Discussion
Kong said:
This is what my Z4 3.0i (identical engine) looked like shortly after I bought it.
35,000 miles later it's absolutely fine. I did have the crank case breather replaced but as mentioned it will still happen when you do short journeys, particularly in winter.
I wouldn't worry about the head gasket, failures on these engines are almost unhead of.
Mine looks like that, particulary in cold weather. Never done anything about it in 4 years and 35,000 miles, it's normal. 35,000 miles later it's absolutely fine. I did have the crank case breather replaced but as mentioned it will still happen when you do short journeys, particularly in winter.
I wouldn't worry about the head gasket, failures on these engines are almost unhead of.
BorkFactor said:
if the yellow oil warning light comes on when you first start the car (doesn't matter if it is hot or cold) and goes out after 10 seconds or so then it will be a faulty sensor - I think it is at the bottom of the sump. Fairly common on the E46, mine does this and so do 2 others that I know of.
Mine does this too, usually if its been stood for a couple of days. Was worried the first time, but then checked the dipstick and it was sat on maximum. Was thinking of having it fixed the next time the oil is changed, but the sensor (and labour required to get to it and change it) is quite expensive, and it no longer bothers me because I know not to worry unless it stays on.In fact, after 4,000 miles my M54 3.0 hasn't used a drop of oil. Since everyone else seems to top up every 1000 miles or so, I'm actually worried that maybe there's something wrong with it
stevesuk said:
Mine does this too, usually if its been stood for a couple of days. Was worried the first time, but then checked the dipstick and it was sat on maximum. Was thinking of having it fixed the next time the oil is changed, but the sensor (and labour required to get to it and change it) is quite expensive, and it no longer bothers me because I know not to worry unless it stays on.
In fact, after 4,000 miles my M54 3.0 hasn't used a drop of oil. Since everyone else seems to top up every 1000 miles or so, I'm actually worried that maybe there's something wrong with it
Your not driving it hard enough lolIn fact, after 4,000 miles my M54 3.0 hasn't used a drop of oil. Since everyone else seems to top up every 1000 miles or so, I'm actually worried that maybe there's something wrong with it
stevesuk said:
Mine does this too, usually if its been stood for a couple of days. Was worried the first time, but then checked the dipstick and it was sat on maximum. Was thinking of having it fixed the next time the oil is changed, but the sensor (and labour required to get to it and change it) is quite expensive, and it no longer bothers me because I know not to worry unless it stays on.
In fact, after 4,000 miles my M54 3.0 hasn't used a drop of oil. Since everyone else seems to top up every 1000 miles or so, I'm actually worried that maybe there's something wrong with it
Should have probably added too - I have done about 8k in mine since I bought it and it hasn't used a drop of oil. I didn't know it was common for them to use any? In fact, after 4,000 miles my M54 3.0 hasn't used a drop of oil. Since everyone else seems to top up every 1000 miles or so, I'm actually worried that maybe there's something wrong with it
Have to say, it was terrifying when the light came on first, just after I bought the car! I assume it won't be a read flag on the MOT like the airbag warning lights supposedly are?
BorkFactor said:
Should have probably added too - I have done about 8k in mine since I bought it and it hasn't used a drop of oil. I didn't know it was common for them to use any?
You have an M52 not an M54 - it's not common for the M52 to use oil. Just the poor old M54 that seems afflicted. As gaz has rather oddly pointed out the S54 isn't affected either really.BorkFactor said:
Should have probably added too - I have done about 8k in mine since I bought it and it hasn't used a drop of oil. I didn't know it was common for them to use any?
Have to say, it was terrifying when the light came on first, just after I bought the car! I assume it won't be a read flag on the MOT like the airbag warning lights supposedly are?
Nope, mine has been doing it for the last 3 years, not even a comment MoT time....Have to say, it was terrifying when the light came on first, just after I bought the car! I assume it won't be a read flag on the MOT like the airbag warning lights supposedly are?
Mave said:
Nope, mine has been doing it for the last 3 years, not even a comment MoT time....
I thought they were changing the rules with regards to warning lights very soon though? Mine went through its MOT last month and it wasn't mentioned, but I am worried they will pick up on it next year. Phew!
Thanks for that guys. - I came to top-up my oil today and was horrified to see "mayo" on the dipstick and under the oil cap - though not as bad as the previously posted picture. The car drives fine so I'm putting it down to me only doing about 6-7 miles per day (work and back) during the week, plus the cold weather.
It's due a service anyway so I'll be booking it in ASAP to make doubly sure everything's OK. Is there anything else I need to do or be aware of?
Thanks for that guys. - I came to top-up my oil today and was horrified to see "mayo" on the dipstick and under the oil cap - though not as bad as the previously posted picture. The car drives fine so I'm putting it down to me only doing about 6-7 miles per day (work and back) during the week, plus the cold weather.
It's due a service anyway so I'll be booking it in ASAP to make doubly sure everything's OK. Is there anything else I need to do or be aware of?
Clivey said:
Phew!
Thanks for that guys. - I came to top-up my oil today and was horrified to see "mayo" on the dipstick and under the oil cap - though not as bad as the previously posted picture. The car drives fine so I'm putting it down to me only doing about 6-7 miles per day (work and back) during the week, plus the cold weather.
It's due a service anyway so I'll be booking it in ASAP to make doubly sure everything's OK. Is there anything else I need to do or be aware of?
Give it a damn good run every so often and get the engine very hot. My mam didn't, although it took a few years eventually the mayo froze in her CCV and hydralocked the engine on it's own oil, think the rebuild cost about £2K!Thanks for that guys. - I came to top-up my oil today and was horrified to see "mayo" on the dipstick and under the oil cap - though not as bad as the previously posted picture. The car drives fine so I'm putting it down to me only doing about 6-7 miles per day (work and back) during the week, plus the cold weather.
It's due a service anyway so I'll be booking it in ASAP to make doubly sure everything's OK. Is there anything else I need to do or be aware of?
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