[TMP]

Is this normal for a 330d?

At 4000 miles car needed 1 ltr oil top up...
7000 miles another .5ltr top up...
and now at 12k it needs another 1ltr

Oil service not due for 9k miles...

Cheers.

[grey man]

My 335d has just had its oil service (2 years and 17500 miles), so early in miles terms (had almost 3000 miles before needed on mileage), but had to go in at 2 years old for brake fluid change so I got the oil done at the same time.

I have added no oil and it was still almost to top mark on dipstick. I've had it since 7000 miles, so certainly in 10000 miles I've owned it it has used none.

[beemerbird]

Tim, not much help but never had to top the oil up in my 335d. That said, I know others who have had to top the oil up but whether this was within 'accepted tolerances of use', I don't honestly know.

Just a thought, but my manual for the Porka states what is permissable use of oil per 1000 kilometres, and I have had to top it up but it's well within the tolerances stated. Does the BMW handbook give any ideas?

[willhollin]

Sounds like the engine has not been run in properly.

[TMP]

Hi Helen - good idea, will take a look at the manual.

Will - pls expand on that statement

[willhollin]

Probably an old wife's tale, but engines that have been driven 'softly' from new tend to consume more oil. If the piston rings have not bedded in properly from exercising the engines full rev range then they can pass oil. But as I said, probably an old wife's tail.

When do you check your oil leve? At cold? Straight after stopping?

[JLR1969]

Done 11,500 miles and OBC says its still OK, never added any oil.

Probably just one of those things.

[TMP]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Tim, not much help but never had to top the oil up in my 335d. That said, I know others who have had to top the oil up but whether this was within 'accepted tolerances of use', I don't honestly know.

Just a thought, but my manual for the Porka states what is permissable use of oil per 1000 kilometres, and I have had to top it up but it's well within the tolerances stated. Does the BMW handbook give any ideas?

“Engine Oil Consumption varies depending on driving syle and operating conditions”

Very helpful

Originally Posted by willhollin

Probably an old wife's tale, but engines that have been driven 'softly' from new tend to consume more oil. If the piston rings have not bedded in properly from exercising the engines full rev range then they can pass oil. But as I said, probably an old wife's tail.

When do you check your oil leve? At cold? Straight after stopping?

Hopefully just an old wives tale yeah...

Check is as per manual i.e. after driving and car is up to temp, leave for 5 mins then check..

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Done 11,500 miles and OBC says its still OK, never added any oil.

Probably just one of those things.

Missus' 520d hasnt needed a drop either!

Wonder how helpfull the dealer will be...proably quote the user manual back at me

[Steve748]

Mine has done nearly 15k and no oil added, service due in about another 1500 to 2k miles

[edowen]

not a drop required here on my 320d in 8.7k.

[Jude1]

Have you check to see if it's leaking anywhere?

[NFS]

Originally Posted by TMP

Is this normal for a 330d?

At 4000 miles car needed 1 ltr oil top up...
7000 miles another .5ltr top up...
and now at 12k it needs another 1ltr

Oil service not due for 9k miles...

Cheers.

Probably a little more than the norm, but not to much to worry about in my opinion.

My car used no oil at all in the first 9000 miles. It then needed a litre at around 12,000 and 15,000 miles.

Since then it's been very steady only ever requiring a top up shortly before a service.

[F104]

If this is an E90 i would spend the time and look at the airfilter. Most of our cars have closed crank ventilation. If the airfilter is pretty blocked (not too difficult on that air filter lay-out), then you have a low pressure area between filter and turbo inlet which will increase blow by and thus suck the oil out of the engine.
See oil catch cans on the US forum too.

[TMP]

Originally Posted by Jude1

Have you check to see if it's leaking anywhere?

No obvious oil in engine comp and none on drive

Originally Posted by NFS

Probably a little more than the norm, but not to much to worry about in my opinion.

My car used no oil at all in the first 9000 miles. It then needed a litre at around 12,000 and 15,000 miles.

