[rallas]

Just did an oil change and only drained about 5-1/4 quarts. Days before the oil change I checked oil level and it still registered full. I check oil level with almost every tank of gas and never saw the level drop from full. I would expect oil level to read something other than full when almost 2qts low. I thought it should let you know when you are 1 quart low?

I am planning on changing out the oil level sensor at my nect oil change. Wish I just did it now since I have one sitting in my BMW parts bin. I have a bunch of contingency parts ready to go since I am almost at 100k miles on my 16 435i.

[johnung]

How much new oil did it take when you refilled? When I change the oil on my N55 I usually pour in 6 quarts and then warm it up and check the level. It’s usually about 1/2 quart low so I just add that much out of a 7th quart bottle.

My Oil Level Sensor has already been replaced once. It was okay for a short time but now gives oil low warnings almost every time that I start the car. When I check the level it’s always full. Various ground connections were checked because that reportedly can cause this symptom. No ground problems found. So now I’m replacing the oil level sensor again.

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by rallas

Just did an oil change and only drained about 5-1/4 quarts. Days before the oil change I checked oil level and it still registered full. I check oil level with almost every tank of gas and never saw the level drop from full. I would expect oil level to read something other than full when almost 2qts low. I thought it should let you know when you are 1 quart low?

I am planning on changing out the oil level sensor at my nect oil change. Wish I just did it now since I have one sitting in my BMW parts bin. I have a bunch of contingency parts ready to go since I am almost at 100k miles on my 16 435i.

Presumably you don't wanna swap the sensor because it'll pour oil right? Why not hook a shop vac over the oil fill hole, then when you remove the sensor it'll create a vacuum stopping any from pouring.. I do it every time when I change oil, create suction, crack the drain plug loose and remove it, then just turn the vac off and prepare to catch the oil. It saves me getting splattered whilst trying to remove the plug.

[rallas]

I have never thought of that trick!

[rallas]

I finally changed out the oil level sensor with the last oil change. Just did another oil change. When checking oil level before the change it still showed oil level at Max, but I only drained out 6qts of oil. I would think that it should show something less than Max if it was running ~1qt lower than full.

I usually check oil level at the same gas station, at the same pump on level ground so that there is no difference in angle/slope of the car as level is checked. In the past I would get the "add a quart" message just before my oil change interval at ~5000miles and drain out ~6qts. Now it always shows Max. The new oil level sensor did not appear to make any difference.

Why is there no easy way to add a regular old dipstick on a non X drive 435i? I am even debating on driling and welding in a dipstick tube while I have the oil pan off for a gasket replacement in the near future. Anyone mess with adding a dipstick to a RWD N55? I know the Xdrive guys have a relatively easy option.

It also makes me wonder how many N55s spin rod bearings due to low oil level...