Check Oil Level Warning
 

Every once in a while, I'll get a warning message in the instrument cluster of my 2002 4.6is (110K miles) telling me to check the engine oil level. Most recently, it happened a day after I had checked the oil - and it was fine.

Is this a common problem? Is it a sensor failure, or is there actually something going on that I need to look into?

On a related note, I do have a really stupid question. The dipstick in the 4.6is is different to every other BMW I've owned. It isn't really clear on how to read it, and there is nothing about it in the owner's manual. Can someone provide clear instructions on exactly how to read the stupid thing? Maybe there actually is an oil level problem and I'm just misreading the dipstick.

According to the manual, the sump holds 8.5 quarts, which is exactly how much I put in after draining the oil. But I've been losing and topping off so much while chasing leaks, that it's impossible to know exactly what's in it now.

This is happening to my wife's 06 X5 3.0i. Sometimes the SES light comes on, sometimes its just the message in the instrument cluster, and sometimes its both. Not sure what is going on...

The dipstick on the V8's are a pain to read its not just you trust me!!

From what I read you have to have the vehicle to its full operating temperature, stop the vehicle and make sure its on a level surface and wait a few minutes give and take and check the dipstick. Now if its still showing high on one side and low on the other the lower of the two is the actual oil level in the engine.

Fun isnt it! :p:

This might help (thanks to BimmerForum..)

http://www.billswebspace.com/Z4MS54O...s/image015.jpg

The message comes from one of two things, the oil level is low, or the sensor that detects the oil level is failing. On the E46, this is a common issue that is nearly always caused by the oil level sensor. I don't know that the E53 has the same issue or not, but you are describing the affects of a failing/failed sensor. It's pretty easy to replace on the M54 (3.0L engine). Well, it was easy on the E46, the E53 has the pesky deep oil pan that the E46 does not have. Having said that, the sensor is in the bottom of the pan, so replacing it on the E53 should be simple.

As has been pointed out in Post #4, the level is okay if it is anywhere between the two marks.

Thats not the problem. Im pretty sure he knows that as thats pretty standard on all makes and models. Its the V8 engines where they dont read level and on the actual dipstick one side is higher than the other is the problem.

Somebody linked the SES light with the low oil, this is an error. Low oil level is not monitored by the ECU, and does not trigger the check engine (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) light.

If you have random low oil messages and the oil is not low -- below the bottom mark on the dipstick -- then the sensor is at fault. If you have a random SES light, then you have something else wrong also.

Thanks for the tips!

wpoll: The 4.6 dipstick does not look like the one in the photo. It looks nothing like any other BMW dipstick that I've seen. I also have an E38 740 with the M62 V8 and it's not the same as that, either.

For whatever reason, the 4.6 uses a unique dipstick, and there are no clear markings on it.

The oil level sensor for the E53 is the same as the E46. It's not that hard to get to, other than the need to remove the aluminum skid plate to get at it.

you got a picture of what you have? Curious to see what you are talking about.

Yeah, I'll take one and post it.

Something to consider: I had battled the same issue a while back and replaced the sensor only to find the same fault showing for low oil level. It's not always the sensor. The wires for this sensor run down in front and along the oil pan. The wire wrap is almost always disintegrated from oil leaks and the wires rub and fray on the pan and the chassis reinforcing plate. As was my case, inspect those wires for a ground short too.

That's good advice. Always look at the wiring harness before replacing a sensor, any sensor.

I think I just figured out why my dipstick doesn't make any sense. I didn't want to go out in the rain to take a picture of it, so I just found one online instead. Looking at the photo of the part, it's obvious that part of mine is missing. That's why I couldn't make sense of the oil level. Duh!

Ouch... makes ya wonder where the rest of it went:yikes:... crap floating around in the oil pan/channels/weep holes/gallies!

ARGH!

Any who, curious what you find with the sensor/cable.

I had the entire front and bottom of the engine taken apart to replace the timing chains/guides. There was a lot of plastic debris in the engine from the failed chain guides. It's likely that the bits of the dipstick were mixed in.

Given the picture, and what you say is missing, you can see now where the MIN and MAX lines are, or should be. The MIN mark is still there, and the MAX mark is missing, but if the oil is anywhere on the stick between MIN and the part that's missing, then the level is okay, and the sensor is dying or dead. I'm going with dying else the message would happen every time your parked the car.

ok that would explain alot why you are not able to read the oil level. As you stated must have broke with all the other stuff roaming around in the engine. Well since all thats been replaced and clean just swap out the dipstick and you should be good.

He has a valid point. Forgot you were getting warnings. If you are still registering oil on the remaining part of the dipstick and still getting warnings on the gauge than yes its probably most likely the sensor

It's most likely the sensor. God, I don't want to drop that freaking skid plate again.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...y-diy-ers.html

FWIW: The dipstick was already broken when I bought the car. The first thing I did was check the oil because it was leaking all over my driveway.

Yes that Skid plate is robust but I am grateful that our X's have a real skid plate vs plastic ones that pretend to be a skid plate. 6 bolts and some wrenching and youll have it off. Since you put fresh oil in the vehicle you may just want to change the sensor on the next oil change interval.