Oil cooler line leaked unknown amount of oil, how to top off after repair?

MadDog89 · 10-05-2021, 02:56 PM

Was on the highway when it happened, oil cooler line busted and sprayed oil everywhere. I took the highway off and had the car towed home. Before towing add 1 quart indicator came on, but how much did I actually lose? Do I just add 1 quart, run the car and add more if it tells me? Or does our indicator show add 2 quarts? Really don't want to drain and refill again.

bluewater328 · 10-05-2021, 03:39 PM

I mean, you're sorta answering your own question. We have no idea what the murder scene looks like so we couldn't even guestimate with you.

Do it right:
Drain and replace to be sure.

Or add 1L and take it for an easy 15 min spin to let the oil warm up and see what it says. Stop or add another if it tells you. Pretty sure it would be red if it really felt there was an oil shortage, which would lead to other issues.

But again, you already know the answers.

MadDog89 · 10-05-2021, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewater328

I mean, you're sorta answering your own question. We have no idea what the murder scene looks like so we couldn't even guestimate with you.

Do it right:
Drain and replace to be sure.

Or add 1L and take it for an easy 15 min spin to let the oil warm up and see what it says. Stop or add another if it tells you. Pretty sure it would be red if it really felt there was an oil shortage, which would lead to other issues.

But again, you already know the answers.

Didn't even know indicator turns red, good to know. It was yellow just telling me to add 1 quart. The murder scene was real, I smelled burning oil and pulled off the highway immediately. I did notice some knocking/rattle like sound while at the light but then it went away. Hope I didn't damage anything.

gster109 · 10-05-2021, 07:48 PM

how many Miles? what point of the oil cooler failed?

charlie_m · 10-06-2021, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Do it right:
Drain and replace to be sure.

This for sure! Warmed up oil, highway RPM .... doesn't take long to lose a *lot* of oil. Unlike the old HEUI diesels (that would stop running if an oil line blew, since the injectors used oil to fire), these motors will happily keep running with insufficient oil to the important bits.

R3dLeader · 10-06-2021, 02:16 PM

Honestly, why risk anything at this point? Your engine already suffered some trauma from the burst line. Just drain and re-fill with 7L for peace of mind. You don't even need to change the filter.

JonOhh · 10-06-2021, 03:53 PM

And maybe use the opportunity to take an oil sample to get analyzed so you can prepare in case a new engine is in your near future...

MadDog89 · 10-07-2021, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gster109

how many Miles? what point of the oil cooler failed?

It was the return line from the cooler to oil thermostat, soon as I noticed I pulled off the highway so I'd say maybe .25 mile before engine was shut off.

MadDog89 · 10-07-2021, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonOhh

And maybe use the opportunity to take an oil sample to get analyzed so you can prepare in case a new engine is in your near future...

I just did one, results came back normal. I just recently replaced my turbos and put in fresh 7L of oil, really didn't want to do that again. But I guess $100 of oil is cheaper than engine replacement.

jdstrickland · 10-07-2021, 07:15 PM

If the Oil Level indicator is telling you that you need a quart, then you need a quart. If you don't think this will do the trick then you have to drain all of the oil then refill with fresh.

JonOhh · 10-07-2021, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadDog89

I just did one, results came back normal. I just recently replaced my turbos and put in fresh 7L of oil, really didn't want to do that again. But I guess $100 of oil is cheaper than engine replacement.

Ahh I see. I mean more of checking the current oil after the cooler line failure to make sure the reduced oil pressure didn't cause any long term damage.

MadDog89 · 10-08-2021, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

If the Oil Level indicator is telling you that you need a quart, then you need a quart. If you don't think this will do the trick then you have to drain all of the oil then refill with fresh.

I added 3 quarts and its still asking for more

guess its a drain and refill again. I swear I cant drive this car for more than a few hundred miles before having to drain and refill the oil. I hate the stupid electronic oil indicator, just give me a damn dipstick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonOhh

Ahh I see. I mean more of checking the current oil after the cooler line failure to make sure the reduced oil pressure didn't cause any long term damage.

Ohh got you, still have a container from black stone. I guess I can send a sample in to see if anything changed since the last UOA.

10-05-2021, 02:56 PM	#1
MadDog89 Second Lieutenant 52 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E92 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Oil cooler line leaked unknown amount of oil, how to top off after repair? Was on the highway when it happened, oil cooler line busted and sprayed oil everywhere. I took the highway off and had the car towed home. Before towing add 1 quart indicator came on, but how much did I actually lose? Do I just add 1 quart, run the car and add more if it tells me? Or does our indicator show add 2 quarts? Really don't want to drain and refill again. __________________ 2007 335i 17T EBAY Turbos, FBO, Stage 2 LPFP, Index 12 Injectors, 2 Step Colder Plugs, OEM Coils
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10-05-2021, 03:39 PM	#2
bluewater328 Colonel 627 Rep 2,099 Posts Drives: 2011 bluewater 328i LCI sedan Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (0)	I mean, you're sorta answering your own question. We have no idea what the murder scene looks like so we couldn't even guestimate with you. Do it right: Drain and replace to be sure. Or add 1L and take it for an easy 15 min spin to let the oil warm up and see what it says. Stop or add another if it tells you. Pretty sure it would be red if it really felt there was an oil shortage, which would lead to other issues. But again, you already know the answers.
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10-05-2021, 07:48 PM	#4
gster109 First Lieutenant 63 Rep 297 Posts Drives: 2007 335i e90 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	how many Miles? what point of the oil cooler failed?
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10-06-2021, 02:16 PM	#6
R3dLeader Second Lieutenant 154 Rep 215 Posts Drives: e92 and e93 335i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	Honestly, why risk anything at this point? Your engine already suffered some trauma from the burst line. Just drain and re-fill with 7L for peace of mind. You don't even need to change the filter. Last edited by R3dLeader; 10-06-2021 at 04:15 PM..
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10-06-2021, 03:53 PM	#7
JonOhh Captain 672 Rep 733 Posts Drives: 06' 330i Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 BMW M3 [10.00] 2013 Fiat 500c Abarth [0.00] 1985 Fiat/Bertone X1/9 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	And maybe use the opportunity to take an oil sample to get analyzed so you can prepare in case a new engine is in your near future...
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10-07-2021, 07:15 PM	#10
jdstrickland Enlisted Member 11 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2008 328 E93 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Murrieta, CA iTrader: (0)	If the Oil Level indicator is telling you that you need a quart, then you need a quart. If you don't think this will do the trick then you have to drain all of the oil then refill with fresh.
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