Disappearing oil
 

I don't have access to the truck until later tonight, but I was called and told the truck is using 4 quarts of oil every 3 days and there is no leak. Came on out of nowhere after an oil change. What could be the issue? I thought if it were the valley pan gasket I'd have a water issue so I am not sure what the issue is.

Oil separator? If it isn't leaking, it must be burning it up. We had our X5 burn a quart every 600 miles and our problem was the oil separator not sending the oil back into the oil pan. It would cause you to hydrolock your engine when it gets cold, but I wouldn't worry about it much in TN; just get it done soon so you're not burning up so much oil.

Thanks! Any other guesses?

oil seperator would be my guess as well

Has anyone published an article on the diy cost and/or procedure that is any further info than this Oil Separator and Intake Manifold DIY - E46Fanatics

That has pics or more?

I pulled the engine cover and there is some coolant under the intake so I guess we can start pointing the finger to the OSV for certain it seems.

Not sure why that points the finger at the oil separator. There is no coolant in the oil separator. More likely to be a valley pan gasket.

Have you confirmed actual oil consumption?

these links should explain the oil separator
oil consumption is due to failure of the diaphragm at the rear of the manifold . diagnosing and replacement shown on the video for a 7 series but same engine .

you can fix it and clean out the manifold whilst you are replacing the valley pan gasket .

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ve-issues.html

How to change a dead OSV on a BMW E38 7 Series with an M62 V8 4.4L engine. - YouTube

Valleypan ftw. I would change both while your under there

Right now I have to do the oil separator. The truck was sold to family and I do what they are willing to buy. They have the separator, the back plate, and hoses so it will be a complete replacement of all the related stuff to the separator. The BMW guy here believes the backplate is to blame instead of the separator itself and says in our climate that is usually what goes. I REALLY wish someone had some pics of this done on a 4.4i, but I have been unable to find them for anything but a 3.0

In case you missed my post here it is again . watch the video , it shows how to replace the rear cover and diaphragm on a 7 series , same procedure as the X5 . the X5 has the additional separator bottle as shown on the other link to an xoutpost thread .
A burst diaphragm allows oil to be drawn into the cylinders . not always causing smoke .

How to change a dead OSV on a BMW E38 7 Series with an M62 V8 4.4L engine. - YouTube

I see it thank you, I was on a mobile earlier so I couldn't fully review. I don't see the whole procedure from any source, just bits and pieces to put together but I have a good start. Much appreciated.

This happened to me as well.
Had it changed oil. Definite 8 liters of oil was refilled.
Still no oil via the dipstick. :dunno: