level since it's a good way to tell me the oil hit a certain temperature, I think around 50-60c when the leave is measured.

[nsjames]

the oil pressure switch is not too late.

I have driven things without oil pressure for minutes without internal engine damage.

it simply alerts you to the pressure drop in the top end, that doesn't mean there's magically no more lubrication there. oil sticks to things.

you're looking for a problem at this point. Look hard enough and you can always find one.

just drive the car.

[mweisdorfer]

Did you put 6.9qts in?

I always just throw 7qts in. .1 qt (3.2oz) isnt gonna matter

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Did you put 6.9qts in?

I always just throw 7qts in. .1 qt (3.2oz) is gonna matter

No I always put in 6.5L . We don't have quarts here lol.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

No I always put in 6.5L . We don't have quarts here lol.

why would you do 6.5 L, full fill is 7.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by nsjames

the oil pressure switch is not too late.

I have driven things without oil pressure for minutes without internal engine damage.

it simply alerts you to the pressure drop in the top end, that doesn't mean there's magically no more lubrication there. oil sticks to things.

you're looking for a problem at this point. Look hard enough and you can always find one.

just drive the car.

If something is affecting the level than I mean that's a problem in my book. Or at least something to check. I'm pretty sure it's a bit more than just hitting the top mark. I don't think it's really how it works based on this post.

But I get your point, there the pressure switch to make sure if my sensor is fucky.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by nsjames

why would you do 6.5 L, full fill is 7.

TIS shows oil capacity as 6.5L.

It's 6.9 quarts/6.5L

[nsjames]

derps on the liters/quarts.

[freakystyly]

I've been nursing a slow pan leak for a while.. The level it reads sometimes isn't consistent at all. I would just worry about the average level and less about what it claims at that instant. It's true that there's only 1/4L increments. If concerned just throw in 1/2L when it shows or wait for the full 1L chime and get on with your day.

Also, I thought 335s had an oil temp gauge on the dash?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

I've been nursing a slow pan leak for a while.. The level it reads sometimes isn't consistent at all. I would just worry about the average level and less about what it claims at that instant. It's true that there's only 1/4L increments. If concerned just throw in 1/2L when it shows or wait for the full 1L chime and get on with your day.

Also, I thought 335s had an oil temp gauge on the dash?

Correct I do have one but it only starts at 70c. And in winter it takes time to move.

Until my oil level isn't shown I baby the car a lot, when I get a reading I sitll baby it but I allow myself to go a bit higher in RPM, like I set my limit to maybe 3500rpm, since I know it's at least around 60c and not colder like 30c.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

No I always put in 6.5L . We don't have quarts here lol.

How many miles do you have on the car?