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

Paydirtdog · #1 02-14-2010, 02:59 PM

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 · #2 02-14-2010, 03:45 PM

Sounds like your guy clearly screwed up.

killcrap · #3 02-14-2010, 03:48 PM

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

1stE53 · #4 02-14-2010, 06:27 PM

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!!!!!!

killcrap · #5 02-14-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

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 · #6 02-14-2010, 07:27 PM

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!!!!!!!!!!

papasmurf · #7 02-16-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!!!!!!!!!!

I go through a quart every 3k or so as well in my 4.6. I've heard that that is completely normal for the 4.6 to do it.

1stE53 · #8 02-14-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killcrap

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.

I was about to thank you for the information, I continued to read further along and noticed that other owners are not burning up that much oil. If I notice even half a quart missing, I top it off. I would never let it get over 1 qt low. I am checking my oil level weekly, 2500 miles later and like I said before only 2mm low on the dipstick. I will see when I get to 5K.

killcrap · #9 02-15-2010, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stE53

I was about to thank you for the information, I continued to read further along and noticed that other owners are not burning up that much oil. If I notice even half a quart missing, I top it off. I would never let it get over 1 qt low. I am checking my oil level weekly, 2500 miles later and like I said before only 2mm low on the dipstick. I will see when I get to 5K.

Don't need or want your thanks. The reason I got the 4.4 was because of the 3.0 oil consumption. Good luck!

Paydirtdog · #10 02-15-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killcrap

Don't need or want your thanks. The reason I got the 4.4 was because of the 3.0 oil consumption. Good luck!

Killcrap, what would you say is "normal" consumption on the 3.0 between oil changes of 10K miles? Using synthetic oil of course.