Oil level sensor failure?

[Asiah119]

I just returned from an 800mi round trip this weekend and noticed the sticky lifter clicking as I was nearing home on some windy mountain roads. I decided to check my dipstick before I left for work this morning and found it bone dry. Insert me freaking out a bit. I put a quart in. Still bone dry. I'm going to change the oil today and I guess look for glitter. Are there any diagnostic steps for me to take than just pulling the oil level sensor and replacing it?

[az3579]

I just returned from an 800mi round trip this weekend and noticed the sticky lifter clicking as I was nearing home on some windy mountain roads. I decided to check my dipstick before I left for work this morning and found it bone dry. Insert me freaking out a bit. I put a quart in. Still bone dry. I'm going to change the oil today and I guess look for glitter. Are there any diagnostic steps for me to take than just pulling the oil level sensor and replacing it?


If it's bone dry and you don't have a permanent light on, then the sensor is bad, no other diagnostic needed. Usually you'll get a stored code for it in addition to it just not working.

[Asiah119]

I just checked for faults with torque and it didn't pop any codes up.

...Just as I was thinking that the oil consumption was really low...

[az3579]

I just checked for faults with torque and it didn't pop any codes up.

...Just as I was thinking that the oil consumption was really low...

I don't think generic scanners will pick up a fault like this. I'm talking specifically about BMW software such as PA Soft, INPA, DIS, ISTA, etc.

[Asiah119]

I have pa soft, but I really have no idea of where my wife has stashed my laptop.
I may have laughed at the guy at the BMW parts counter when he told me that the Oil level sensor was over $200.

[az3579]

I have pa soft, but I really have no idea of where my wife has stashed my laptop.
I may have laughed at the guy at the BMW parts counter when he told me that the Oil level sensor was over $200.

Well, he is right... the OE part costs right around that much from a standard dealer.

The best online dealer price anywhere right now is at Husker, for $148.
http://huskerparts.com/2011-bmw-335d-base-diesel_3.0_l_6-transmission_automatic_trans_speeds-engine-sensors-oil_levelling_sensor121060_12617508003-item/

Or, you could buy aftermarket for less than $100...

[Asiah119]

I went with the Hella from Turner. Pelican has the Genuine BMW for $106, but Turner is close enough to me that its like 2day shipping for the regular rate.

[Asiah119]

Now I get to start figuring out how I burnt up that much oil.

[slater]

Now I get to start figuring out how I burnt up that much oil.

how's your CCV?

peter

[Asiah119]

how's your CCV?
Thats what I'm going to investigate first. As far as I know its original.
Really hoping that there's not a compression issues.

[slater]

Thats what I'm going to investigate first. As far as I know its original.
Really hoping that there's not a compression issues.

mine was 'using' oil as well. i bypassed my CCV with a catch can (with filter) and PCV valve last december. i use almost zero oil now.

peter

[Asiah119]

Vacuum on the oil fill so I guess it looks like something in the CCV failed.