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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 211 of 275

#2092 of 2734 Re: 1998 528i [fenster] by andys120

Feb 08, 2008 (11:20 am)

Replying to: fenster (Feb 08, 2008 8:04 am)
The '98 you're looking at has just a few more miles than my 2000 528iA which is close to 104,000 miles. I've made the "deposits" and been rewarded with a car that is quite dependable and rarely out of service except for routine maintainence.
I expect to enjoy The Blue Max for many more miles.
 
You should consider a preemptive replacement of the original radiator and expansion tank as these are known issues on E39s. If it's an Automatic as most 528s are, don't rely on BMW's ludicrous Lifetime Lube scheme, have it flushed every 60K or so. If that hasn't been done on the one you're looking at, or isn't documented-- beware!
 
Shifty's advice about preventive maintenence is right on.

#2093 of 2734 excessive oil consumption by beolson

Feb 09, 2008 (10:19 am)

I have a 2001 530I with 98k miles. I had the oil changed in mid-December. Two weeks later, oil light came on; oil level was several quarts low. Oil droplets were on the rear end of the car (I did not notice early on because the rear end was covered with snow). Oil dripping from tailpipe. Mechanic was puzzled, replaced oil separator. No change. Help...

#2094 of 2734 Re: excessive oil consumption [beolson] by andys120

Feb 09, 2008 (11:30 am)

Replying to: beolson (Feb 09, 2008 10:19 am)
Any signs of oil pooling or dripping below the car when it's parked? Any smoke coming out on startup or while the motor's running? Any sign of oil leaking from the valve cover gasket?
 
I wonder what the hell an oil separator is.

#2095 of 2734 Re: excessive oil consumption [andys120] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 09, 2008 (11:57 am)

Replying to: andys120 (Feb 09, 2008 11:30 am)
IIt's just a fancy German PCV valve which, unlike the simpler, cheaper, primitive, $2 valves in American cars, actually manages to get stuck a lot. You can clean 'em however.
 
Excessive crankcase pressure from a stuck PCV will force oil anywhere it can get out, iincluding seals and piston rings.
 

#2096 of 2734 Re: excessive oil consumption [Mr_Shiftright] by beolson

Feb 10, 2008 (12:14 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 09, 2008 11:57 am)
The oil separator is an "expensive" PCV solution.
With its replacement, at least in the short term, the problem with my 530i is not solved. Possibly, the new, finer synthetic oil with the recent oil change? Or, earlier threads on this page suggest new valve stems/guides? Advice?

#2097 of 2734 Re: excessive oil consumption [beolson] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 10, 2008 (10:24 am)

Replying to: beolson (Feb 10, 2008 12:14 am)
Worn valve guides should have shown up on the cylinder leakdown test.
 
Do you get a puff of blue smoke when you first start the car in the morning?
 
Actually I think you need to start a very careful oil consumption test to see what's really going on here. This would require placing the car in a level spot overnight and in the morning marking the dip stick level, then driving 1,000 miles and rechecking at the same spot in the morning before starting the car and marking the new level.

#2098 of 2734 Re: excessive oil consumption [Mr_Shiftright] by beolson

Feb 10, 2008 (11:21 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 10, 2008 10:24 am)
Engine passed the cylinder leakdown test with flying colors. No puff of blue smoke when I start the car in the morning. No leaks from engine, although there is an acrid smell from the engine area when I turn it off. Twice last weekend, I took it up to legal speed (75 mph) on the Interstate in 3rd gear for a couple of miles (4500-5000 rpm). Started to smoke then, especially when I took my foot off the pedal on the off-ramp. Regarding consumption, it used more than 2 quarts in 500 miles before the oil separator was replaced. Appears to be on the same trend now as before (oil droplets appearing again on rear of car).

#2099 of 2734 Re: excessive oil consumption [beolson] by shipo

Feb 10, 2008 (11:49 am)

Replying to: beolson (Feb 10, 2008 11:21 am)
If you're getting smoke when you're using engine braking, it is almost assuredly valve guides. FWIW, I have seen isolated cases where an engine will do will on a leak-down test and still have worn guides.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#2100 of 2734 Re: excessive oil consumption [beolson] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 10, 2008 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: beolson (Feb 10, 2008 11:21 am)
Yep, that's valve guide wear all right or bad valve stem seals (which might have sneaked by the testing).

#2101 of 2734 Re: excessive oil consumption [Mr_Shiftright] by beolson

Feb 10, 2008 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 10, 2008 2:28 pm)
I greatly appreciate the feedback from you and Mr. Shipo. I will take this information to my import mechanic (closest BMW dealer is 400 miles away).
One last question, this excessive oil consumption began to occur immediately after I had the oil changed in December. Coincidence? From item number 434 on this page, "The main reason that you wouldn't want to switch is that the engine seals will have shrunk on a higher mileage car and synthetic can leak because it's much finer." Not sure if they used a different brand or weight range?
Again thanks for the feedback.

Messages Page 211 of 275

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