F11 535i no oil level reading and some other errors
Discussion
Morning all. I changed the oil on my 2011 535i yesterday. All fine. Put 6 litres in with the plan to then top it off based on computer reading.
Used Bimmerlink to reset the service and initially got an error with words to the effect of, cannot reset. I tried it with the engine off but ignition on and Bimmerlink did then say it had completed the service reset but the car disagreed and I still got a service due in 1000 miles or whatever it was. And interestingly the oil level in idrive gave me a message of:
Measurement inactive. Service interval adjusted. Have the system checked during the next oil service.
Digging a bit deeper, I found quite a few error codes that can be cleared but do come back if I run the car. I'll attach a pic in second.
No EML or any clue that there was anything going on until I tried to reset the service clock.
Could this be a battery issue...?
Used Bimmerlink to reset the service and initially got an error with words to the effect of, cannot reset. I tried it with the engine off but ignition on and Bimmerlink did then say it had completed the service reset but the car disagreed and I still got a service due in 1000 miles or whatever it was. And interestingly the oil level in idrive gave me a message of:
Measurement inactive. Service interval adjusted. Have the system checked during the next oil service.
Digging a bit deeper, I found quite a few error codes that can be cleared but do come back if I run the car. I'll attach a pic in second.
No EML or any clue that there was anything going on until I tried to reset the service clock.
Could this be a battery issue...?
I had exactly these codes on my 2011 640i and the water pump died on me eventually. I'd be looking at getting that sorted if not already done, they're a known weak point on the N55. Basically all the components that are giving those codes communicate on the same line, and the water pump going out means the car can't talk to any of them.
Tbf I didn't really get a lot of warning, luckily it was -3 when mine occurred so no damage done, car didn't really overheat but it was getting hot! They said the fan running all the time even when cold is a good sign to tell, I couldn't hear it but could see it visually spinning. You're probably in early stages but it's one of those things where it's hard to tell. The codes matching mine are indicative to me.
dtulip8 said:
Tbf I didn't really get a lot of warning, luckily it was -3 when mine occurred so no damage done, car didn't really overheat but it was getting hot! They said the fan running all the time even when cold is a good sign to tell, I couldn't hear it but could see it visually spinning. You're probably in early stages but it's one of those things where it's hard to tell. The codes matching mine are indicative to me.
Cheers. To be honest, having read a bit more on the subject, it is looking quite likely. Seems a lot of people get these sort of errors in early stages of failure. I'd have had absolutely no idea if I hadn't tried to check the oil level. Car is running entirely normally. Water pumps aren't cheap are they?! I seem to have three options. Buy a £300 continental (OEM I believe) from autodoc and wait however long it takes to arrive. Buy from BMW directly which I think will be the same as above but £700!. Or buy a febi bilstein pump for £480 from parts in motion via ebay and get it this week. Time constraints are probably leading down the latter route as I need the car working next week.
Yep mine came in at about £350 for a genuine BMW one supplied by my Indy, and then another few hundred for fitting. Get the thermostat done at the same time as well is the advice I ve read. Bloomin over complicated German design! I have seen the Pierburg one recommended as well, which seems to be about £350 as well.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196985371236
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196985371236
Edited by dtulip8 on Monday 19th January 18:33
I don't know about N55 engines, but when I needed a new electric water pump for the N52 in my Z4 in 2016 my Indy fitted a BMW one that cost £500!
When I needed a new one for my E91 with the N52 in 2019 the same Indy supplied one for just over £300.
Both were Pierburg pumps as they were the OE fitment so you might find the same is true for the N55. The only difference is sourcing them from anyone other than BMW they will have the BMW logo ground off!
When I needed a new one for my E91 with the N52 in 2019 the same Indy supplied one for just over £300.
Both were Pierburg pumps as they were the OE fitment so you might find the same is true for the N55. The only difference is sourcing them from anyone other than BMW they will have the BMW logo ground off!
Thanks both. Pump ordered and should be here by Thursday. I didn't order a thermostat as I did that last year. Hopefully that will give me some sort of head start for this job! I'd forgotten how expensive BMW coolant is as well. Just ordered 9 litres of that for another £70. Need a lie down 
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