oil extraction pump; will the dipstick tube permit it

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

I’m pretty sure the X5 is standard M54 6.5l oil capacity, btw. But yeah, a good drain pan makes a huge difference.

Originally Posted by oldskewel

My 2001 Owner's manual, page 209, says 7.9 quarts capacity for oil and filter change on the 3.0i. 8.5 quarts on the 4.4i.

Not sure if that means the high point on the dipstick.

Elsewhere it says it is one liter (1.1 qt.) between the low and high marks on the dipstick.

Better to have a drain pan bigger than you need vs. smaller.

nick325xit 5spd- I think you're correct about 6.5L...in a M54 in a BMW E46! However, being the X5 is a truck, it gets more oil capacity (probably for towing purposes, but also since it has higher ground clearance than a sporty sedan).

About a bigger drain pan: I'm getting one first time I see one in a shop (NAPA, Autozone, etc) or Amazon on my next order. It'll be nice to make oil changes simple again, and spill-proof for a change.

oldskewel- I don't have a paper copy of the owner's manual, but the online copy I refer to also says, on page 209, like yours:


I couldn't/didn't properly measure the quantity of oil I removed, due to topping-out old, partially-filled, 5 quart oil and 1 gallon coolant jugs left over from other procedures (I haven't yet replaced the old 5 gallon tote I used before, when I dumped my old oil in a common 300 gallon tote, along with my fellow racing team members, left behind 50 miles away, years ago...I really need to properly dispose of it all, soon). Therefore I'm not quite sure how much oil I took out; but I did put in 8 quarts.

I filled it after I replaced the filter, then started it after 6 quarts, and nothing showed on the dipstick. Quart 7 bought it up to the low mark on the dipstick, so I dumped in the last (#8) quart. Should be ok, if just a little high, but the X5 is still up on the ramps, and the nose is elevated, so the dipstick might not be reading correctly.

After it dries out a bit outside (T-storms and tornadic weather passed thru here last night), I'll back the X5 to level ground, and after the engine cools a bit, re-check the oil level. If I find it way too high on the dipstick, I'll use the extractor again to bring the level down.

I've purposely run vehicles with as much as a quart too much oil (while towing in hot weather, using Chevy/GMC 350 engines), or a quart low on my last 427 engine in my Chevelle (to keep the oil from aerating at high RPMs while drag racing), with no ill consequences, so a little extra oil in the pan isn't of concern on the X5. So no problems foreseen.

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by oldskewel

Not sure if that means the high point on the dipstick.

I investigated and found a few videos on the subject. Here's my findings:


After my previous post, I moved the X5 to the best flat & level spot in our not-so-level driveway/parking area. I let it run for 10 minutes, then took the dipstick reading 20 minutes after shutdown. Here's the photo:


So, after adding a full 8 quarts, the dipstick shows it not to be completely full. As this is the same spot as it was when I got it in May '21 (and the level didn't vary but a hair, before the oil change), I can infer two things

• 1) my X5 holds more oil than specified, and
• 2) my X5 uses zero oil (per 1000 miles...actually 950)

[nick325xit 5spd]

Yeah, you’re right. Could’ve sworn it was 6.5.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by workingonit

Attachment 82764

When I checked my oil this afternoon before a quick cruise, it was ironically right where the line is in the pic. I top off at a quart down on the stick, so not quite there yet.


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[dkl]

Originally Posted by workingonit

I investigated and found a few videos on the subject. Here's my findings:
Attachment 82763

After my previous post, I moved the X5 to the best flat & level spot in our not-so-level driveway/parking area. I let it run for 10 minutes, then took the dipstick reading 20 minutes after shutdown. Here's the photo:
Attachment 82764

So, after adding a full 8 quarts, the dipstick shows it not to be completely full. As this is the same spot as it was when I got it in May '21 (and the level didn't vary but a hair, before the oil change), I can infer two things

• 1) my X5 holds more oil than specified, and
• 2) my X5 uses zero oil (per 1000 miles...actually 950)

My experience mirrors yours. Putting in 8 quarts put me to the midpoint of the dipstick. So, I'll add 1/2 a quart more if I wanted to bring it to the full mark.

[X5chemist]

8 quarts plus filter change has mine at half mark too. The oil pan has structure webbing that can hold oil.

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by Happy

When I checked my oil this afternoon before a quick cruise, it was ironically right where the line is in the pic. I top off at a quart down on the stick, so not quite there yet.

Originally Posted by dkl

My experience mirrors yours. Putting in 8 quarts put me to the midpoint of the dipstick. So, I'll add 1/2 a quart more if I wanted to bring it to the full mark.

Originally Posted by X5chemist

8 quarts plus filter change has mine at half mark too. The oil pan has structure webbing that can hold oil.

Thanks for the input...I'm glad to know mine's normal.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by workingonit

I investigated and found a few videos on the subject. Here's my findings:
Attachment 82763

After my previous post, I moved the X5 to the best flat & level spot in our not-so-level driveway/parking area. I let it run for 10 minutes, then took the dipstick reading 20 minutes after shutdown. Here's the photo:
Attachment 82764

So, after adding a full 8 quarts, the dipstick shows it not to be completely full. As this is the same spot as it was when I got it in May '21 (and the level didn't vary but a hair, before the oil change), I can infer two things

• 1) my X5 holds more oil than specified, and
• 2) my X5 uses zero oil (per 1000 miles...actually 950)

That's typically where my 3.0 is after an oil change and the necessary quantity.