Oil disappearing! Where's it going?

beyondweb · 02-08-2005, 08:06 AM

I've been searching thru the forum but haven't found the answers I'd hoped for. The oil in my 96 328is is vanishing and I don't know where it's going because it's not leaking onto the ground. I filled it up two times last night but it keeps going low. Any ideas where I could look?

I had an Inspection II service in December and as far as I know, the problem started around a week ago when the oil light flickered on. It stayed off for a week then flickered on about two or three times last night. It doesn't stay on but when it does flicker on, it's only when car isn't moving -- only idling.

It sounds like the valves are knocking because the oil is too low, but then it goes away, comes back, goes away, etc.

I know I need a new Power Steering Pump (but the issue that caused the problem was fixed when I did the Inspection II). Could it be related?

Thanks for reading,
Monica

chilli · 02-08-2005, 02:34 PM

If it is not on the ground or fillling up the radiator, it is going out the tailpipe. Blown headgasket ---- probably. Or worse something internal broken. Time for compression check, leak down. Pull the plugs and see if one or more is oil soaked.

Anything unusally happen when all this started??

mike

beyondweb · 10:48 AM

Update:

Actually i don't think any oil is leaking now. I just don't think they filled it up all the way when i had the service 2 done. I checked the pipe and nothing looks odd. The car runs perfectly.

Also...when the car is idling at a stop, everything seems fine now. Bit. when i crank the wheel ALL the way to the left or right, REALLY HARD, the oil light will flicker. My power steering pump is going out and making a lot of noise. Could this contribute?

02-08-2005, 09:20 PM

All you can do now is check your oil each morning and see if the leval is changing.

I thought from your note that your oil was full and then you had to add more each day.

The power steering is a different issue and has nothing to do with engine oil

mike

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

chily3 is correct.

Does the oil light flickering coincide with a rpm drop?

beyondweb · 02-11-2005, 12:37 PM

Update:

No rpm drop when the oil light flickers.

I'm pretty sure the oil level is stable now but I'll check again after work.

The coolant looks fine.

I'm going to do another oil change and replace the filter tonight.

I haven't had a chance to check the sensor or the head gasket but will hopefully tonight.

Thanks for everyone's help!

02-27-2005, 10:13 AM

What was the outcome of this mystery. Or is everything ok now???

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

Maybe OP will let us know for sure but I think he finally decided that the oil wasn't properly filled at the last service.

chilli · 02-28-2005, 07:32 AM

That was my opinion as well,
mike

beyondweb · 02-28-2005, 08:31 AM

Well, it's still a mystery. =oP

Re: the oil, it's remaining at a stable level. It would seem that it wasn't properly filled during the last oil change. I'm gonna keep an eye on it to be sure.

Took it into the shop to fix the oil pressure sensor light that kept flickering on and off. They replaced the oil pressure sensor and said that the light wasn't flickering anymore. But, within the first 30 minutes of me driving it, it flickered on! However, it hasn't flickered on since and it's been, what, at least over two weeks.

What we're thinking now is that it's something electrical. The flickering issue was occurring when it rained. The airbag light is coming on more often and the lower front headlights are out. This all occurred about the same time.

Can't afford to take it back into the shop at the moment. If anyone has any ideas, let me know! Know of a way I could confirm if it's an electrical issue?

Thanks,
Monica

blkongry · 02-28-2005, 02:42 PM

What you have is one of those nasty 'ghosts' in the electrical system... usually caused by a partial ground somewhere. They are a nightmare to find. I had an Acura Legend that had the 'tail light burnt out' indicator stuck on. It was on for 5 years and no shop I took it to could figure it out. It was the most bizarre thing.

The biggest problem with your system is that it is sporadic... how can you pinpoint things when they are only on for a while. Do you know your car's history? Any water damage at any time?