Burning oil?

[Broadsword]

I purchased a '13 35i last Oct. The car currently has about 7450 miles. I drive mostly stop and go city traffic. I am concerned with the oil levels being that low. What can possibly be the issue?

[Chio]

all modern cars burn oil with all the high pressure of the engines! it happens with Audi, bmw, ect! my mom has a 12 x5 and at about 8k needed a qt.

[Broadsword]

Originally Posted by Chio

all modern cars burn oil with all the high pressure of the engines! it happens with Audi, bmw, ect! my mom has a 12 x5 and at about 8k needed a qt.

I didn't have an issue with burning oil on my E90 335i that had PPK and PE.

[A B Able Truck]

This taken from BMW Operating Fluids Manual:
Oil Consumption
All engines normally consume a certain amount of oil. This is necessary in order to properly lubricate the cylinder walls, pistons, piston rings etc. In addition, engines with less than 6,000 miles will generally consume additional oil because the components are not fully seated. Therefore, oil consumption complaints received prior to 6,000 miles cannot be considered.
Once a new or rebuilt engine has accumulated 6,000 miles this procedure should be used if there is a drastic change in the oil consumption rate (i.e. the oil consumption rate triples) under similar driving conditions or if the oil consumption rate exceeds 1 qt. per 750 miles at any time. Refer to S.I. Bulletin B 11 05 84 (888).
All Motorsport Engines:
Due to their increased output and maximum engine speeds, these engines are allowed a maximum consumption of 2.5 quarts per 1,000 miles.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Broadsword

I purchased a '13 35i last Oct. The car currently has about 7450 miles. I drive mostly stop and go city traffic. I am concerned with the oil levels being that low. What can possibly be the issue?

Nothing to be concerned... my two previous BMW did the same and my current 2013 X5 that I got last year did the same as well.
If it gets too low just top it off with the specified oil. The more aggressive you drive the more oil you tend to burn.

[jonspeed]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Nothing to be concerned... my two previous BMW did the same and my current 2013 X5 that I got last year did the same as well.
If it gets too low just top it off with the specified oil. The more aggressive you drive the more oil you tend to burn.

I just purchased an 07 335i with 77000 miles. A couple of days into driving it I noticed the add oil indicator, so I added 1 quart which topped it off.
The next day I drove the car really hard - after just 1 day of driving it the add oil indicator is on again showing - Add 1 quart.
There is no indication of an oil leak. This seems to be excessive oil use. Anyone have some guidance on this?

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by jonspeed

I just purchased an 07 335i with 77000 miles. A couple of days into driving it I noticed the add oil indicator, so I added 1 quart which topped it off.
The next day I drove the car really hard - after just 1 day of driving it the add oil indicator is on again showing - Add 1 quart.
There is no indication of an oil leak. This seems to be excessive oil use. Anyone have some guidance on this?

In your situation, yes that does not seem right. I would being it to the dealer and have them check it out.

[chrisnyc]

Originally Posted by Kzang

In your situation, yes that does not seem right. I would being it to the dealer and have them check it out.

just got back from the dealership; I was told that TT engines [and just a single scroll turbo] are burning a lot of oil
the remedy is to add more oil 1.5 qt at the time
or if you are past warranty get a thicker oil - at least start with 10w30..

this is offcial bmw na statement that's adequate in NY/nj area..
bt check for leaks first lol
k.

[A B Able Truck]

Engine Oil Consumption
Technical Service SI B11 03 13
This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 05 84 dated March 1985.

MODEL: All

Information
All engines normally consume a certain amount of engine oil. This is necessary in order to properly lubricate the cylinder walls, pistons, piston rings, valves and turbocharger(s), if equipped. In addition, engines with less than 6,000 miles will generally consume additional engine oil because the internal engine components are not fully seated (break-in). Therefore, engine oil consumption complaints received prior to 6,000 miles cannot be considered.

Once a new or remanufactured engine has accumulated 6,000 miles, oil consumption can be considered if there is a drastic change in the engine oil consumption rate (e.g., the engine oil consumption rate triples) under similar driving conditions.

Engines equipped with a turbocharger(s) will consume more engine oil than normally aspirated engines (non-turbocharged). The additional oil that is consumed in a turbocharged engine is mainly due to the turbocharger lubrication requirements. Some of the engine oil normally migrates past the turbocharger turbine bearing seals and will enter the intake tract of the engine.

All turbocharged engines also require a complex crankcase ventilation system. The crankcase ventilation system needs to maintain a small vacuum on the crankcase and not allow the crankcase to be pressurized. Pressurizing the engine crankcase can lead to external engine oil leaks and increased engine oil consumption via the piston rings and valve seals. When the load and the boost level of a turbocharged engine is varied, the path of the crankcase pressure is changed. During the crankcase ventilation path transition, a small amount of engine oil will pass through the crankcase ventilation system and is additionally consumed. The additional engine oil consumption of a turbocharged engine, as compared to a normally aspirated engine, is normal and not a defect.

Oil Consumption specification:
- All BMW engines (excluding Motorsport) can consume up to 1 quart of engine oil per 750 miles at any time.
- Due to the increased engine power, all Motorsport engines can consume up to 2.5 quarts of engine oil per 1,000 miles at any time.

Diagnostic hints:
When an oil consumption complaint is received, it may be possible to correct it without performing extensive engine repairs. Check the following frequent causes of excessive oil consumption prior to undertaking any engine consumption analysis or repairs. Submit a PuMA case for assistance.

