Questions for those who have performed a DIY oil change on the N20 engine - XBimmers

Eurocar11 · 06-21-2012, 04:33 PM

For those folks who have already performed a DIY oil change on the N20 (4-cyl) X3 engine, these questions are for you.

1. Exactly how many quarts of oil does the N20 engine take?

2. What is the torque spec for the oil pan drain plug?

I do not want to re-ignite the debate about interval oil changes. I plan on doing my own interval oil change soon but could not locate the exact specs for drain plug torque or oil capacity.

Thanks for your help.

Masaki · 08-31-2012, 09:25 PM

I am looking for this information myself with not much luck. I found somewhere a mention about 7 quarts, some say 5. 7 seems a bit much for a 4 cyl engine..

plymjack · 09-01-2012, 03:41 PM

Hi - It took 7 litres as per the book. Yes it seems a lot but that's what it wanted.
Quick and easy - once I found the oil filter "hidden" at the back of the engine bay under the air intake. I only did this one as a precautionary after 4000 miles. Will leave the rest to BMW service plan. It did look like it needed it too!

Eurocar11 · 09-02-2012, 07:43 PM

Since I originally posted the question, I did more research on the web and solved the oil capacity question. The oil capacity is 5.8 liters or 6.1 U.S. quarts.

I did the initial oil change and checked the oil level via the I-Drive. Oil level was dead on.

Where did I find this information? A web site called Automobile-Catalog.com. Look for the link to "Specifications", then search for the car in question.

The 2013 BMW X3 is not listed on the site. However, knowing that the N20 engine is also in the X1, F30 and F10 models, I looked up the specs for those cars and that's where I discovered the information.

The torque spec for the oil drain plug is still a mystery. I just "guessed" that the torque would be the same as the oil filter housing (25 N-m or 18 ft/lbs). So far no leaks.

Masaki · 09-03-2012, 09:53 PM

That website is a great find, thanks!

plymjack · 09-04-2012, 03:58 AM

Just to say 6.1 U.S. quarts is not 5.8 litres but is 6.9 litres ...... (No its not see below Wrong!)

sfax · 09-04-2012, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymjack

Just to say 6.1 U.S. quarts is not 5.8 litres but is 6.9 litres (nearly 7 as I previously quoted).

I think you'll find it is 5.8L. 6.9L is 6.1 imperial quarts not US quarts. 1 US gal = 0.83 imperial gal

plymjack · 09-04-2012, 10:58 AM

According to sources, the operating fluids capacities of this version of 2012 BMW X3 xDrive20i Steptronic are as follows:

Engine lubricant oil capacity:

5.8 liter / 6.1 U.S. qt / 5.1 imp. qt

Engine coolant capacity:

7.5 liter / 7.9 U.S. qt / 6.6 imp. qt

Fuel tank capacity:

67 liter / 17.7 U.S. gal / 14.7 imp. gal

So I will shut up again.....

wrp · 03-09-2013, 07:03 PM

My local dealer says the oil change capacity is 5.1 quarts for the 2013 X3 with the 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo N20 engine. I just changed the oil with that amount and the level is at max.

pyratio · 03-16-2013, 12:45 PM

does anyone know which oil filter wrench fits on the X3 n20 engine? Is it a specialty tool or can we use an oil filter wrench from the local auto parts store? Thanks!

~p

Masaki · 03-21-2013, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyratio

does anyone know which oil filter wrench fits on the X3 n20 engine? Is it a specialty tool or can we use an oil filter wrench from the local auto parts store? Thanks!

