Massive Oil Release

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Rush

Thanks BCR.

While I would LOVE to do it myself, I would be relegated to handing someone else tools and and watching/learning intently.

I loved working on my '74 2002 with the ol' Bentley manual, but even then, If I could see gears or thingys inside the engine, that was beyond my ability. I can use tools, I just don't have the experience unless there was a step by step video. If something didn't match the video, I don't have the expertise and judgment to be confident.

Oh BOY would the first key turn after that experience be terrifying.

How do you know the head gaskets are fine?

Since you aren't going to do the work yourself I don't see any reason to try to troubleshoot the cause. As mentioned, get a diagnosis and estimate and bring it back here for input if you are concerned it may not be accurate.

Whatever you do DON'T start it. Checking the oil won't tell you anything. You could have lost two quarts of oil and gained two quarts of coolant.

[Rush]

The car absolutely will not be started again. I don't know much, but I'm pretty certain that most of what I do know is wrong.

But I do know that right now electricity + starter = epic failure.

I need to crawl under and look. Barring my own idiocy (a possibility) absolutely nothing that I can see from the top, in well-lit conditions, sprayed anything, anywhere. I couldn't see anything like that, and I couldn't find anything like that reaching down and feeling around.

[David.X5]

Remove the plastic pipe that connects the air flow meter to the throttle body. It is two hose clamps and two small hoses. You can even leave the hoses attached and just move it slightly to the side.

Then, Push the throttle body flapper open with your finger or a screwdriver and look inside the intake with a flashlight.
Do you see puddles of oil? All dry? Spike (The evil gremlin)?

[Rush]

Originally Posted by David.X5

Remove the plastic pipe that connects the air flow meter to the throttle body. It is two hose clamps and two small hoses. You can even leave the hoses attached and just move it slightly to the side.

Then, Push the throttle body flapper open with your finger or a screwdriver and look inside the intake with a flashlight.
Do you see puddles of oil? All dry? Spike (The evil gremlin)?

Basically, I want to loosen number 4, push it aside, and look into where I have the big red arrow?



Does Spike bite? If so, I will be sure to use a screwdriver to look inside.

Thanks, David.

[David.X5]

Yes, and the second hose clamp is between #3 and #6 in your picture. Keep the screwdriver nearby to stab spike if he gets frisky.

[David.X5]

It's a straight line to peer into the intake on the 4.4 once you have the flap pushed up. Looks like it's not so straight on the 4.6. Good luck.

[Awntchi]

Bmw does not recommend the engine being warm when checking or topping up the oil. Both BMW Dubai and Gothenburg told me this. Also, is it possible that the engine had too much oil in it before it leaked?

As for the milky stuff in the oil, sure it could come from the ccv pipes/hoses but that's just an indicator to a faulty headgasket. I've had my fair share of overheating or milky bmw engines over the years and changing the ccv, rocker gaskets, hoses and even manifolds might make it a bit better but it will not last.

If you do decide to start the car eventually, check the exhaust for white or bluish smoke, uneven idle, engine temperature, coolant level and rough acceleration. These are the prime indicators for a blown head gasket.



Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[bcredliner]

[QUOTE=Awntchi;1070044]Bmw does not recommend the engine being warm when checking or topping up the oil. Both BMW Dubai and Gothenburg told me this. Also, is it possible that the engine had too much oil in it before it leaked?

As for the milky stuff in the oil, sure it could come from the ccv pipes/hoses but that's just an indicator to a faulty headgasket. I've had my fair share of overheating or milky bmw engines over the years and changing the ccv, rocker gaskets, hoses and even manifolds might make it a bit better but it will not last.

If you do decide to start the car eventually, check the exhaust for white or bluish smoke, uneven idle, engine temperature, coolant level and rough acceleration. These are the prime indicators for a blown head gasket.


Checking oil level
Approximate capacity is 8.2 US quarts/ 7.8 liters.
Oil consumption depends on driving style and operating conditions.

1. With the engine at operating temper- ature, i.e. after at least 6 miles/10 km of continuous driving, park the vehi- cle in a horizontal position
We recommend that you mix the
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar material
2. Switch off the engine
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
4. Slide the dipstick carefully all the way into the dipstick tube and pull it out again.
The oil level should be in between the two marks on the dipstick
5. Slide the dipstick all the way into the dipstick tube again.

This is a direct pull from the X5 BMW manual.

[Awntchi]

[QUOTE=bcredliner;1070071]

Originally Posted by Awntchi

Bmw does not recommend the engine being warm when checking or topping up the oil. Both BMW Dubai and Gothenburg told me this. Also, is it possible that the engine had too much oil in it before it leaked?

As for the milky stuff in the oil, sure it could come from the ccv pipes/hoses but that's just an indicator to a faulty headgasket. I've had my fair share of overheating or milky bmw engines over the years and changing the ccv, rocker gaskets, hoses and even manifolds might make it a bit better but it will not last.

If you do decide to start the car eventually, check the exhaust for white or bluish smoke, uneven idle, engine temperature, coolant level and rough acceleration. These are the prime indicators for a blown head gasket.


Checking oil level
Approximate capacity is 8.2 US quarts/ 7.8 liters.
Oil consumption depends on driving style and operating conditions.

1. With the engine at operating temper- ature, i.e. after at least 6 miles/10 km of continuous driving, park the vehi- cle in a horizontal position
We recommend that you mix the
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar material
2. Switch off the engine
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
4. Slide the dipstick carefully all the way into the dipstick tube and pull it out again.
The oil level should be in between the two marks on the dipstick
5. Slide the dipstick all the way into the dipstick tube again.

This is a direct pull from the X5 BMW manual.

Yes i read this just when I bought my X and followed it when checking the oil. Until I took it to the dealer (Dubai) for a top up...its for free there. The technician told me to have a coffee as the car needs to be cool before checking the level and topping up. Same thing in Sweden minus the free part....they thought I was making a run for it and came after me telling me I have to pay haha

Nonetheless, I belive the issue in this thread is linked to a bad head gasket with the possibility of over filling with oil. My friend made this mistake with his 4.8is and the car basically threw up the excess oil, damaging the gaskets...resulting in the coolant entering places it shouldn't.

[bcredliner]

[QUOTE=Awntchi;1070097]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Yes i read this just when I bought my X and followed it when checking the oil. Until I took it to the dealer (Dubai) for a top up...its for free there. The technician told me to have a coffee as the car needs to be cool before checking the level and topping up. Same thing in Sweden minus the free part....they thought I was making a run for it and came after me telling me I have to pay haha

Nonetheless, I belive the issue in this thread is linked to a bad head gasket with the possibility of over filling with oil. My friend made this mistake with his 4.8is and the car basically threw up the excess oil, damaging the gaskets...resulting in the coolant entering places it shouldn't.

FYI- The BMW procedure is not exclusive to BMW. That is the standard operating procedure for all vehicles so that the engine is not overfilled. I suggest you don't return to those dealerships.