Oil Consumption Weirdness

[ftypical]

So... the M54 has been using some oil (about 1/4litre per k) since I got it in 2012. But, given that it’s well over 100k miles, this didn’t seem unreasonable. It didn’t change when I replaced the CCV valve and pipe work a few years ago either, supporting the idea that it was mileage related.

Back in November, due to seepage around the oil filter housing becoming noticeable, I changed the gasket.

It hasn’t noticeably used a drop since, despite ongoing weeping from the cam cover gasket.

So...

[dmarkovina]

Weeping gasket is more a nuisance than oil consumption issue - the amounts leaked are very limited. Only when you get a crack in the valve cover at the 5th cylinder above the exhaust manifold the oil may start reaching the exhaust itself, leading to burning oil smell in the cabin, especially at steep climbs. Easily and cheaply fixable with epoxy resin.

[daniel-5zjw7]

Give it a month or so and I'm sure normal service will resume! The general consensus is its mainly a piston ring issue on the m54 that causes the high consumption, not something that is going to be effected by an OFHG replacement

[Mr Tidy]

I bought my E46 325ti (so M54 engine) with 80K miles and ran it to 103K miles.

During that time I put 4.5 litres in as "top-ups" - that seems about the same oil use as yours, which I am sure is within BMW's accepted tolerance.

I've now got 2 with the N52 engine, and they seem to use a bit too - seems to be a BMW feature!