Engine oil below min warning, but measures at "max"

iskuo · 09-11-2023, 09:26 AM

I get the "engine oil below min" warning maybe every third time I start up the car. I don't want to run it with low oil so I've added at least 3 quarts of oil in the past 500 or so miles. However when I measure the oil level it always says that I'm at the max and I don't want to add more for fear of overfilling it.

Any ideas?

JAI///M3 · 09-11-2023, 11:17 AM

Probably a bad level sending unit. Too much oil can destroy an engine as well as no oil. Best to get a proper diagnosis and repair asap

gerri · 09-12-2023, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iskuo

I've added at least 3 quarts of oil in the past 500 or so miles

You definitely have too much oil now. I advise you to do an oil change, remove everything that is there and put in the right amount (6.5L) and then see if you still get the message. There can't be 3 liters of oil missing so now there is too much and sooner or later it will throw it out of you somehow and it won't be pleasant.

iskuo · 09-23-2023, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I changed the oil level sensor, drained the oil and filled the right amount. I thought it was all fixed but the oil level warning came up again the other day. A measurement indicated max. What else could be the issue?

agentrnge · 09-23-2023, 06:38 PM

When you drained the old oil did you get a rough measure of how much you had in the engine? I like to see I am in within a 1/2 quart or so of expected when I'm dumping the old oil back into jugs for recycling. (and expecting ~1/2 quart or so to still be in the engine)

iskuo · 09-23-2023, 06:57 PM

I forgot to ask the shop to measure but they said it was a lot.

iskuo · 10-10-2023, 08:49 PM

FYI Turns out this is a known issue but there is a software update to fix it.

louielouie · 10-19-2023, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iskuo

FYI Turns out this is a known issue but there is a software update to fix it.

Where did you get the update? I'm having a similar issue where my cars reading 1/2 oil level when it's full...

iskuo · 10-19-2023, 06:45 AM

Great timing. The software update actually didn’t work. It’s still doing it. The car is back at my mechanic as of this morning. Will report back if I find anything.

papasmurf_m3 · 10-20-2023, 03:27 PM

Did you swap oil level sensors?

iskuo · 10-20-2023, 03:52 PM

Yes. That was the first thing I tried. Didn’t fix it

09-11-2023, 09:26 AM	#1
iskuo New Member 9 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Engine oil below min warning, but measures at "max" I get the "engine oil below min" warning maybe every third time I start up the car. I don't want to run it with low oil so I've added at least 3 quarts of oil in the past 500 or so miles. However when I measure the oil level it always says that I'm at the max and I don't want to add more for fear of overfilling it. Any ideas?
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09-11-2023, 11:17 AM	#2
JAI///M3 Lieutenant 528 Rep 502 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: East Bay iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 F80 [0.00]	Probably a bad level sending unit. Too much oil can destroy an engine as well as no oil. Best to get a proper diagnosis and repair asap
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09-23-2023, 05:16 PM	#4
iskuo New Member 9 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the suggestions. I changed the oil level sensor, drained the oil and filled the right amount. I thought it was all fixed but the oil level warning came up again the other day. A measurement indicated max. What else could be the issue?
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09-23-2023, 06:38 PM	#5
agentrnge Lieutenant 384 Rep 490 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 6MT, 2001 740iL Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Morris County, NJ iTrader: (0)	When you drained the old oil did you get a rough measure of how much you had in the engine? I like to see I am in within a 1/2 quart or so of expected when I'm dumping the old oil back into jugs for recycling. (and expecting ~1/2 quart or so to still be in the engine)
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09-23-2023, 06:57 PM	#6
iskuo New Member 9 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	I forgot to ask the shop to measure but they said it was a lot.
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10-10-2023, 08:49 PM	#7
iskuo New Member 9 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	FYI Turns out this is a known issue but there is a software update to fix it.
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10-19-2023, 06:45 AM	#9
iskuo New Member 9 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Great timing. The software update actually didn’t work. It’s still doing it. The car is back at my mechanic as of this morning. Will report back if I find anything.
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10-20-2023, 03:27 PM	#10
papasmurf_m3 Captain 455 Rep 844 Posts Drives: YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Did you swap oil level sensors? __________________ 60-130 mph 6.72 secs 1/2 mile trap speed 158 mph ecutek - bend calibration pro tune - flex fuel - mpe - stock turbos - oem+
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10-20-2023, 03:52 PM	#11
iskuo New Member 9 Rep 28 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Yes. That was the first thing I tried. Didn’t fix it
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