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Help - Excessive Oil Consumption
My 2001 530i has about 130,000 miles on it. For the past 15,000 miles I have noticed what I consider to be excessive oil consumption. Every 500 miles the oil level light comes on and I have to add a quart of oil.
At this mileage, I might expect the problem to be worn valve guides but the car does not show any of the tell tale signs (ie no blue smoke on start-up or oil in the tail pipe). I have not done a compression or leak down test on the motor. Any suggestions?
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Tom Butler 1973 RSR Clone 1970 911E 914-6 GT Recreation in Process |
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12-19-2006, 06:53 PM
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That is excessive.
It's not dripping? Have you looked at you plugs? That much oil must leave some signs.
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HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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12-20-2006, 06:22 AM
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No signs of leakage and I have not looked at the plugs.
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Tom Butler 1973 RSR Clone 1970 911E 914-6 GT Recreation in Process |
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12-20-2006, 12:51 PM
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One item that supposedly increases oil consumption is the cyclone separator which is BMW's version of the PCV valve. To test if the valve is working pull the dip stick with the engine running. If the engine idle changes significantly or it dies then the valve is bad.
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HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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12-20-2006, 12:55 PM
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Jeron
Thanks I had heard something about that. I'll try it and let you know. Thanks Tom
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Tom Butler 1973 RSR Clone 1970 911E 914-6 GT Recreation in Process |
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12-20-2006, 12:58 PM
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Well I finally go around to doing the PCV/Cyclone test. There was a subtle change in idle speed.
Is the cyclone separator a replacement item? Can it be cleaned or repaired?
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Tom Butler 1973 RSR Clone 1970 911E 914-6 GT Recreation in Process |
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01-10-2007, 12:51 PM
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If the change was subtle it is probably good.
I read about someone who took the one on their 7 apart. I tried to open up the one on my M3 and I broke it, $70. You could try cleaning it with degrease and maybe follow that up with water, then gentle compressed air, let it sit a few hours in front of a fan then a bit more compressed air. Failure, other than being clogged, is the internal rubber diaphragm that eventually tears. The one on your 530 is probably the same as my 330 which is about $50. Like I said before, 1qt every 500 miles is a lot of oil. That wast a typo was it?
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HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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01-10-2007, 01:05 PM
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1997 BMW M3 3.2L I6
