E61 V8 Bearding
Discussion
My bus will smoke occasionally. This is only noticeable when the oil level is high. So now I try to keep the oil level at the minimum. When at the minimum I never notice any smoking. I'm curious how accurate the electronic oil level sensor is. When I first bought the car it asked for a litre of oil after a week or so. I put a whole litre in and then saw clouds of smoke as per everyone else has discussed, so when up to temp and coming to a standstill on the motorway etc. The idrive sensor started bonging for more oil after less than 2 weeks I think. So had the whole litre disappeared in smoke in that short time?
Since then I have decided to ignore then sensor bonging once the engine is on. I check the level with the engine off. Here is today's check which was after a 1 hour session in the gym this morning so the engine was not stone cold but had ample time for the oil to settle back into the sump. I then left the gym and the car bonged for oil after maybe 1 minute.
Since then I have decided to ignore then sensor bonging once the engine is on. I check the level with the engine off. Here is today's check which was after a 1 hour session in the gym this morning so the engine was not stone cold but had ample time for the oil to settle back into the sump. I then left the gym and the car bonged for oil after maybe 1 minute.
Edited by ATM on Thursday 13th September 21:19
Cheers, you too. Bit narked about the povery spec comment ! While I think the engine is a marvel when working (the replacement I bought is 530 N52 and while revvy and smooth and similar power to weight to my e39 540, I do miss the linear wall of torque from v8) It just doesn't seem as durable as the predecessor which is a shame, 95% of a v8 BMW is the engine. That said, the link to the valve seal repair seem good vfm, the bore scoring might just have been mine, when they refilled it with Halfords Econo-Chip Fat 20W/50 !
Either way dealer finally paid money back so could have been worse if private sale.
@ATM Fix that oil sensor (no dipstick on 550 then?, like my 530, the 545 has a dipstick)/get to bottom of blue smoke asap is my advice, it shouldn't be like that. Not sure where you are based, but Karl Fisher in Cannock really new his engines, and condemned mine !, that cheadle place sounded good.
Either way dealer finally paid money back so could have been worse if private sale.
@ATM Fix that oil sensor (no dipstick on 550 then?, like my 530, the 545 has a dipstick)/get to bottom of blue smoke asap is my advice, it shouldn't be like that. Not sure where you are based, but Karl Fisher in Cannock really new his engines, and condemned mine !, that cheadle place sounded good.
hornetrider said:
Happy Christmas! 
philmots said:
This engine has a dipstick too slightly hidden.
Open bonnet, look at the left bank (as you look at it), follow back to the bulkhead, in the gap between the scuttle and the top of engine cover you'll see the black dipstick handle.
You should be able to keep a more accurate eye on it.
I tried yanking and that and it felt pretty much stuck.Open bonnet, look at the left bank (as you look at it), follow back to the bulkhead, in the gap between the scuttle and the top of engine cover you'll see the black dipstick handle.
You should be able to keep a more accurate eye on it.
I like a picture anyway...
Finally got an hour free to give it a clean, not had chance in weeks.
Last week I borrowed a wet vac and had a go at all the carpets, I vac it normally almost weekly but the amount of dirt and grime that came out of them was unreal, the carpets are looking more black than dark grey now! Finally finished off with a round of Auto Glym Air Con Cleaner... I'm sure it doesn't clean the actual Aircon (it's a sealed system) but it must get in to all the blowers and recirc system etc, feels nice and fresh now.
Mats were brand new genuine ones (£110!!!) last year when I bought it, they're still looking good as only done around 5k.
All good, running beautifully..
Finally got an hour free to give it a clean, not had chance in weeks.
Last week I borrowed a wet vac and had a go at all the carpets, I vac it normally almost weekly but the amount of dirt and grime that came out of them was unreal, the carpets are looking more black than dark grey now! Finally finished off with a round of Auto Glym Air Con Cleaner... I'm sure it doesn't clean the actual Aircon (it's a sealed system) but it must get in to all the blowers and recirc system etc, feels nice and fresh now.