Since then it's been very steady only ever requiring a top up shortly before a service.

Hmm, I hope you are right and it does get better as it gets to 20K....

Originally Posted by F104

If this is an E90 i would spend the time and look at the airfilter. Most of our cars have closed crank ventilation. If the airfilter is pretty blocked (not too difficult on that air filter lay-out), then you have a low pressure area between filter and turbo inlet which will increase blow by and thus suck the oil out of the engine.
See oil catch cans on the US forum too.

the 330d air filter is a different design to the 320d though, is the problem you mention specific all BM diesels? It's also an absolute sod to get at on the 330d

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Probably an old wife's tale, but engines that have been driven 'softly' from new tend to consume more oil. If the piston rings have not bedded in properly from exercising the engines full rev range then they can pass oil. But as I said, probably an old wife's tail.

When do you check your oil leve? At cold? Straight after stopping?

This is true.

A gentle running in can lead to a glazing of the Bores which in turn lets oil slip By to Be Burnt.

The engine will Be fine and last just as long.

[beemerbird]

Tim are you any further on with gathering info. on this?

You don't know any decent engineers do you to maybe obtain an 'accurate' answer as opposed to one that may not be 'wholly' accurate from the dealer.

Sometimes a compression test can give some clues.

[dxb335d]

Helen, i douBt a compression test will show up anything on this engine. It will Be within tolerances.

I too myself once ran an engine in like a granny and that too used so much oil it was unreal.

[beemerbird]

Just a thought, wasn't sure whether he may be getting a slight seepage via the bores (sounds nasty doesn't it lol).

[dxb335d]

Yeah it will Be through the Bores But the compression test will Be fine, its a 10k motor..If it had any proper Blow-By or one cylinder down on compression compared to others the cars performance would Be suffering and it would Be using mich more oil than tim states.

[TMP]

Hi Helen,

No closer apart from views in this thread (altough no 330d owners ).

Unfort I dont know any BM engineers who can give me a fact based view rather than the generic stealer (and I will put money on this) "Sounds within tolerance Sir"

And yeah, seapage within the Bores does sound nasty!

So Carlos - if it is this, you reckon it will continue to burn oil?

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by TMP

Hi Helen,

No closer apart from views in this thread (altough no 330d owners ).

Unfort I dont know any BM engineers who can give me a fact based view rather than the generic stealer (and I will put money on this) "Sounds within tolerance Sir"

And yeah, seapage within the Bores does sound nasty!

So Carlos - if it is this, Hi Helen,

No closer apart from views in this thread (altough no 330d owners ).

Unfort I dont know any BM engineers who can give me a fact based view rather than the generic stealer (and I will put money on this) "Sounds within tolerance Sir"

And yeah, seapage within the Bores does sound nasty!

So Carlos - so if it is this, you reckon it will continue to burn oil?

Yes id say it will.

But keep an eye on it, it could get Better with a few more miles. But i would expect it will continue as it is still using alot with 12k on her.

[F104]

No, i meant E46 320d of which i had two which is about the same air filter layout as what you have today. Like you said, a sod, and one bad placed tree leave at the filter inlet nearly blocks it all. The guy who designed this ought to be fired. That's why i said on another thread regarding the E90 330d it might not be a bad idea to replace the BMW one with another after market filter, AND add a second, primary filter, as cold air intake. The primary one would be easy to clean, the secondary should stay dead clean, but limits any risks on leaks somewhere. The total restriction might be well below the average restriction of the original filter. The E92 320d I have now is one major improvement in this respect!

On a general view though, yes any increased air filter restriction will increase oil consumption with closed crank ventilation unless you change the plumbing. Just physics.. 10 years ago these all vented to atmosphere, now they're connected to a vacuum cleaner (= your turbo). The more vacuum, the more oil mist they suck out of the engine.

regards,

Originally Posted by TMP

the 330d air filter is a different design to the 320d though, is the problem you mention specific all BM diesels? It's also an absolute sod to get at on the 330d