Engine Damage with low oil level??
 

OK, have not had any issues with the X in quite a while (knocking on a big piece of wood!). Noticed it knocking upon start-up they other morning and thought "that's what it sounds like when it is low on oil". Check it - not even registering on the dipstick. To keep it brief, I ended up adding 4.5 quarts to get it between the 2 lines on the stick!!!

Issues - (1) obviously my oil level sensor needs replacing because I never got the yellow oil can warning light. (2) pretty sure my shop shorted me on 3 quarts of oil on my last oil change - I usually burn a quart within 3K miles which is where I am at - this would explain it being so low without seeing any indication of a leak.

Question - what possible engine damage could I have with running it with only 4-5 quarts in it for 3K miles?? It seems to be running fine now and did during that timeframe.

The oil is probably shot, it got cycled through the engine a lot more than with 8.5 quarts.

Other than that, probably nothing damaged. Maybe a little more wear than normal, that's about it.

I'd just do an oil change with the proper level of a proper oil, and the level sensor while the oil is changed naturally.

OK thanks - I feel much better. I will be scheduling a shop visit (different shop than mentioned previously) next week to have the sensor replaced and an oil change with the correct amount of oil!!

FWIW:

My wife drove 7 miles or so with NO oil. No harm it would seem. No noise or otherwise. It's only been 3 weeks since, so maybe too early to tell.

If your wife drove 7 miles with NO oil, she would know! X5 DAWG, I agree with the others regarding the motor. You still had oil, although a bit low, but you should be ok.

Still had half the normal oil or thereabouts, so shouldn't have done any damage at all. Assuming you were not racing the car around corners while revving the engine up above 5K rpm - then you might have done some damage. Normal driving - no problem dude.

Awesome, thanks everyone. Was really hoping to get another 100K out of her.

engine might go 300K. Not sure everything on the X5 will. It's a good goal! I was hoping to hit 200K myself.

Oh trust me, I have replaced most everything else, including the tranny.