[mattswimmer101]

So I have a manual f30 335i 65k miles full bolt ons and stage 2 custom
Catless Dp
BMS intake
Chargepipe

I don't think any of that matters but when I was driving my dash said low oil and it usually happens every like 2k miles but this time i added oil and then let it run for a bit measured it again and it still said low oil im not sure if its a malfunction bc i don't want to add too much oil you know?

[Eschmacher]

Was your engine hot? It has to fall within a specific temperature range or it will fail. Very silly that it doesn't tell you why it fails... Let it cool off for a while, then run it again.

[mattswimmer101]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

Was your engine hot? It has to fall within a specific temperature range or it will fail. Very silly that it doesn't tell you why it fails... Let it cool off for a while, then run it again.

Well yeah it may been considering i was doing 80mph for 30min in 90 degree weather

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by mattswimmer101

Well yeah it may been considering i was doing 80mph for 30min in 90 degree weather

This will not get the engine too hot lol. Typically it wont successfully measure oil when its too cold, it would have to be extremely hot (like into protection mode) to fail oil measurement due to high temperature. Just drive the car normally and let the oil get up to ~240F, then park on a level surface and try the oil measurement again.

[Eschmacher]

According to another thread, and personal experience, "Oil temp must be between ~65 and 100°C." Any higher and it will stop at 17%.

Per Harkes: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1381394

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

According to another thread, and personal experience, "Oil temp must be between ~65 and 100°C." Any higher and it will stop at 17%.

Per Harkes: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1381394

I've definitely measured mine over 100C. Infact, every time i measure it, its after driving for an extended period of time with the oil at ~240-245F. The ISTA screenshot only shows a minimum of 90C. I've never seen a maximum documented anywhere, and never experienced it myself. Maybe its a model/year thing because i have a 2015 335i and i think harkes has a 135i. Maybe something was changed around the PWG/EWG transition.

[Eschmacher]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

I've definitely measured mine over 100C. Infact, every time i measure it, its after driving for an extended period of time with the oil at ~240-245F. The ISTA screenshot only shows a minimum of 90C. I've never seen a maximum documented anywhere, and never experienced it myself. Maybe its a model/year thing because i have a 2015 335i and i think harkes has a 135i. Maybe something was changed around the PWG/EWG transition.

It could definitely be a variance in certain models or istep levels, my car also refuses to measure if it's above 200-210 but I haven't taken the time to see exactly where it stops.

[Orion4]

Only had the issue if the oil was not up to min temp. Never experienced it not measuring when in the normal operating range.

[Joboy]

Reviving this thread. changed the oil and filter on my Son's 14' 435i. Like everyone else, the measurement stops at 15%. We double checked that the two oil filter gaskets was placed correct. (the large one wasn't put on right, fixed that.) Car is on a level surface. Car is in Neutral(manual) and at normal operating temp, which is 160 deg C.

We are not sure if it didn't work prior to the oil change as my Son did not try the measurement feature. But I can't believe, changing the oil would create such an issue?

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Joboy

Reviving this thread. changed the oil and filter on my Son's 14' 435i. Like everyone else, the measurement stops at 15%. We double checked that the two oil filter gaskets was placed correct. (the large one wasn't put on right, fixed that.) Car is on a level surface. Car is in Neutral(manual) and at normal operating temp, which is 160 deg C.

We are not sure if it didn't work prior to the oil change as my Son did not try the measurement feature. But I can't believe, changing the oil would create such an issue?

Well 160C obviously isnt correct, but 160F isnt normal operating temp either. Steady state operating temp for the oil will be 240-245F. Your oil was too cold if it was 160F and if it was 160C... you have other problems lol.

[Joboy]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Well 160C obviously isnt correct, but 160F isnt normal operating temp either. Steady state operating temp for the oil will be 240-245F. Your oil was too cold if it was 160F and if it was 160C... you have other problems lol.

Ah. my poor old eyes. The normal operating temp is 120c. Any other thoughts of what the issue is? The oil level states "OK" so I am not sure if the Oil level status and the oil level measurement uses the same sensor?

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Joboy

Ah. my poor old eyes. The normal operating temp is 120c. Any other thoughts of what the issue is? The oil level states "OK" so I am not sure if the Oil level status and the oil level measurement uses the same sensor?

If you gave it a quick drive and tried to measure the oil level after and it got stuck you might try it at a lower temp as this thread suggests. Perhaps you are having the issues as some others that its "too hot" even though its at normal operating temp. You could also scan for codes.

I am not 100% sure when the DME is doing the sort of real time oil level measurements used to give the OK message (or warnings if its too low) but there is only one sensor i am aware of.

EDIT: Also, when i do my oil changes on this car, i measure how much i drain out so i know how much to add (and usually add slightly more than drain).

