Added 4 qts. of oil! Where's it going?

[Paydirtdog]

I just checked the dipstick on my 2001 3.0 X5 and it was dry. I started adding oil and it took 3 qts before any showed up on the dipstick. I added one more and that brought it about half way between the add and full marks. The engine doesn't leak any oil and I haven't seen any smoke coming out of the tail pipe. The oil was changed less than 5k miles ago and I still have 3 green bars on the dash indicator. I'm wondering if the guy that changed the oil didn't put enough in when he changed it. Even if he put in 5 quarts it shouldn't take 4 more to fill it. I can understand maybe three if he only put in five and maybe it used a quart since then, but 4 quarts seems a little much. Any thoughts on this?

[m5james]

Sounds like your guy clearly screwed up.

[killcrap]

actually it sounds like a normal condition for an X5 3.0. the 3.0 engine consumes quite a lot of oil.

[1stE53]

I know these engines (German) burn a little oil, but should not go through over 1 qt or oil throughout its 10K interval. I had a VW Jetta that burned 1 quart in its first 1000 miles then didn't at all for about 5000. My E320 burns little less than 1qt in its 10K interval. I changed my X5 (2003) 3.0 about 2K miles ago. Dip stick down about 2mm from full.
I think the guy who changed your oil messed up by 3 quarts!!!!!!

[m5james]

4 quarts inside of 5k is pretty steep.

[killcrap]

Originally Posted by 1stE53

I know these engines (German) burn a little oil, but should not go through over 1 qt or oil throughout its 10K interval. I had a VW Jetta that burned 1 quart in its first 1000 miles then didn't at all for about 5000. My E320 burns little less than 1qt in its 10K interval. I changed my X5 (2003) 3.0 about 2K miles ago. Dip stick down about 2mm from full.
I think the guy who changed your oil messed up by 3 quarts!!!!!!

your compairing sedans to a suv. I work on these x5s for a living. The 3.0 engine is an oil consumer on the x5 it's normal. If the crankcase pressure reading is in spec and cylinder leakage is less than 12% then there is nothing wrong. I can pull up pages of history for x5s that enter our workshop. At least every x5 that is properly driven will have atleast 3 or 4 low oil lights come on.

[x54.6]

i have a 03 4.6 and is this normal for the 4.6 model too because it seems that i have to add oil alot in about the 3000 to 4000 mile range every time. Any info for me will help.THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by m5james

4 quarts inside of 5k is pretty steep.

...the most I've managed to use is a qt a thousand and, that

was quite some time ago in our car's 8 1/2 year history and came
during a series of very high speed days during a road trip, with the
accompanying high rpms from our 5 spd manual.

If the OP's car has no leaks and isn't smoking like a Cheech & Chong
movie, than that "oil change" must be somewhat suspect, imo.
GL, mD

[Paydirtdog]

The X5 has 127K miles on it now, but it never used a lot of oil. Maybe a quart or two between changes. It has done that since mile one. I've never been concerned about it and didn't check it that often but I'll keep a closer eye on it now. It doesn't smoke or drip so I'm supprised to see it 4 qts. low so soon after an oil change. It must have not gotten the full 7 qts. at the change. That's the only explanation that makes sense to me.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by Paydirtdog

...It must have not gotten the full 7 qts. at the change. That's the only explanation that makes sense to me.

Must have been; your 3.0 holds 7.9 qts per the manual...I've always
poured 8, with filter change.
GL,mD