Proper Maintenance:
Has the vehicle received proper maintenance? Certain external conditions (mainly city driving style and/or high engine loads; poor fuel quality; and extreme ambient temperatures), combined with excessively long oil service intervals, may accelerate engine oil degradation, which may cause premature wear of the engine components. Continuous city driving (stop-and-go traffic); fuels with high olefin content; sulfur and certain aromatic fractions; and very high ambient temperatures are the most influential factors causing premature oil aging and consecutive engine mechanical deterioration.

External Leakage:
The engine should be leak-free before starting any engine oil consumption analysis.

Overfilling:
If the oil level is too high, oil in the crankcase will be thrown against the cylinder walls and consumed. Check the dipstick markings or electronic measurement (as equipped) to be sure of accuracy. The oil level must not be higher than the upper mark.

Engine Oil Viscosity/Quality:
The use of oil with the wrong viscosity rating for operating conditions can cause high oil consumption. Check the Owner's Manual to determine the proper viscosity for prevailing conditions.

Engine Speed and Load:
If vehicle operating conditions are severe, oil consumption will be higher than normal. Extreme load or continuous high engine speed will result in increased oil consumption.

Crankcase Ventilation:
The crankcase ventilation systems use various different crankcase ventilation valves, depending on the engine type. Although the valves all look different, they function similarly, using a spring and diaphragm assembly to control the crankcase pressure. A properly functioning pressure control valve is designed to maintain a slight vacuum (under-pressure) in the crankcase, which assures reliable crankcase venting during all engine operating conditions. One of the results of a malfunctioning crankcase ventilation system can be increased engine oil consumption. Refer to SI B11 03 08 for measuring specifications and procedures.
http://www.shipkiller.com/SI%20B%201...ept%202009.pdf

Turbocharged Engines:
Engines that are fitted with a turbocharger(s) will consume more engine oil than naturally aspirated engines (non-turbocharged engines). In this case, a turbocharged engine could require topping of engine oil more frequently. For vehicles with N63 and N63T engines, refer to SI B11 01 13 for additional details.

****This note was copied from a BMW Technical Training manual
Note: If the exhaust system produces blue smoke, it is necessary to check whether the engine is also drawing oil into the combustion chamber through the crankcase breather, which suggest that there is a fault in the area of the crankcase breather. A clear sign of a problem is an oiled up clean-air pipe.

Operating Fluids & Capacities 1/2013
http://f10.m5post.com/forums/attachm...3&d=1364773133

SI B11 07 12
SUBJECT:
N63 Engine: Oil Consumption and/or Rough Running Complaints
MODEL:
E70
E71
F01
F02
F04
F07
F10
F12
F13

Situation:
The vehicle may consume engine oil above the permissible specification, and may run rough at times. White or blue smoke may also be seen exiting the exhaust system.

Cause:
The construction material of the crankcase ventilation connection lines and vent pipes may become brittle from engine compartment temperatures.

Procedure:
E70 and E71 produced to 3/2011
F01, F02, F04, F07, F10, F12, F13 produced to 1/2011

1. Remove the engine cover and inspect the crankcase ventilation connecting lines.
Each of the connecting lines will have an index number printed on the connection
closest to the cylinder head cover.

2.Production code
Part Number and Index Number
Example : 7575639-07
The index number is separated from the 7-digit part number by a hyphen.

3. If the index number is "7" or lower, both crankcase ventilation connecting lines and vent pipes need to be replaced.
The improved replacement parts will have an index of "8" or higher.

4. Each cylinder head cover and vent pipe connection has two M6x18 screws attaching these components. The torque specification for these screws is 10 +/- 1.5 Nm.
Important: Do not replace the cylinder head covers for this complaint.

E70 and E71 produced from 3/2011
F01, F02 F04, F07, F10, F12, F13 produced from 1/2011
Inspect the crankcase ventilation connecting lines and vent pipes connections; if found loose, properly secure them.
Important: Do not replace the cylinder head covers for this complaint.


SI B11 01 13
Subject:
N63 and N63T Engine: Engine Oil Consumption, Engine Oil Top-ups and Refill Capacity
MODEL
F01
F02
F06
F07
F10
F12
F13
E70
E71
Customers with one of the vehicles above may complain that the engine's oil consumption is "too high," resulting in engine oil top-ups and workshop visits to address the issue before the vehicle displays an engine oil service as being "due." When the vehicle's engine oil drops to the minimum level, a message will display in the vehicle advising the driver to "add 1 quart of engine oil." After topping up and continued operation, the "add engine oil" message may display again before an engine oil service is required and performed.

Cause:
Engines that are fitted with a turbocharger, as part of their normal operation, will consume engine oil at a higher rate than a naturally aspirated engine (non-turbocharged engine). In this case, a "turbocharged" engine could require topping up of the engine oil more frequently.

Procedure:
Engine oil - Topping up
When one of the above vehicles displays a message to add 1 quart of engine oil, BMW recommends adding 2 quarts of engine oil instead. The engine's oil sump design allows the additional quart; the result is a total capacity of 9.5 quarts (9.0 liters) of engine oil.

Engine oil:
Maintenance services and engine repairs
When performing all future engine oil maintenance services and repairs that require draining and refilling the engine oil, the new recommended refill specification is 9.5 quarts (9.0liters) of engine oil.
-The current version of the oil capacities chart, in Group 11 of the Operating Fluids Manual in TIS, has been updated as of 3/2013.
-The current version of ISTA/D is not correct. The updated filling specification will be corrected in ISTA/D 2.38.

Important:
This Service Information bulletin excludes the E72 X6 xDrive50i Hybrid, ActiveHybrid 750i and ActiveHybrid 750Li vehicles, because the hybrid engine oil pan dimensions are smaller.