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Feedback on very high oil consumption?

2K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  greg 
#1 ·
I bought my 2000 M5 with about 143,000 kms on it. I checked the oil level and it was fine (at max). The car now as about 144,000 and I got the "Check Engine Oil Level" warning on the dash. I checked the oil and it was near the minimum level. I just added a full liter of oil. Is this normal? And I still get some black smoke coming from the exhausts at full throttle. The dealer said it was due to MAFs (which they changed) and it did reduce the level of smoke but didn't cure the smoke problem.
 
#3 ·
Some early M5's use more oil than others but it can be quite random.

If the dealer changed the Maf's and O2 sensors just run it for a while and see if the smoke lesens. Neither of those will solve the Oil consumption though, its important to keep an eye on that and make sure it doesn't fall below minimum.
 
#5 ·
Well, kind of.

BMW's tollerance is 1 litre in 600 miles. As in they will not consider changing the engine unless its using at least this much.

However you have to still have the warranty of course. If you do then I'd take a walk down there and tell them its not right, see how far you get.

Some use 1 litre in 7,500 miles, some don't top up at all between changes. But if very much depends on how you drive it. Mine is a 2000 and I'll use 1 litre for every 2000 miles or so. But if I track it I can find myself using 1 litre in 150 miles.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Hate to say it, but you might have an oil leak. I share the same symptoms as you, always having to add a liter of oil every 1,000 miles.

My trusty mechanic put my car in the air, looked at the undercarriage cover that covers the engine, and low and behold there is an oil leak.

Just offering other possibilities as to why your oil consumption is high :)
 
#7 ·
Are you using the Castrol 10-60? My consumption went way down when I switched.
 
#8 ·
I'd go with Cemessi on the oil leak. If your oil consumption was normal and all of a sudden jumped up to the levels you are experiencing then looking for an oil leak might be a good place to start. From experience, the underpan cover could hold quite a bit of oil from a steady drip without showing marks on your garage floor, and then "clean" itself out when driving with airflow. I only noticed the leak (coming from VANOS o-ring seals, which was a cheap fix) when I changed the tranny fluid. Make some time to crawl under the car or take it to a shop with a lift.

Keep us posted.

Rudi
 
#10 ·
Hi people! I own a 1999 M5 with 48500 original kilometers and I started having the same problem with oil consumption. I use the Castrol 10-60 and, because I live in Greece where the temperatures are quite high, especially on summers, I am thinking on switching to something else. While driving quite fast on summers, the engine consumes about 1 quart every 1000 kilometers. Anyways, I check the oil level almost everyday. I don't wait for the check control warning, and I strongly advise you guys to do the same. Thanks for your time
 
#11 ·
namnol said:
Kain.... do you still have the problems with your car? You metioned of another post your car is not revving properly and that it is using a lot of oil.

Is is sorted now with the new flywheel and oil leak sorted?
Yes, I thought it was using a lot of oil but that was due to the engine oil leak which has been fixed. The car not revving properly was due to the O2 sensors which have also been replaced.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I have just had the same problem about 1L per week 300-400 miles, eventually booked it into BMW had the engine flushed and filled with LL04 and they noticed the sump plug was leaking, anyway this was repaired, I can honestly say I did not notice any oil dripping from my car, as its covered by the tray, so I dont know if it was the engine flush or the sump plug, but I have used no oil since the change.............
 
#13 ·
It's an important reminder for everyone - OIL LEAKS AREN'T GENERALLY NOTICEABLE ON THIS CAR. You won't get drips on your garage floor. It pools in the lower covers and then blows back and out when you drive. I had the same issue once. Dropping the covers and looking for oil is a good idea every once in a while.
 
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