E90 Oil pressure warning

[Southviewmayo]

Hi, newbie here who is after some help after very scary quote from a dealer.

Have been driving my 320i petrol (85k miles)and the oil pressure warning comes on after an hour or so of driving despite the car continuing to drive absolutely fine. Having read manual it suggests this could be quite serious and so I took to local garage who said they could not identify the fault code so I would need to send it to a bimmer dealer.

After having the car for a couple of hours they phoned to advise that in order to identify the fault they would need to run an oil service to identify the issue at c £260. This has not cleared the fault and they have now said that they should change the oil pump, and quoted £1300!!! A lot of money that I don't have. Having done some research I understand that the fault could be down to just a faulty sensor. Given the cost they are I suggesting is it worth trying the sensors replacement first?

Would it be out of the ordinary ask them to provide me with an email of the diagnostic report and will I be able to understand it anyway? Any thoughts on what the issue could be or how proceed would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks

[stevesingo]

Southviewmayo said:

Hi, newbie here who is after some help after very scary quote from a dealer.

Have been driving my 320i petrol (85k miles)and the oil pressure warning comes on after an hour or so of driving despite the car continuing to drive absolutely fine. Having read manual it suggests this could be quite serious and so I took to local garage who said they could not identify the fault code so I would need to send it to a bimmer dealer.

After having the car for a couple of hours they phoned to advise that in order to identify the fault they would need to run an oil service to identify the issue at c £260. This has not cleared the fault and they have now said that they should change the oil pump, and quoted £1300!!! A lot of money that I don't have. Having done some research I understand that the fault could be down to just a faulty sensor. Given the cost they are I suggesting is it worth trying the sensors replacement first?

Would it be out of the ordinary ask them to provide me with an email of the diagnostic report and will I be able to understand it anyway? Any thoughts on what the issue could be or how proceed would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks

I can't believe any garage would attempt to diagnose a mechanical problem such as oil pressure by relying on a fault code reader? I mean...WTF!

Tell them to measure the oil pressure and inform you of what the reading is and how that compares to the BMW recommendation.

[Southviewmayo]

Thanks Stevesingo,

It's the bimmer garage that are saying they have done the oil service and now believe it to be the oil pump?

[jasesapphy]

Few things

Ask garage for oil pressure readings, they will know what oil pressure should be at idle
And at 4000rpm

Why have they automatically diagnosed this

Have they stride oil pressure sensor

If it's is low oil pressure depending how low it may have already scored the journal bearings which means bottom end will need rebuilding

[jasesapphy]

Also why £260 for an oil change?

[Southviewmayo]

Thanks both, I've had the diagnostic report sent to me and it shows low oil pressure readings at different rpms and sensor has been checked. The computer generated report then lists pump as being required, so guess that is it and it's touch the toes time!?

[roofer]

Is there an invoice for a new sensor?

[Southviewmayo]

Hi roofer, thanks, no not on the report from what I could see. Buy it shows two different pressure levels at different rpm of around 950mbar and 990mbar so assuming the sensor is picking up a reading?

[jasesapphy]

Hi, if that reading is independent of the pressure sensor then it's about 15psi which is way to low, infact it may have even scrapped the bottom end as the journal bearings may have picked up

Would hate for you to replace oil pump but then still have a scrap engine

If that reading is taken from the sensor I would want I dependent gauge readings not sensor readings

Please ensure you ask what likely hood of other damage before processing

Edited by jasesapphy on Thursday 31st October 07:10

[stevesingo]

An independent pressure gauge would give me more confidence than the engine sensor.

990mBar, is this at idle? What is the pressure at higher engine speeds.

If it is the case the pressure is low, it may not be the pump, it may be worn bearings.

[dariusmaz2018]

Hi,

On my BMW 1 series E87 2011 reg...Im getting Red warning Oil light appearing on my dash and I checked my oil level and it is saying OK which the level which up to the max....I changed the Oil pressure switch from last year by BMW dealer...Does anyone know the cause of this ?

[iSore]

You don't say what year the 320i is - I'm guessing it's a 57 plate onwards car with the lovely* N43 engine. As does an 11 plate 118i.

Well, these things have an oil pressure control solenoid in the side of the block behind the alternator, the idea of which is to electronically control the oil pressure to give the pump an easier time and thus improve efficiency. But, like all great BMW ideas, they go wrong. I'd be looking at that, but also dropping the sump and cam cover, and inspecting the timing chain guide rails. These can break up and partially/fully block the oil pick up strainer. If that's still okay, I'd replace the solenoid and then get rid of it sharpish.

I'd stop driving this until fixed, unless you want a buggered crank as well. Most N43's will need a new timing chain kit by now anyway.

I'd get it away from a main dealer as well, they're just too expensive. Even at a specialist (where are you in the UK?) you're into four figures.

[dmarkovina]

Can you hear any tapetting sound - valves ticking? That is a teltel sign of low oil pressure. I had that on my 728i - caused by the valve cover sealant clogging the oil pump filter. Clueless garage who had applied it all over liberally instead of sparingly and only on the edges around vanos unit... Luckily had Ceratec in so there was no damage to the engine whatsoever.

[Vikrant]

Hello all, i have BMW 318i E90... 2008 model rn 57000 miles till date. For last 4, 5 months it shows up red engine oil light on dashboard but only after driving around 50/60 miles and once engine stops and starts after 5 minutes it goes away...dont find any problem in driving the car.
I had taken it to BMW authorised service centre in stockport UK. They have done tests but didnt find exact problem...
1. Ran oil pressure test via diagnosis-passed test.
2. Ran chan test(campaign) passed.
3. Put camera down guides, top of guide present.
4. Removed oil, solenoid valves clean.

Possible solutions suggested:
Unable to fault when tested.
Option 1- Fault may be guides partially blocking oil pick up. Would required Sump removal to investigate further..
Remove + Replace SUMP Gasket- 410 GBP

Option 2- Replace valve + Sensor - 320 GBP

Problem is in any of the option they are not sure problem will go away. I dont want to put that much money if they are not sure.
Can you suggest what can be done? Shall i take it to local garage if they can do it in cheap?

[Touring442]

I'd be getting the sump dropped and the oil pick up replaced. These are plastic and they're not immune to a crack. You may find bits of the lower chain guide in there as well. If that'd the case, a new chain and guide kit is needed.

A BMW dealer will absolutely rape you to fix this - a good specialist will be cheaper.

If you were thinking of changing the car, now is a good time. The N43 is a hateful piece of st and generally lots of trouble.