Yet another yellow sludge case...
 

For years, my wife's E53 X5 asked for oil (low oil message on the dash) every 1-2 months. Today she commented that it hasn't asked for oil in quite awhile. I pull the dipstick and it's bone-dry. When I took off the oil cap, I see the dreaded yellow sludge is back with a vengeance.


http://i.imgur.com/noagcCq.jpg

We had this issue a few years ago. In 2011, we had the oil separator/CCV replaced and the problem went away. Now it's back. I added a quart of oil and it barely reached the tip of the dipstick, so I think the oil-level sensor might be kaput too. What's the normal dipstick level where the low-oil message should be issued?

Is it possible the sludge has accumulated on the oil-level sensor? Why does the CCV suck so much on this vehicle?

My wife's commute is 35 minutes each way - half highway, half city.

Advice?

WTF man, what kind of oil are you using Hellmanns? obviously the oil You are using is crappy......
sorry to come down on you but hope you fit it,good luck.

I've used a few brands over the years, but I always use 5W-30 in a full synthetic. Three years ago I was using Mobil 1 synthetic. These days, I'm using G-Oil synthetic (which I also use in my Tundra, my Yukon, and my 2006 E91 wagon with absolutely no issues).

The X5 is the only one that's done this yellow sludge thing, regardless of oil brand.

Good to hear , Good luck with that but Castrol Titanium w5 30 is really the best for bmw engines cleans them great, flows great , Bmw engine are hot running engines they run best HOT, Castrol just flows better in Bmws ............I had a 4.6is and now I am on a 4.8is the 4.6is died because of bad mechanics killed my engine. and oil flow was key to killing it.........................my 4.8is I am paranode about it , I been using the Castrol runs great the big V8 burn next to nothing about 1/2 quart every 4000 miles.
Good luck.

I like Mobil 1 oils too.One mechanic said Motul are great as well.

I doubt that the OP's mayo situ is a function of the 5W-30 full synthetic oil that he has been using...
We need another 'which oil is best'/arm wrestle like a hole in the head, and the oil debate will be of little comfort to the OP's problem, imo.

I was contemplating a diplomatic way to word this... Thank you.

Oh come on, another "my oils is better" posting will attract everyone with as much variations as there are oil brands.

IMO changing oil more frequently in the winter months, is one good option. The other is to go out once a week and take a drive and hit red line a few times AFTER it is nice and hot. Clears the cobwebs out of your head too.:D

This "mayo" problem (oil/water vapor collection) is wide spread all over European models regardless of who's brand is on the hood/grill. I just serviced a VW Jetta 2.0 Turbo that had the entire oil filer neck packed with the stuff. Owner (my sister) only drives short trips weekly and did one trip of 60 miles before I worked on it. Still had lots of mayo. Recommendations: Change it more often and drive it hard once in a while.

I wonder if a marginal, too-cool thermostat might exacerbate this?

I have an OBD-II ScanGauge I could use to see what the normal coolant temperature is on a chilly day. Unfortunately, it looks like the worst of the winter cold is behind us.

Regarding the oil level, anyone have an idea what the dipstick should read when the computer indicates low engine oil level?

2 QTS