~p

This is what I use:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

06-21-2012, 04:33 PM	#1
Eurocar11 New Member Drives: 2013 X3 2.8 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 9 iTrader: (0)	Questions for those who have performed a DIY oil change on the N20 engine For those folks who have already performed a DIY oil change on the N20 (4-cyl) X3 engine, these questions are for you. 1. Exactly how many quarts of oil does the N20 engine take? 2. What is the torque spec for the oil pan drain plug? I do not want to re-ignite the debate about interval oil changes. I plan on doing my own interval oil change soon but could not locate the exact specs for drain plug torque or oil capacity. Thanks for your help.
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09-01-2012, 03:41 PM	#3
plymjack Second Lieutenant Drives: X3 (F25) 2.0D SE Auto Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Plymouth, UK Posts: 231 iTrader: (0)	Hi - It took 7 litres as per the book. Yes it seems a lot but that's what it wanted. Quick and easy - once I found the oil filter "hidden" at the back of the engine bay under the air intake. I only did this one as a precautionary after 4000 miles. Will leave the rest to BMW service plan. It did look like it needed it too! __________________ Dont and BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE . . Alpine White. . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . High Beam Assist. . Electric Seats . . DAB Radio. .USB/Bluetooth

09-04-2012, 03:58 AM	#6
plymjack Second Lieutenant Drives: X3 (F25) 2.0D SE Auto Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Plymouth, UK Posts: 231 iTrader: (0)	Just to say 6.1 U.S. quarts is not 5.8 litres but is 6.9 litres ...... (No its not see below Wrong!) __________________ Dont and BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE . . Alpine White. . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . High Beam Assist. . Electric Seats . . DAB Radio. .USB/Bluetooth Last edited by plymjack; 09-04-2012 at 10:59 AM.

09-04-2012, 10:58 AM	#8
plymjack Second Lieutenant Drives: X3 (F25) 2.0D SE Auto Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Plymouth, UK Posts: 231 iTrader: (0)	According to sources, the operating fluids capacities of this version of 2012 BMW X3 xDrive20i Steptronic are as follows: Engine lubricant oil capacity: 5.8 liter / 6.1 U.S. qt / 5.1 imp. qt Engine coolant capacity: 7.5 liter / 7.9 U.S. qt / 6.6 imp. qt Fuel tank capacity: 67 liter / 17.7 U.S. gal / 14.7 imp. gal So I will shut up again..... __________________ Dont and BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE . . Alpine White. . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . High Beam Assist. . Electric Seats . . DAB Radio. .USB/Bluetooth

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08-31-2012, 09:25 PM	#2
Masaki New Member Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	I am looking for this information myself with not much luck. I found somewhere a mention about 7 quarts, some say 5. 7 seems a bit much for a 4 cyl engine..

09-02-2012, 07:43 PM	#4
Eurocar11 New Member Drives: 2013 X3 2.8 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 9 iTrader: (0)	Since I originally posted the question, I did more research on the web and solved the oil capacity question. The oil capacity is 5.8 liters or 6.1 U.S. quarts. I did the initial oil change and checked the oil level via the I-Drive. Oil level was dead on. Where did I find this information? A web site called Automobile-Catalog.com. Look for the link to "Specifications", then search for the car in question. The 2013 BMW X3 is not listed on the site. However, knowing that the N20 engine is also in the X1, F30 and F10 models, I looked up the specs for those cars and that's where I discovered the information. The torque spec for the oil drain plug is still a mystery. I just "guessed" that the torque would be the same as the oil filter housing (25 N-m or 18 ft/lbs). So far no leaks.

09-03-2012, 09:53 PM	#5
Masaki New Member Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	That website is a great find, thanks!

03-09-2013, 07:03 PM	#9
wrp New Member Drives: 2013 X3 x28i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: United States Posts: 25 iTrader: (0)	My local dealer says the oil change capacity is 5.1 quarts for the 2013 X3 with the 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo N20 engine. I just changed the oil with that amount and the level is at max.

03-16-2013, 12:45 PM	#10
pyratio Registered Drives: 2013 x3 2.8i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: United States Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	does anyone know which oil filter wrench fits on the X3 n20 engine? Is it a specialty tool or can we use an oil filter wrench from the local auto parts store? Thanks! ~p