Engine Oil - Slight over fill?
 

Hey guys, I have BMW X5 3.0d (2006)
Today i serviced it, but slightly over filled the engine oil.

On the dipstick, there is the Low and High mark
My oil level would be 2mm higher than the high mark

Is this a concern?
I am generally very particular with oil levels, but today i had a brain fail.
I don't want to over pressurise anything.

Thank You

EDIT: Oh dear, i never realised it was meant to be in the middle
I have always done it as close to the MAX as i can, without going over it

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

http://bimmerboard.com/members/q/ori...20dipstick.jpg

Good day!

Maybe I shouldn't chime in here, but I'll give my thoughts and a fix for your dilemma...

I think all vehicle manufactures put gray areas in where they can... I don't believe the engineers would put the MAX mark on the dipstick so close to the "engine damage level" that even a millimeter or two would ruin your motor... There would be so many ruined motors out there... I fill mine as close to the fill mark as I can as well... And I have overfilled mine on many occasions...

If you are super concerned, you could pull the filter and let it drain in a small bucket... One or two times would bring you down below the MAX line... That is if you didn't feel like crawling under the vehicle...

Cheers!!

Thank you williamx5, yes those were my thoughts too.

I could also suck some out of the dipstick hole
Or getting back under the vehicle is no real issue.
In my entire life, i have never over filled to the point i needed to drain off some oil.

But with the very low tolerance BMW X5 3.0d, i just wondered what other people thought of a slight over fill?

I overfilled recently when I checked too quickly*. At the time I had an oil leak so I left it since it will be down in the zone all but itself. If your car consumes oil, were it my car I would do the same.

*The oil was still working itself to the oil pan. I'm betting after a short drive it won't be as high (fills the oil filter etc)

Done the short drive thing.

And this X5 3.0d doesn't use any oil, it will be at the exact same level when you go to dump it at the next service interval.

In that case I'd aim for optimal quantity. The drain hole is easy to access or siphon from dip tube. $10 for a siphon bulb


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you wont hurt anything unless you really over fill it.

not familure with the specifics of this diesel but

If you get so much oil in it that the crank starts to hit it and froth it up that is when you will cause damage. The oil will have all kinds of air in it going to the bearings. almost every autocross guy with a straight 6 bmw runs with a full extra quart and I do too.

The only other thing extra oil will do is cause windage and reduce power a very small amount, but for a daily driver you will never notice it.

That's great feedback


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Thanks guys
I checked it again today, on what i thought was "more" level ground
Still the same reading
1 to 2mm over the High marking on the dipstick

It'll be all good. Don't stress.

Should be checking oil at operating temperature in case you are not. IMO, max should nerer be exceeded. I have never overfilled oil when racing regardless of the engine. When I become concerned about oil starving it's time for a dry sump and/or a deeper pan with a racing proven windage tray and maybe a crank scraper. Overfilling is more likely to be harder on the bearings than the proper level.

I don't see any reason to take any risk since overfilling is so easy to correct. I've done it. Now I line up only the oil I need so I don't risk losing count of what I have put in. If I have to add some of a full quart I pour the excess into another container so I can't add too much of the quart. May sound anal to some but takes only a few seconds more and takes care of my short term memory loss.

Pretty hard when the oil comes in a 10 litre plastic drum

But worse, i had 2 x 5litre containers of oil, that i was using to refill and make the job easier.
But then i just looked at what was left in the 10 Litre (after taking some out)
And thought, thats about right and just tipped it all in
(too many beers at this point)

It is amazing how Black diesel engine oil goes in such a short time
I guess i'll try and get some out today

I really wouldn't worry about 1-2mm over the max mark - assuming that's with the oil hot and and you checked it about 5-10mins after stopping the engine.

Yeah, I know what you mean about the black oil. 20kms after a change it's getting dark and by 100kms it looks like its done many thousands of kms. I change mine every 10,000km (6,000m) and it's like a singularity after that usage.