Mats were brand new genuine ones (£110!!!) last year when I bought it, they're still looking good as only done around 5k.
All good, running beautifully..
ian_cab28 said:
@ATM Fix that oil sensor (no dipstick on 550 then?, like my 530, the 545 has a dipstick)/get to bottom of blue smoke asap is my advice, it shouldn't be like that. Not sure where you are based, but Karl Fisher in Cannock really new his engines, and condemned mine !, that cheadle place sounded good.
So is this a faulty sensor?If the level is ok before you set off and then the car decides it is low once on the move?
I'm going to guess the sensor is in the sump so it probably means change with next oil change.
http://groovyhome.co.uk/index.php?main_page=produc...
Just like that for me.
Not keen when it's sat on the pistons and rods, would probably make it too high too.
Just like that for me.
Not keen when it's sat on the pistons and rods, would probably make it too high too.
Was out in the 550 today on local dual carriageways, 1st time I have had a chance since I got the car back. My god does this car roar when the revs build up. Certainly put a smile on my face. I think the old biddy I was behind on the slip road got a bit of scare once I got on the DC and shot past her with the engine roaring.
smashie said:
Was out in the 550 today on local dual carriageways, 1st time I have had a chance since I got the car back. My god does this car roar when the revs build up. Certainly put a smile on my face. I think the old biddy I was behind on the slip road got a bit of scare once I got on the DC and shot past her with the engine roaring.
Exactly. You have to get up the revs before it really motors. 3rd and 4th are interesting. Off the line is good too if you learn to lower throttle gently. Stamp on in too quick and the electronics spoil the party. Slower pedal = quicker take off. I'm going to try some seriously fat rubber after winter to see if that improves launch. I'm really liking my bus now I've gone over to go flat tyres.Will be interested to hear what you find.
Since I have winters on at the moment, I am thinking some new wheels with PSS would go down well.
DSC/TC is struggling a bit in the damp, with the winters at the moment, which is frustrating.
Fast getaways are not happening at the moment and some extra width and summer sun may improve things.
Since I have winters on at the moment, I am thinking some new wheels with PSS would go down well.
DSC/TC is struggling a bit in the damp, with the winters at the moment, which is frustrating.
Fast getaways are not happening at the moment and some extra width and summer sun may improve things.
dom9 said:
Will be interested to hear what you find.
Since I have winters on at the moment, I am thinking some new wheels with PSS would go down well.
DSC/TC is struggling a bit in the damp, with the winters at the moment, which is frustrating.
Fast getaways are not happening at the moment and some extra width and summer sun may improve things.
I've read a few comments from people about these MPSS being a bit of a handful in the wet. The tread looks more like a cut slick. I dont really want poor wet handling because I think you find a tyre's limit a lot sooner in the wet.Since I have winters on at the moment, I am thinking some new wheels with PSS would go down well.
DSC/TC is struggling a bit in the damp, with the winters at the moment, which is frustrating.
Fast getaways are not happening at the moment and some extra width and summer sun may improve things.
Absolutely. I am too old to 'push' in the wet, anyway.
I'm just finding that I'll be trying to pull out of junctions and it just doesn't 'pick up' at the moment as the TC will be aggressively kicking in.
This morning I was getting flashed and beeped as I pulled out in front of someone. In my opinion I'd have been more than fine and well up the road usually, but I had no power for the duration of the maneuver and was flashed and beeped etc
They were a little aggressive but I definitely took their point - LOL
I'm just finding that I'll be trying to pull out of junctions and it just doesn't 'pick up' at the moment as the TC will be aggressively kicking in.
This morning I was getting flashed and beeped as I pulled out in front of someone. In my opinion I'd have been more than fine and well up the road usually, but I had no power for the duration of the maneuver and was flashed and beeped etc
They were a little aggressive but I definitely took their point - LOL
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