[Joboy]

Thanks. I think we'll bring it to a bmw Indi. I did check in the drive way as soon as the oil changes was done. Then after driving around the neighborhood and again after it got to 120c. All the same filed results. Appreciate the the tip on measuring the old oil to fill the new. We had the car up on a race ramp and drained it well. Then filled it with 6 litres to account for .5 -.9 iitres of old oil in the engine. Then would top up as much as needed with the help of the electronic measurement. Which is why I am now on this forum!. Give me a bloody dipstick!

Edit. Was going to the Indi to also see if they could retap the drain hole. The previous mechanic/shop likely stripped it. The bolt was easy to take out so we thought they didn't torque it down. Just to find out that we could not torque it down much as the bolt just didn't seem to tighten up. We bought the car from a used division of a BMW dealer and all the work seem to be performed by the dealer. So didn't question much about the servicing.

[erickonphoenix]

Originally Posted by Joboy

Give me a bloody dipstick!

no kidding, just because they can do something doesn't always mean they should. I guess the germans don't follow the KISS principle.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Joboy

Thanks. I think we'll bring it to a bmw Indi. I did check in the drive way as soon as the oil changes was done. Then after driving around the neighborhood and again after it got to 120c. All the same filed results. Appreciate the the tip on measuring the old oil to fill the new. We had the car up on a race ramp and drained it well. Then filled it with 6 litres to account for .5 -.9 iitres of old oil in the engine. Then would top up as much as needed with the help of the electronic measurement. Which is why I am now on this forum!. Give me a bloody dipstick!

Edit. Was going to the Indi to also see if they could retap the drain hole. The previous mechanic/shop likely stripped it. The bolt was easy to take out so we thought they didn't torque it down. Just to find out that we could not torque it down much as the bolt just didn't seem to tighten up. We bought the car from a used division of a BMW dealer and all the work seem to be performed by the dealer. So didn't question much about the servicing.

I believe there is someone on here that works for a company/makes a part to fix a stripped oil pan drain plug hole. Was it itsrichierich ? The thread is probably buried now and i think it was in the N55 technical forums.

Replacing the pan requires dropping the subframe.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

I believe there is someone on here that works for a company/makes a part to fix a stripped oil pan drain plug hole. Was it itsrichierich ? The thread is probably buried now and i think it was in the N55 technical forums.

Replacing the pan requires dropping the subframe.

IIRC dealers use this kit: Lisle 58850


https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-...ethreading-kit

[Joboy]

Thanks. Ive setup an appointment with the bmw Indi. I'll ask which method they use to retap/thread the pan. Ive read that Heli coil and Time Sert aren't not the best nor permanent solutions.

[itsrichierich]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

I believe there is someone on here that works for a company/makes a part to fix a stripped oil pan drain plug hole. Was it itsrichierich ? The thread is probably buried now and i think it was in the N55 technical forums.

Replacing the pan requires dropping the subframe.

Thanks Jeremy!

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

IIRC dealers use this kit: Lisle 58850


https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-...ethreading-kit

This isn't true but isn't false either. About 4 years ago, we manufactured a tool for BMW to address the stripped drain plug issue.

Originally Posted by Joboy

Thanks. Ive setup an appointment with the bmw Indi. I'll ask which method they use to retap/thread the pan. Ive read that Heli coil and Time Sert aren't not the best nor permanent solutions.

Correct, the time-sert and heli-coil is a bad fix. Though the method has been around for years, it's the fact that the time-sert and heli-coil is usually loktite but the loktite doesn't have time to sure properly. That's unless the shop fully drains the pan and waits a period of time.

We actually manufacture this tool for BMW North America, our part # is AGA-ODP-12-14-K but BMW uses part # 83 30 2 461 309. You can also view BMW's TIS here.

You can watch our boring, technical video here which can save you time and money down the road:

[JamesBMW123]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

According to another thread, and personal experience, "Oil temp must be between ~65 and 100°C." Any higher and it will stop at 17%.

Per Harkes: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1381394

I have this same issue, and was quoted an oil pump replacement as the fix from my local dealer.

[Billfitz]

The measurement is done by the oil level sensor that's located in the bottom of the oil pan, not the pump. If the oil pressure is too low or too high you can't get a measurement, but that doesn't automatically mean you need to replace the pump. If the pressure is too low or too high you should get a dash warning.

[JamesBMW123]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The measurement is done by the oil level sensor that's located in the bottom of the oil pan, not the pump. If the oil pressure is too low or too high you can't get a measurement, but that doesn't automatically mean you need to replace the pump. If the pressure is too low or too high you should get a dash warning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFfbDLzqTEs

This is what I was thinking as well. I’ve had this issue for so long and my car is fine, no metal glitter in my oil changes or anything remotely alarming. Replacing the pump can’t be the only fix of this issue