2005 x5 3.0 oil level

[rhalama]

I'm getting frustrated. Looked all over the internet and forums. Looking to find where and when a displays shows "low oil level". I have 210,000 on my wife's 2005,X5,3.0 and been running great. The other day I thought I would check the oil with the dip stick. Had to add 3 quarts of oil. No indication the oil was low. Doesn't it display on the dashboard or somewhere? Could I have a bad oil level sensor? I thought maybe a bulb was out and looking for a yellow light or something to prove the display dashboard works.
Anyone can help me?

[RenaissanceMan]

Yes, those sensors can fail over time. I had to replace mine at 204k miles as it no longer was functioning properly. For oil level warnings that is the only sensor. The warning light you have is for oil pressure. Always a good idea to get in the habit of checking the dipstick level regularly. The sensor on your 3.0 is located on the bottom of the oil pan. You need to remove the under shield to get access to it and obviously you would need to drain the oil to replace. Hope that helps.


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[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by RenaissanceMan

Yes, those sensors can fail over time. I had to replace mine at 204k miles as it no longer was functioning properly. For oil level warnings that is the only sensor. The warning light you have is for oil pressure. Always a good idea to get in the habit of checking the dipstick level regularly. The sensor on your 3.0 is located on the bottom of the oil pan. You need to remove the under shield to get access to it and obviously you would need to drain the oil to replace. Hope that helps.


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Saw a Youtube video where they replaced the M54 oil level sensor without draining the oil. One guy held a shop vac hose over the oil filler port to create a vacuum in the crank case and oil pan and when the sensor was pulled the vacuum pulled air into the pan through the sensor opening, keeping oil from leaking out. They put a new sensor in, tightened it up and then turned off the shop vac. Ingenious.

[andrewwynn]

The good news is that engine takes 8qt so you prob didn't do much damage.

I'm not aware of any level sensor on that motor but having driven one almost 80k miles i can tell you how to determine when it's low:

Count the seconds it takes to prime the lifters!

When my lifter tick took more than about 1.5 sec i was 1 qt low. Very consistent.

Keep in mind: full is the middle of the bump on the dipstick.

[andrewwynn]

You don't need to drain oil to change bottom sensor just hook up vacuum to the oil fill port. Works like magic.


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[RenaissanceMan]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

You don't need to drain oil to change bottom sensor just hook up vacuum to the oil fill port. Works like magic.


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Well that is a cool idea I hadn’t tried before. Thx for the tip!


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[andrewwynn]

I use my Milwaukeee m18 vac and a roll of electrical tape on the end of the hose too mate the two.

I have a buddy hold it but the vacuum alone holds it.

I changed both mine and wife's drain plugs to ones with valves this way and my sensor gasket on my n55 motor which run a full minute to pick off the old hardend gasket and install the new one.

It was a little terrifying watching the oil try like hell to come out it looked like the T2 terminator in the molten steel.

[Effduration]

The level sensor is bolted to the oil pan, and yes they do fail from time to time.

[cn90]

- The oil level sensor is installed at the bottom of the oil pan.
At this odometer reading, you may want to replace it using Genuine BMW sensor. I'd do this at the next oil change.

- Re oil consumption, search the web for "BavarianE39 CCV Mod".
I posted my own details in that long thread.

[AV8R4AA]

Mine on my 4.6is inoperative.
Waiting to do lower oil pan gasket at the same time.