56 plate 330i (n52) oil gauge faulty
Discussion
Just picked up a "new" 330i. Everything seems to be running perfectly but whilst the oil gauge was at around 90 during test drive, on the 30 mile drive home it started gradually dropping down to 70 and stayed there. Stopped for fuel, restarted and did another 10 miles, stayed at 70. Any simple fix for this? I don't believe there's actually an oil/temp problem, and no oil low light on the dash or anything - no dipstick obviously.
Is the oil gauge used to measure pressure? Temperature? Level?
Gauges fitted to cars are often referred to as idiot lights - use this as your motivation to physically measure what’s happening rather than relying on coding and calibrations which you have to interpret before they mean anything.
Gauges fitted to cars are often referred to as idiot lights - use this as your motivation to physically measure what’s happening rather than relying on coding and calibrations which you have to interpret before they mean anything.
rsbmw said:
It's a temperature gauge. I don't fancy trying to physically measure the oil temperature whilst driving but thanks for the suggestion!
I think that he means by using something like Torque Pro and an OBD dongle, so you can see the true reading etcHowever, your description sounds like the stat needs to be replaced.
Get your part number via RealOEM (put the last 7 digits of your VIN into the box at the top of the page and it'll bring up your exact car); follow the diagrams and get the part number for the stat and get one ordered (usually best to stick with OEM BMW or the likes of Meyle, Walher, Febi Bilstein etc)
rsbmw said:
I don't have a reader but it does have the little warning triangle next to the gear indicator that I believe just suggests its not happy with something. No specific lights are on.
Do you mean on the dash here?
What does the check control say?
Perhaps I'm being stupid (or ignorant) but I wasn't aware of a coolant temp (let alone an oil temp) gauge on the E90 330i?
I had this happen on my 2007 e92 330i a few months ago.
Check your water temperature if you can stick a OBD reader on it for live data. My water thermostat failed (new back in July with the water pump) which meant it never warmed the water up and as it was open it would allow water into the heat transfer oil cooler system and keep the oil temp low.
Mine worked normally up to 50 deg and then opened fully so it never threw a code as it all reached a minimum in the set time before it would register a code of not meeting a min temp.
Check your water temperature if you can stick a OBD reader on it for live data. My water thermostat failed (new back in July with the water pump) which meant it never warmed the water up and as it was open it would allow water into the heat transfer oil cooler system and keep the oil temp low.
Mine worked normally up to 50 deg and then opened fully so it never threw a code as it all reached a minimum in the set time before it would register a code of not meeting a min temp.
g3org3y said:
Do you mean on the dash here?
What does the check control say?
Perhaps I'm being stupid (or ignorant) but I wasn't aware of a coolant temp (let alone an oil temp) gauge on the E90 330i?
Dash looks slightly different but yes that triangle. Car doesn't have idrive which I assume is where check control is?What does the check control say?
Perhaps I'm being stupid (or ignorant) but I wasn't aware of a coolant temp (let alone an oil temp) gauge on the E90 330i?
rsbmw said:
I understand that e9x had either an mpg dial or an oil temp dial, mine has oil temp
If the stat has failed, is that only affecting the reading or is it going to cause other problems such as controlling temp?
I'll grab a code reader
That's odd. I thought it was just M3s and the 335i that had the oil temp gauge.If the stat has failed, is that only affecting the reading or is it going to cause other problems such as controlling temp?
I'll grab a code reader
rsbmw said:
Dash looks slightly different but yes that triangle. Car doesn't have idrive which I assume is where check control is?
Probably like this then:
You can scroll through the menu options and get to check control using the indicator stalk:
Move the 'central button' up and down until you get to 'Check Control' and then push the BC button.
Mr Tidy said:
I knew E90 and E91s had no temperature gauge but E92 & E93s did, but I didn't realise it was for oil temperature!
Anyway my E86 Si has water temperature, but my MC has oil temperature and it has never got past 75 degrees so far - 70ish for oil might not be an issue.
Interesting that they felt coupe and convertible owners would be more interested in temp than economy. Perhaps the enthusiast's choice? Anyway my E86 Si has water temperature, but my MC has oil temperature and it has never got past 75 degrees so far - 70ish for oil might not be an issue.
(TBH I'm more surprised they bothered to make two different dashboards/set ups rather than the same for all (non M) models)Yep, E85/86 Z4 has water temp. M Models have oil temp.
I note in the little menu thing that oil level just has a clock symbol as if it's waiting for data, seems also that the oil level/quality sensor also feeds back temp info so my guess is that it's simply the sensor that has failed, temps probably OK. Perhaps this doesn't throw a code. Code reader arriving today so I'll take a look.
Booked in at my local indy next week for a service and health check anyway so we'll see what's what.
Booked in at my local indy next week for a service and health check anyway so we'll see what's what.
rsbmw said:
I note in the little menu thing that oil level just has a clock symbol as if it's waiting for data, seems also that the oil level/quality sensor also feeds back temp info so my guess is that it's simply the sensor that has failed, temps probably OK. Perhaps this doesn't throw a code. Code reader arriving today so I'll take a look.
Booked in at my local indy next week for a service and health check anyway so we'll see what's what.
The oil level will calculate with the engine on. It needs time to calibrate.Booked in at my local indy next week for a service and health check anyway so we'll see what's what.
From the manual:
BMW said:
For a precise measurement and display of the
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at
operating temperature, e.g. after uninterrupted
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You
can have the oil level displayed while you are
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a
level surface and the engine is running
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at
operating temperature, e.g. after uninterrupted
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You
can have the oil level displayed while you are
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a
level surface and the engine is running
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