check oil level.

[Pras]

Hi all!

This is my first time posting, but i have been reading this forum for a month or so.

I decided to post because last night when i returned home, i parked my X5 and got a "check oil level" message. As it was late and freezing outside i decided to wait until this morning. I checked the oil level and it is fine and at the correct levels, so i didn't think much of it.

I started the X this morning and saw white/greyish smoke coming out the exhaust, but it quickly stopped and returned to normal after about 15 seconds.

Just wondering if this is normal and if it was caused by maybe very very cold weather the past few days??? I read thru some posts and people say that my oil level sensor may need replacing, but also the white/grey smoke could be a sign of a broken head gasket??? This scares me and any insight would be appreciated! thanks!

[eomran]

what year is yours?
did happen when you are shutting the engine off or when driving?
how many miles you drove the night?
when was your last oil change?

it is likely to be very sensetive(bad) oil level sender

[Pras]

I drive an 03 4.4i. Only 48k when i purchased it. I drove maybe 50km last night and i saw the message when i shut off the engine. I checked the oil this morning and it seemed fine although i only warmed the car up for about 3minutes before i checked the oil. Am i doing that properly?

Then i saw the white/grey smoke this morning when i started the car to warm it up, but the smoke dissappeared after about 15 seconds.

and i just purchased the X5 used about 3 weeks ago and the dealer was supposed to have changed the oil upon delivery.

[eomran]

it is your oil level sender, I have the same problem on my 2001 4.4, and after very detailed check up by the dealer, it was found that it is the oil level sender.
if the oil is low it is supposed to give you the messege while driving.
this condition will happen, when the oil is used for at least 3 000 miles, highway driving and speed( a lot of acceleration), does not happen with city driving.

your option is to change the sender or just live with it(coast $289 dealer) or you do it your self for $95(parts)

[Pras]

Thanks! My X is still under factory warrenty until october so i hope that covers the oil level sensor.

But how about the white/grey smoke? is this something i should worry about or is this normal considering -15 temps for the past few days...

[eomran]

normal when first start the car