Can't check oil level when engine is hot

Shanenm · 02-13-2023, 07:17 AM

Hi, Can anyone please tell me if this is normal; I can only check my oil level when my engine is well below normal operating temperature. I need to check my oil when when my car has been running for around 10 minutes or so, once the car warms up more than that, it will stop the oil level check around 17 to 20%. Can anyone please confirm if you are able to check your oil level after your car has been running for more than 20 - 25 minutes? I asked 2 BMW mechanics and they couldn't answer me because they are usually working on cold cars and just let the car run long enough to get the engine warm, not hot. I have a 2013 4 cylinder X3. Thanks

burningmango · 02-13-2023, 11:27 PM

I have this exact issue with my 2013 6 cyl N55 as well. I have yet to replace my oil level sensor to confirm if that is the issue. But on my last oil change, I only poured 6qt just to check and indeed it did send a warning that I'm a quart short after about 2 minutes of running.

Barbera335 · 02-14-2023, 07:07 AM

When hot the vehicle is not building enough oil pressure and the oil level check aborts. My guess since you have an N20 is you likely need the timing chain replaced. There may be timing chain debris in the oil pump pickup. It could also be a defective oil control valve on the side of the engine near the oil pump or just a bad oil pump. Minus the timing chain, the same applies to the N55. Eventually on either engine you will cross the threshold to trigger an oil pressure warning.

Shanenm · 02-14-2023, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burningmango

I have this exact issue with my 2013 6 cyl N55 as well. I have yet to replace my oil level sensor to confirm if that is the issue. But on my last oil change, I only poured 6qt just to check and indeed it did send a warning that I'm a quart short after about 2 minutes of running.

Thanks.

Shanenm · 02-14-2023, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbera335

When hot the vehicle is not building enough oil pressure and the oil level check aborts. My guess since you have an N20 is you likely need the timing chain replaced. There may be timing chain debris in the oil pump pickup. It could also be a defective oil control valve on the side of the engine near the oil pump or just a bad oil pump. Minus the timing chain, the same applies to the N55. Eventually on either engine you will cross the threshold to trigger an oil pressure warning.

Thanks for the respons......FYI, i replaced the timing chain a while back. I also replace the oil level sensor and the oil control valve but that didn't seem to fix it. I'm going to try to do a full software update next.

pungo · 02-14-2023, 10:42 AM

Curious why you created another thread about the same issue for the thread you created last month? Doing so looses the previous discussion history

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1983786

Shanenm · 02-14-2023, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pungo

Curious why you created another thread about the same issue for the thread you created last month? Doing so looses the previous discussion history

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1983786

because that thread went cold and nobody confirmed if they were able to check their oil when their engine was hot. I needed to know if it was fixed or if I need to spend more money.......looks like I need to spend more money.

Bdavi011 · 02-14-2023, 03:10 PM

Mine just started doing this. N55 with 117k miles. It reaches around 20% then stops. I recently did an oil change too.

Haven't done any repairs to the car recently, I'll keep an eye on this thread if anyone has a solution.

littleob · 02-14-2023, 03:56 PM

I have an n20 and I check the oil when the motor is hot. I am not sure the year of the motor as the dealership installed a new out of the crate n20 when I bought it two years ago

Shanenm · 02-15-2023, 01:41 PM

FYI, I just did a reprogram and that didn't work either, so I'm going to let it go for now. I'm going to keep checking the oil when it's warm (not hot) and hope that it tells me when it's low. I should know soon, as I do burn a little bit of oil.

n55david · 02-20-2023, 07:06 AM

You need to change the sensor.

Shanenm · 02-22-2023, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n55david

You need to change the sensor.

Thanks but my mechanic change the oil sensor and the pressure valve and ran an update on those related modules and it didn't work.

Bdavi011 · 02-22-2023, 02:13 PM

I was able to check the oil on my car. Seems to be hit or miss when it wants to work or not.

Wishing it just had a simple dipstick.

02-13-2023, 07:17 AM	#1
Shanenm New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Can't check oil level when engine is hot Hi, Can anyone please tell me if this is normal; I can only check my oil level when my engine is well below normal operating temperature. I need to check my oil when when my car has been running for around 10 minutes or so, once the car warms up more than that, it will stop the oil level check around 17 to 20%. Can anyone please confirm if you are able to check your oil level after your car has been running for more than 20 - 25 minutes? I asked 2 BMW mechanics and they couldn't answer me because they are usually working on cold cars and just let the car run long enough to get the engine warm, not hot. I have a 2013 4 cylinder X3. Thanks Last edited by Shanenm; 02-13-2023 at 09:16 AM..
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02-13-2023, 11:27 PM	#2
burningmango New Member 13 Rep 27 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 35i, E46 330Ci Join Date: May 2021 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I have this exact issue with my 2013 6 cyl N55 as well. I have yet to replace my oil level sensor to confirm if that is the issue. But on my last oil change, I only poured 6qt just to check and indeed it did send a warning that I'm a quart short after about 2 minutes of running.
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02-14-2023, 07:07 AM	#3
Barbera335 Captain 169 Rep 660 Posts Drives: F25 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	When hot the vehicle is not building enough oil pressure and the oil level check aborts. My guess since you have an N20 is you likely need the timing chain replaced. There may be timing chain debris in the oil pump pickup. It could also be a defective oil control valve on the side of the engine near the oil pump or just a bad oil pump. Minus the timing chain, the same applies to the N55. Eventually on either engine you will cross the threshold to trigger an oil pressure warning.
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02-14-2023, 10:42 AM	#6
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Curious why you created another thread about the same issue for the thread you created last month? Doing so looses the previous discussion history https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1983786
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02-14-2023, 03:10 PM	#8
Bdavi011 Private First Class 54 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 3.5i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Mine just started doing this. N55 with 117k miles. It reaches around 20% then stops. I recently did an oil change too. Haven't done any repairs to the car recently, I'll keep an eye on this thread if anyone has a solution.
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02-14-2023, 03:56 PM	#9
littleob Private First Class 22 Rep 104 Posts Drives: BMW e36ic, 2013 x3 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Braintree Ma iTrader: (0)	I have an n20 and I check the oil when the motor is hot. I am not sure the year of the motor as the dealership installed a new out of the crate n20 when I bought it two years ago
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02-15-2023, 01:41 PM	#10
Shanenm New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	FYI, I just did a reprogram and that didn't work either, so I'm going to let it go for now. I'm going to keep checking the oil when it's warm (not hot) and hope that it tells me when it's low. I should know soon, as I do burn a little bit of oil.
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02-20-2023, 07:06 AM	#11
n55david Check out my Youtube @n55david! 1296 Rep 3,533 Posts Drives: 2017 m240i, 2015 X3 x35i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Michigan USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 m240i xDrive [0.00] 2015 X3 x35i [0.00] 2015 335i xdrive [0.00]	You need to change the sensor. __________________ 2017 m240i xDrive 10.99@122.86mph bootmod3 stage 2+ ots 2015 335i xDrive 10.95@124.99mph w/bm3 - SOLD 2015 X3 x35i pwg 12.96 catless w/bm3 stage 2 93 ots IG: @n55david For pics and updates! Youtube: @ n55david For videos or Racing etc
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02-22-2023, 02:13 PM	#13
Bdavi011 Private First Class 54 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 3.5i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I was able to check the oil on my car. Seems to be hit or miss when it wants to work or not. Wishing it just had a simple dipstick.
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