I'm due a change this week actually, along with a brake fluid flush (got the clock symbol on the cluster yesterday). I'll drop exactly 7.5l into the engine after the drain and filter change, then drive to get the engine temp up to normal, then check and top up to the middle of the dipstick - never quite got 8l in there yet. Like yours, Salty, it uses zero oil between changes.

Using a an OEM filter this time - couldn't get my usual Mann or Topran filter kit (no local stock). Usually pay about $30 for a Mann or a Topran kit but had to pay $50 for an OEM kit. :cool:

I get an OEM Filter with replacement O-ring and Copper washer for sump plug for $25 delivered to my home.
Can get the after market ones for $12, but i never have.

OEM http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Oil-Filte...53.m1438.l2649

When i started buying of this guy, 4 years ago, they were $19 delivered


7.5l you say, ok, i have never actually measured it
All i do is buy 10 Litres of new oil (either in 2 x 5 litres of 1 x 10litres)
And notice i have around 1.75 litres left after an Oil and Filter change

It had actually got to the point where i had enough oil left over from previous changes, i only needed 5litres + my left overs.

But a few too many cold beers on day got my not thinking straight.

Also, i have never checked my oil level with a hot engine??
On any vehicle. Is that what you are meant to do??

I've always let them sit over night, so all the oil drains to the lowest point
Then checked it in the morning before it is started.

Hmmmm, i'll give it a try with a warm engine and check what the difference is

PS: Im also about due for another Air filter and way passed due for a fuel filter, and i'm seriously not looking forward to the fuel filter replace :(
Shocking job for a serviceable part, then again, you can say that about the air filter too.

Unless you put 1 quart to many in your not likely to have any issues.

In fact the ones mentioning racing should note that several teams have turned in faster lap times running 1 quart low. When full the crank will slap the oil in pan thus slowing down lap times :) Only recommend on tracks with long straights and short duration turns of course. It only really helps if you are turning over high rpms on long straights.

Its not uncommon for people running S54 engines to run 1 quart over full to prevent oil starvation in high G turns. But on the same subject bmw warns not to go over the full mark on them. Go figure.

The C5 corvette owners manual recommends running an extra quart of oil if you plan on tracking your car. Not the same motor but it shows its not a death sentence.

But the main thing is just a bit over the full mark isn't going to hurt anything no matter what.

Yea, if 1-2mm was a problem in the manufactures eyes, they would have set the oil max line lower.

Ok, so is is the Oil Level taken with a warm engine

https://s26.postimg.org/bwkhfc8rd/IM...903_113258.jpg

The difference between Warm and Cold engine was.... Zero to maybe 0.5mm higher when Warm

https://s26.postimg.org/xx0tvyrfd/IM...903_113748.jpg

From the BMW 2005 X5 owners manual: -

Checking oil level

Oil consumption depends on driving style and operating conditions.

1. With the engine at operating temperature, i.e. after at least 6 miles/10 km of continuous driving, park the vehicle in a horizontal position.

2. Switch off the engine.

3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar material.

4. Slide the dipstick carefully all the way into the dipstick tube and pull it out again.The oil level should be in between the two marks on the dipstick.

5. Slide the dipstick all the way into the dipstick tube again.

Unless the owners manual for a particular car says otherwise, this is the correct procedure for nearly every car.

I did my air filter on the last service - not a bad job if you take your time (and watch a video on how to get the rear/top cover off first!). Need to do the fuel filter on my next service - which will be an Inspection II. Again, not a bad job, if you take your time. Less fasteners to remove for the fuel filter than for the air!! ;)

Thanks mate

Final Outcome
 

After getting the engine to the correct operating temp
I rechecked the oil level, it would have been another 1mm higher again

So while the oil was hot, i sucked some oil out the dip stick tube
700ml was removed to get it exactly on the High mark

I could have taken another 200ml out, but it was hard enough sucking out the 700ml

Thank you everyone

Good decision.