E46 330i Question

[Mr_Yogi]

Hi,

just picked up a 2000 330i touring, it's just had an Inspection 1 and MOT, runs great... however when I start the engine the orange oil pressure light comes on as you would expect, but takes about 40 seconds to go out. From reading other (BMW) forums people were getting worried if it took more than 1 second to go out Anyone know if this is likely to be the beginings of a problem or nothing to worry about?

Cheers

[philmots]

Might need a top up (they use a lot of oil) mine used to stay on a while and as soon as i topped it up it was fine.

[Mr_Yogi]

philmots said:

Might need a top up (they use a lot of oil) mine used to stay on a while and as soon as i topped it up it was fine.

thanks, it's only had an inspection last week but I'll check it to be on the safe side.

[Mark_J_W]

I've had this on my old E46, its the oil level sensor (located within the sump I think). It's not expensive to fix however you need to drain the oil before, so probably best to leave it until the next service and just use the dipstick in the mean time.

I think this is the fix: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=3666...

[Mr_Yogi]

Mark_J_W said:

I've had this on my old E46, its the oil level sensor (located within the sump I think). It's not expensive to fix however you need to drain the oil before, so probably best to leave it until the next service and just use the dipstick in the mean time.

I think this is the fix: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=3666...

Thanks for that.

[TonyRPH]

Mr_Yogi said:

Hi,

just picked up a 2000 330i touring, it's just had an Inspection 1 and MOT, runs great... however when I start the engine the orange oil pressure light comes on as you would expect, but takes about 40 seconds to go out. From reading other (BMW) forums people were getting worried if it took more than 1 second to go out Anyone know if this is likely to be the beginings of a problem or nothing to worry about?

Cheers

The orange light is a warning for oil level.

The red light is a warning for low pressure.

It should be red when the ignition is turned on (but engine not started) then change to yellow if oil level is low.

As somebody else pointed out, the sensors are notorious for going wrong, and giving false readings.

Check the level on the dipstick, and if that's fine, you can ignore the yellow light (but not the RED one!!).

[road_rager]

nothing to worry about if you keep an eye on the oil level(they DO use oil)
as others have said it's the sensor, mines been on the duff since I bought mine 3 years ago!

[john_p]

It's the sensor that's faulty, as the "low oil" warning should only come on after you switch off the engine (or while you drive). On at start then off means it's broken.

Change it at the next service and make sure you check the oil every week (the 330s can use oil)

[Mr_Yogi]

Thanks for all the replies, stated the car last night and no orange oil light just the red one which went off straight away, same thing this morning. Maybe it's just because the car had been standing on the forecourt for a while? I will keep a close eye on the oil level though.

Thanks again.

EDIT: I'll see what happens when I turn the engine off.

Edited by Mr_Yogi on Thursday 29th July 12:30