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      05-25-2018, 07:48 PM   #1
Eurocar11
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2013 with N20 engine suddenly burning oil - causes?

Our 2013 X3 2.8 (N20 motor) has been rock solid since we bought it new 6 years ago. Now, out of nowhere, it has started burning oil. Without exaggeration, it has not burned an ounce of oil in 6 years. Why now?

Below are the details.

1. We're the original owners. Currently has 45k miles. Oil and filter has been changed every 6 months without fail (regardless of mileage). When the BMW dealer would do their free annual oil change, they would use their 5w-30 stuff, but it was only put in 4 times and was only in there for 6 months until I did the next DIY oil change with Mobil 1 0w-40. It hasn't seen any 5w-30 oil for 2 years now.

2. Always used either OE or OEM filters.

3. No error codes. Runs fine.

4. I've checked the engine bay and under the car. No visible oil leaks anywhere and nothing on the garage floor.

5. At startup, no smoke from the tailpipe.

6. Air filter changed regularly and new spark plugs went in around 35k.

7. It has lost 1 quart in 1,500 miles driven over the last 45 days.

Anyone want to venture a guess as to why the sudden onset of oil disappearing? If you were me, what would you check and/or replace first?

Yours truly,

Puzzled in Portland.
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      05-26-2018, 08:55 AM   #2
Eurocar11
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I just thought of another possibility. What if it's really not burning oil, but rather the oil level sensor is faulty? It could be reading a quart low, but it's not really low at all.

I could test this of course by adding some oil and see if it changes the oil level. But if it doesn't, then I've overfilled the oil, which is a bad thing.

Anyone had their oil level sensor go bad? Besides connecting to a BMW computer system, is there way of checking the sensor itself?
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      05-26-2018, 09:42 AM   #3
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You could drain the oil and see how much comes out.
I had a car once that didnt burn oil but when it got around 3000 miles on the oil it started to burn it. I wonder if a compression check would show anything.
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      05-26-2018, 11:16 AM   #4
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The underbody aerodynamic panels may be concealing a drip. Consider having your X3 put on a lift, remove the panels, and have a look.
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      05-28-2018, 02:57 PM   #5
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carbon build up? Do you ever drive it hard? Mike need a good hard thrashing to loosen things up.

Trade-in time perhaps?
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      08-21-2019, 06:16 AM   #6
AM Jahan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eurocar11 View Post
I just thought of another possibility. What if it's really not burning oil, but rather the oil level sensor is faulty? It could be reading a quart low, but it's not really low at all.

I could test this of course by adding some oil and see if it changes the oil level. But if it doesn't, then I've overfilled the oil, which is a bad thing.

Anyone had their oil level sensor go bad? Besides connecting to a BMW computer system, is there way of checking the sensor itself?
Hi,
I have the same problem with my X3, 2012. What happened finally? What did you do to resolve this problem?
Only difference in my case is that my car has a little blue smoke at startup (after sitting over night), which I assume it should be cause of leaking oil from turbo oil pipe inlet during night onto turbine (Mine has the old version pipe without check valve).

Your reply will be highly appreciated
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      08-21-2019, 07:16 AM   #7
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Apparently mine has a valve cover leak. During the spark plug service the engine cover was lifted and mechanic noticed it was sweating oil from somewhere. Not enough to see oil level drop in the idrive but still there.
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      08-21-2019, 09:01 AM   #8
Wgosma
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pokerface View Post
Apparently mine has a valve cover leak. During the spark plug service the engine cover was lifted and mechanic noticed it was sweating oil from somewhere. Not enough to see oil level drop in the idrive but still there.
Internal VCG leak around spark plugs allowing oil to enter plug area is fairly common on many BMW motors as they accumulate miles/age. Only way to identify is remove valve cover and examine, see if oil is puddling around plug threads, etc.
this could be how oil is entering combustion chambers.

The oil is either leaking out or being burned in combustion chambers; if you cannot identify external leakage time to think oil is being burned- VCG internal leak, worn valves or piston oil scraper rings

Compression/leak down test may be in order here.
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      08-21-2019, 10:37 AM   #9
TheCoolX3
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An easier way to test Wgosma first theory would be to pull the spark plugs and see if they are all oily. At that point it would be easy to do a compression check.
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      08-21-2019, 10:58 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wgosma View Post
Internal VCG leak around spark plugs allowing oil to enter plug area is fairly common on many BMW motors as they accumulate miles/age. Only way to identify is remove valve cover and examine, see if oil is puddling around plug threads, etc.
this could be how oil is entering combustion chambers.

The oil is either leaking out or being burned in combustion chambers; if you cannot identify external leakage time to think oil is being burned- VCG internal leak, worn valves or piston oil scraper rings

Compression/leak down test may be in order here.
Sorry I will clarify that oil was found around the exterior. No concerns were raised about the combustion chamber / spark plugs.
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      08-21-2019, 11:36 AM   #11
Wgosma
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Keep in mind that if there is significant external leakage at VCG there may we'll be leakage into the plug area from that gasket also.

Take the simple route as other poster mentioned, pull plugs and examine condition.
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      08-21-2019, 11:40 AM   #12
Wgosma
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheCoolX3 View Post
An easier way to test Wgosma first theory would be to pull the spark plugs and see if they are all oily. At that point it would be easy to do a compression check.
👍....getting old, brain is failing😰
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