Low oil

thepharcyde · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:27

Whats the damage of running a car with low oil. Just on my way out and driving my fav back roads, and the Orange oil light comes on. I believe it goes red too.

I pulled to the side of the road and turned the engine off, then on and the light went out.

So I drove to my local Frauds, and parked up, turned the engine off, and the orange light come on again.

So I checked the oil (engine was warm, but alas minimal oil on the dipstick level) below the min mark.

So just put a litre of 0W-30 Castrol in and driven home.

Another well done to Wollaston Motors. I have only had the car 3 weeks, and done around 1,000 miles on it. So they either did not check it, or the car has burnt loads of oil.

Anyway, am I likely to have damaged my E46 330 engine?

thepharcyde · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:28

The drive to halfords was 4-6 miles.

Thebug · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:35

Should be fine as there had to be some oil in there as the light was going on and off so it was pumping oil around.

Just check for any leaks and keep an eye on it.

thepharcyde · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:39

Just read my handbook.

Yellow: have a check performed soon
Engine oil level
If the light comes on during a journey; the oil level has dropped to the absolute minimul. Top up the engine oil at the earliest possible opportunity. Do not drive more than approx. 50KM (30 miles) before topping up the oil.

Lopéz · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:41

thepharcyde said:
Whats the damage of running a car with low oil. Just on my way out and driving my fav back roads, and the Orange oil light comes on. I believe it goes red too.

I pulled to the side of the road and turned the engine off, then on and the light went out.

So I drove to my local Frauds, and parked up, turned the engine off, and the orange light come on again.

So I checked the oil (engine was warm, but alas minimal oil on the dipstick level) below the min mark.

So just put a litre of 0W-30 Castrol in and driven home.

Another well done to Wollaston Motors. I have only had the car 3 weeks, and done around 1,000 miles on it. So they either did not check it, or the car has burnt loads of oil.

Anyway, am I likely to have damaged my E46 330 engine?

Quite possibly. Oil lights generally come on when the level or pressure is seriously low. As for damage, if anything you will have caused damage to the big end bearings which will ultimately lead to engine failure.

Wicksta · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:43

Lopéz said:
Quite possibly. Oil lights generally come on when the level or pressure is seriously low. As for damage, if anything you will have caused damage to the big end bearings which will ultimately lead to engine failure.

It's not an oil pressure light when it's orange though, it's an oil level one as explained in thepharcyde's last post.

MarkDavis · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:52

Big ends!!!!

Bit worrying that the previous owner couldn't get his/her act together in terms of oil maintenance. Shame you didn't check it after buying it - should have been one of the first things to check. Sloppy.

Lopéz · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:54

Wicksta said:
It's not an oil pressure light when it's orange though, it's an oil level one as explained in thepharcyde's last post.

Which changes nothing :confused:

Be it low oil level or low oil pressure that the light is indicating, the effects are the same. Low oil pressure (with the exception of worn engines) is generally caused by low oil levels.

Lopez said:
Oil lights generally come on when the level or pressure is seriously low.

As I stated - some oil lights are pressure driven, some are level indicators. At the end of the day they are telling you the same thing - not enough oil.

And the handbook states:

BMW Handbook said:
If the light comes on during a journey; the oil level has dropped to the absolute minimum

If the car was being driven vigorously whilst in this state then engine damage is quite possible. Low oil levels are bad enough - but when you're thrashing it the oil surges from one end of the sump to the other. Normally there is enough oil in the sump to counter this effect, but when levels are low you will starve one end of the crank of oil. Which is what kills the big ends and mains.

lordrobs · 21 Oct 2007 at 12:58

I wouldn't be too worried. These two level lights seem to be a result of longer service intervals and variable servicing. The first level light coming on shouldn't cause too many issues but its not something I'd be wanting to light up on a regular occurance

Wicksta · 21 Oct 2007 at 13:04

Lopéz said:
Which changes nothing Be it low oil level or low oil pressure that the light is indicating, the effects are the same. Low oil pressure (with the exception of worn engines) is generally caused by low oil levels.

Don't be so ridiculous. It is an indicator that the oil is at the minimum level. It is designed to come on long before any loss of pressure engine damage happens. It's like saying "OMG YOU@VE HIT THE MINIMUM MARK ON YOUR DIPSTICK - ENGINE RUINED".

The handbook even says not to drive more than FIFTY MILES, do you really think they'd recommend that if it meant the indicator was anywhere near a level that could cause damage?

Wicksta · 21 Oct 2007 at 13:05

Lopéz said:
Which changes nothing Be it low oil level or low oil pressure that the light is indicating, the effects are the same. Low oil pressure (with the exception of worn engines) is generally caused by low oil levels.

