dip stick, please help!!
 

Hi, I always check my oil and its usually fine, however when I checked it this morning, the oil is half way up the entire dipstick in patches , it gives a solid reading up to the max mark and then there is a load patches of oil going half way up the dip stick! also the oil is very very thin and drips off the stick a little? Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance

Are you checking it at operating temperature, after giving it a few minutes to drain down (BMW says 5 minutes)? If so, the oil will run back down in to the oil pan.

Wipe the entire dip stick off, then check it again. You are seeing oil in the dip stick tube.

You appear to be concerned about it being overfilled. If so, the most likely addition would be water, and then the oil would not be translucent or straw coloured, but rather milky coloured. Is the colour normal?

Nothing to worry about. Check it in the morning you'll be fine

Isnt the valvehouse ventilation drain into the dipsticktube, maybe this is leaving oil?

Hi thanks for the reply, the colour of the oil is perfect and clean, it is very thin but maybe its meant to be? I'm more concered with getting a correct reading on the dip stick, I went to the gym for an hour or so this morning and then checked the oil when I come out of the gym and before I started the engine? I also checked it before I left my house this morning when it was stone cold and I got the same results! What's the best oil to use, is it 5/30? Can 10/30 be used? I think its a bit thicker, I'm having an oil change next week! Thanks

to be honest iv not got a clue what that is but i will defo mention it to the mechanic if i have to take it to him, thanks

hello , have you seen this happen on yours then? cheers

5W30 and 10W30 have the same viscosity during normal operation. It is during cold start that you have the advantage of running 5W30. I would just stick with the recommended 5W30 unless you live in a warm climate area.

Stick with 5W30, but the real issue is that you are checking it incorrectly. Engine has to be at operating temperature, then you have to let the oil drain down into the sump. Otherwise you won't get an accurate reading. See your owner's manual.

Ok thanks for the advice, I will give it a go tomorrow and see what happens and will stick with the 5w30