Oil Level Analysis with EcuTek

[baagel]

iDrive was showing my oil level at "50%", but BimmerLink showed 79mm which should be "0%" ?

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[Loco38SUP]

iDrive was showing my oil level at "50%", but BimmerLink showed 79mm which should be "0%" ?

I swear the iDrive has a built-in algorithm to make it less accurate.

Its like a mechanical dip stick, depending on how the light hits it or which side you look at it will be off by half a quart.

-RJM

 

[32bitsofGil]

iDrive was showing my oil level at "50%", but BimmerLink showed 79mm which should be "0%" ?

The “raw” value tends to fluctuate a lot. You’re looking for the “min recognized value” that is the reading iDrive uses.

 

[baagel]

iDrive seemed a little more accurate today, it shows oil level at 25% (one notch above minimum).
BimmerLink shows 80mm. So this is more in line with the other findings in this thread.

 

[mkv_ppf]

has anyone fixed the oil checking problem? Just replaced the sensor and still nothing btw

 

[32bitsofGil]

has anyone fixed the oil checking problem? Just replaced the sensor and still nothing btw

Next up you need to replace the oil pump. If it doesn’t generate enough pressure it can’t get a reading. That’s what my dealer told me anyway. It involves dropping subframe and replacing those two bolts as well.

 

[XtremeMaC]

Next up you need to replace the oil pump. If it doesn’t generate enough pressure it can’t get a reading. That’s what my dealer told me anyway. It involves dropping subframe and replacing those two bolts as well.

Wut? Engine would be toast if not enough oil pressure???

 

[32bitsofGil]

Wut? Engine would be toast if not enough oil pressure???

Like I said, only relying what my dealership said/did to get it working again

 

[lucky phil]

Next up you need to replace the oil pump. If it doesn’t generate enough pressure it can’t get a reading. That’s what my dealer told me anyway. It involves dropping subframe and replacing those two bolts as well.

Oil pressure within realistic limits has zero do do with oil consumption. I can't believe BMW created an engine without some means of physically checking the oil level. As an aircraft engineer of 42 years experience all the jet and piston engines for that matter I worked on over those years had oil qty gauges but they always had either a dipstick, sight glass on the oil tank or you could visually see when the oil level was full through the oil filler on the tank. Any oil consumption calculations were always done based on "oil physically added and visibly confirmed" not what the cockpit gauges read. No issues with having an oil level monitoring system but a physical method is always the last word in engineering terms. BMW what the hell?

Phil

 

[FLtrackdays]

Oil pressure within realistic limits has zero do do with oil consumption. I can't believe BMW created an engine without some means of physically checking the oil level. As an aircraft engineer of 42 years experience all the jet and piston engines for that matter I worked on over those years had oil qty gauges but they always had either a dipstick, sight glass on the oil tank or you could visually see when the oil level was full through the oil filler on the tank. Any oil consumption calculations were always done based on "oil physically added and visibly confirmed" not what the cockpit gauges read. No issues with having an oil level monitoring system but a physical method is always the last word in engineering terms. BMW what the hell?

Phil

Dude…… coming from a MX5 and S2K, can’t help but think what happened to visually inspecting your oil? Like on a regular basis. Never sent it to a lab (unless serious issues) or having a computer gauge how full it is. It really is mind blowing. Glad you said what everyone is thinking! I love the car… but it’s so ass backwards.

A simple dipstick = no need for a whole program/app to measure your oil level or this thread ?. No harm or foul, just sayin… Speak freely @lucky phil Common sense greatly appreciated

 

[lucky phil]

Dude…… coming from a MX5 and S2K, can’t help but think what happened to visually inspecting your oil? Like on a regular basis. Never sent it to a lab (unless serious issues) or having a computer gauge how full it is. It really is mind blowing. Glad you said what everyone is thinking! I love the car… but it’s so ass backwards.

A simple dipstick = no need for a whole program/app to measure your oil level or this thread ?. No harm or foul, just sayin… Speak freely @lucky phil Common sense greatly appreciated

It's what happens when the engineering design department creates a system then the bean counters go" well now we have that we can reduce costs on a machining process on the engine block and a dipstick and dipstick tube". Nobody from the "real world end user" has an input. I've seen it many, many times.

Phil

 

[cram42]

I have another update based on data shared by @Branflakes123 and compared to my own findings.

The iDrive system based on oil level is as follows:

- 100% (6.6 liters) = 97mm
- 100% (iDrive max) = 97-85mm
- 75% = 84mm
- 50% = 82mm
- 25% = 81mm
- 0% (iDrive min) = 78mm (add 1 quart)

The engine has 6.6 liters at an oil change. This equals 97mm on OBD apps. From 97mm to 78mm is roughly 1.5 quarts.

When the system hits 78mm it will tell you to add a quart of oil. Once added the oil level will increase to 89mm and read 100% on the iDrive.

I imagine this is a factory failsafe to keep people from overfilling the engine oil. Though you will not return to 6.6 liters you’re still within an aceptable level to run the engine.

This information should help people that have a broken iDrive and can’t run a normal oil measurement.

-RJM

So I just measured mine via BM3 app, using the “Raw Oil Value” tab, and I’m at 103mm….. going to assume that’s why I smoked every once in Awhile coming to a stop.

Is there any long term damage? I’ll drain some out but just curious

 

[Loco38SUP]

So I just measured mine via BM3 app, using the “Raw Oil Value” tab, and I’m at 103mm….. going to assume that’s why I smoked every once in Awhile coming to a stop.

Is there any long term damage? I’ll drain some out but just curious

No damage but for sure blow-by being overfilled. Its best to pull some out before too long. 3mm = less than 1/4 quart.

-RJM

 

[cram42]

No damage but for sure blow-by being overfilled. Its best to pull some out before too long. 3mm = less than 1/4 quart.

-RJM

Thanks for the reply,

What’s the easiest way to drain 1/4 quart?

 

[FLtrackdays]

Thanks for the reply,

What’s the easiest way to drain 1/4 quart?

Suction bulb or the oil drain plug ?

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