Don't be so ridiculous. It is an indicator that the oil is at the minimum level. It is designed to come on long before any loss of pressure or engine damage happens. It's like saying "OMG YOU@VE HIT THE MINIMUM MARK ON YOUR DIPSTICK - ENGINE RUINED".

The handbook even says not to drive more than FIFTY MILES, do you really think they'd recommend that if it meant the oil was anywhere near a level that could cause damage?

Wicksta · 21 Oct 2007 at 13:15

Lopéz said:
As I stated - some oil lights are pressure driven, some are level indicators. At the end of the day they are telling you the same thing - not enough oil.

Just to make thing even clearer, here is the exact wording from the BMW 3 series handbook.

Yellow Oil light:
Engine oil Level
If light comes on during journey: the oil level has dropped to the absolute minimum. Top up the engine oil at the earliest possible opportunity.

Red Oil light:
Engine oil Pressure
Stop immediately and switch off the engine.

See the difference in urgency? So the yellow light is just the same as the oil level on the dipstick being at minimum. Of course you should top up ASAP but you're far away from getting into a level that will affect oil pressure.

dalin80 · 21 Oct 2007 at 13:19

i thought the orange warning light on those models is actually the oil temp sensor which i know on some beemers is a issue due to a weak temp sensor.

might be wrong its been a while since i last had one in with that issue.

Wicksta · 21 Oct 2007 at 13:30

dalin80 said:
i thought the orange warning light on those models is actually the oil temp sensor which i know on some beemers is a issue due to a weak temp sensor.

might be wrong its been a while since i last had one in with that issue.

No, it's oil level for an yellow oil light on a 3 series (it doesn't go orange, only red and yellow) as per the sentences above which I copied word for word out of my owners manual.

Clarkey · 21 Oct 2007 at 13:40

either way, after your ordeal, I'd be having serious words with the dealer about this.

Dogbreath · 21 Oct 2007 at 13:48

Wicksta said:
See the difference in urgency? So the yellow light is just the same as the oil level on the dipstick being at minimum.

thepharcyde said:
below the min mark

Irrespective, driving a car whose oil consumption is unknown for three weeks without once checking the oil level is pretty silly.

Lopéz · 21 Oct 2007 at 14:18

Wicksta said:
Just to make thing even clearer, here is the exact wording from the BMW 3 series handbook.

Yellow Oil light:
Engine oil Level
If light comes on during journey: the oil level has dropped to the absolute minimum. Top up the engine oil at the earliest possible opportunity.

Red Oil light:
Engine oil Pressure
Stop immediately and switch off the engine.

See the difference in urgency? So the yellow light is just the same as the oil level on the dipstick being at minimum. Of course you should top up ASAP but you're far away from getting into a level that will affect oil pressure.

Under normal driving, I'd agree with you. Under fast A road driving, or lots of long duration bends, I wouldn't. Oil surge and starvation is not something that happens under normal A-B driving, even if levels are minimal.
If the oil level of an engine is at or below minimum level and you are thrashing it/driving spiritedly/whatever you want to call it, you are asking for bottom end damage, end of story.

Wicksta · 21 Oct 2007 at 14:30

OK we'll have to agree to disagree. The yellow oil light means that the oil is at the minimum level on the dipstick. This minimum means it has nearly reached the minimum amount of oil to feed the engine, not that it has surpassed it. All of these sensors in a BMW are set to allow a safe amount of leeway, it's the same with the remaining fuel sensor - it will last for ages after you hit zero miles.

thepharcyde · 21 Oct 2007 at 14:32

Dogbreath said:
Irrespective, driving a car whose oil consumption is unknown for three weeks without once checking the oil level is pretty silly.

I kinda agree, but in the 3 weeks, it has been to two dealers on 4 separate occasions I would expect them to also have tested? Like I already said 3 weeks after it has just come from BMW AUC 1000miles. And as a matter of course I do check my levels, but not so soon after taking delivery. Lesson well learnt.

Just been out in it and it is making a knocking noise now at low rpm!

Clarkey · 21 Oct 2007 at 14:50

Wicksta said:
OK we'll have to agree to disagree. The yellow oil light means that the oil is at the minimum level on the dipstick. This minimum means it has nearly reached the minimum amount of oil to feed the engine, not that it has surpassed it. All of these sensors in a BMW are set to allow a safe amount of leeway, it's the same with the remaining fuel sensor - it will last for ages after you hit zero miles.

If you actually believe this then you are deluded. This is backed up by the fact that the OP now says his engine is knocking. Coincidence? I think not...