Oil consumption

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peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Oil consumption

Post by peter2b »

My zed has been on the road for 6 months now done just over 6000 miles so far but she has got through 1.5 lts of oil she has 110kmiles on the speedo is she using too much oil
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
Posts: 818

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Oil consumption

Post by lightning »

1.6 litres in 6,000 miles is nothing.

If it were using that much in 600 miles, that'd be a worry. But 6,000? It's fine. Check underneath for leaks though.
saturdaygig
Joined: Sat 29 Mar, 2014 18:50
Posts: 35

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: Oil consumption

Post by saturdaygig »

Mine uses about that as well and I think it's unusual. I change the oil on the Jag V6 every year and it doesn't need any top up in between.
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Oil consumption

Post by Del »

Perfectly healthy M54 engines are renowned for using a bit of engine oil
peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: Oil consumption

Post by peter2b »

Cheers for the feedback nice to know she's heathy
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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Oil consumption

Post by Del »

Haven't got a M54 engine myself but any internet search will point to many queries about oil consumption. I have also spoken to a retired BMW Master tech who remembers. It seems they used a lower friction piston ring and "suggested" a fairly fussy, old school "running in" procedure using mineral oil which, if adopted, would probably minimise future engine oil usage. Many did not observe this for one reason or another and so usage can a higher. Many owners use a slightly thicker oil such as 10W-40 which they say helps.
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Oil consumption

Post by Southernboy »

M54 motors are notorious for oil use. Mine does the same.
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T48 TRE
Joined: Mon 10 Nov, 2003 07:22
Posts: 359

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Coventry

Re: Oil consumption

Post by T48 TRE »

Hi I have the M54 engine in my car, which is a 2001. I found the oil consumption was very reasonable, I did not have to top up between services, But it is only now at 53 + thousand miles. I am not sure if I bought the wrong oil one time, but after 48,000 the oil consumption went up dramatically, half a litre in 6-800 miles. I then did an oil change myself, and bought 10/ 40 oil, to do it. The problem was solved.
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Tufarlian
Joined: Sat 14 Mar, 2009 20:21
Posts: 307

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Cheshire
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Re: Oil consumption

Post by Tufarlian »

As well as the usual M54 oil use there is a fairly well known oil leak problem from the oil filter gasket where the unit is bolted to the block, when the gasket ages and becomes brittle.

This can happen with no oil showing on the floor under the car as it only leaks when under pressure and the oil gets blown along the underside.

Item 6 in the diagram

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=11_6223
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Oil consumption

Post by bertiejaffa »

Tufarlian wrote:As well as the usual M54 oil use there is a fairly well known oil leak problem from the oil filter gasket where the unit is bolted to the block, when the gasket ages and becomes brittle.

This can happen with no oil showing on the floor under the car as it only leaks when under pressure and the oil gets blown along the underside.

Item 6 in the diagram

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=11_6223
Is this just on M54?
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Tufarlian
Joined: Sat 14 Mar, 2009 20:21
Posts: 307

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Cheshire
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Re: Oil consumption

Post by Tufarlian »

The designs are similar so I guess so but I've only actually seen it on an M54 and there are Youtube videos on how to change the gasket.
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