Oil light coming on Randomly?

Bounce · 12-08-2010, 09:49 PM

Welcome mate.Could it be the oil pump starving the engine of oil,if you have warranty i would get it to a dealer.Someone with better knowlege should be on here later,i wouldn't drive it anymore.

**outnumbered** · 12-08-2010, 09:51 PM

Even if you don't have warranty, get it to a dealer !

My previous non-CSL E46 M3 needed the oil pump replacing at about 50K miles. The symptom in my case was it started to take a long time for the red oil light to disappear after starting the car. They reckoned that the oil pressure was marginal even when the light had gone out.

**grumps** · 12-08-2010, 10:24 PM

When you say a long time for the oil light to go out how long!

The Gorilla · 12-08-2010, 10:26 PM

Hi,

Shepp80- I think the low oil pressure
warning light defaults at approx 0.8 Bar.

So at say 1.0 Bar oil pressure, ie
Red light out and amber light on,
pulling say 7000 rpm on 1g of lateral force,
on your Track Day, your engine
might last about 1 maybe 2 laps.

S54 Oil pumps are known to suffer from
several issues, the lock nut for the
oil pump sprocket works loose, and
the pump will loose pressure, or the
front pick up mesh get clogged and
does not feed the rear sump pan
quick enough and so on.

Take it do a dealer and have a oil pressure
test done, and if that's inconclusive
I would recommend your drop the
oil pan and check the pump etc.

I also note your another one who likes
to take the Airbox off to use the Dipstick.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

Dan · 12-08-2010, 10:45 PM

Funny you should post this up, our next door neighbours car does it, (BMW E46 325i Vert) he has an Orange oil light flash up when he drives it, it's done it for a year and never had a failure or problem of any sort whatsoever!

Our new BMW (also E46 325i Sport Vert) seems to have a tendancy to flash the oil light on every now and again as well, it was red the first time so I checked the oil and level was ok, put some in just as a matter of course, now it only comes on amber.... weird!

mattCSLnut · 13-08-2010, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Funny you should post this up, our next door neighbours car does it, (BMW E46 325i Vert) he has an Orange oil light flash up when he drives it, it's done it for a year and never had a failure or problem of any sort whatsoever!

Our new BMW (also E46 325i Sport Vert) seems to have a tendancy to flash the oil light on every now and again as well, it was red the first time so I checked the oil and level was ok, put some in just as a matter of course, now it only comes on amber.... weird!

Oil level sensors that are screwed onto the bottom of the sumps are a common E46 failure item

Both of my previous non M E46 2000 MY 328i Touring and the 2001 MY 320d Touring needed these replaced. Best done at an OIL & FILTER service intervals

Dan · 13-08-2010, 12:38 AM

Thanks Matt, the first thing I said was sensor when the light came on!

Trouble is next oil service isn't due for 11k+ miles! Might get a sensor and put the car up on the ramp one weekend.

12-08-2010, 09:51 PM	#2
outnumbered S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 731 Casino cash: $19587	Even if you don't have warranty, get it to a dealer ! My previous non-CSL E46 M3 needed the oil pump replacing at about 50K miles. The symptom in my case was it started to take a long time for the red oil light to disappear after starting the car. They reckoned that the oil pressure was marginal even when the light had gone out. __________________ Now with added SG CSL.

12-08-2010, 10:45 PM	#5
Dan Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2,058 Casino cash: $6689	Funny you should post this up, our next door neighbours car does it, (BMW E46 325i Vert) he has an Orange oil light flash up when he drives it, it's done it for a year and never had a failure or problem of any sort whatsoever! Our new BMW (also E46 325i Sport Vert) seems to have a tendancy to flash the oil light on every now and again as well, it was red the first time so I checked the oil and level was ok, put some in just as a matter of course, now it only comes on amber.... weird! __________________

13-08-2010, 12:38 AM	#7
Dan Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2,058 Casino cash: $6689	Thanks Matt, the first thing I said was sensor when the light came on! Trouble is next oil service isn't due for 11k+ miles! Might get a sensor and put the car up on the ramp one weekend. __________________

12-08-2010, 09:49 PM	#1
Bounce CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 7,057 Casino cash: $35793	Welcome mate.Could it be the oil pump starving the engine of oil,if you have warranty i would get it to a dealer.Someone with better knowlege should be on here later,i wouldn't drive it anymore.

12-08-2010, 10:24 PM	#3
grumps S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: devon Posts: 181 Casino cash: $632	When you say a long time for the oil light to go out how long!

12-08-2010, 10:26 PM	#4
The Gorilla S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 740 Casino cash: $14401	Hi, Shepp80- I think the low oil pressure warning light defaults at approx 0.8 Bar. So at say 1.0 Bar oil pressure, ie Red light out and amber light on, pulling say 7000 rpm on 1g of lateral force, on your Track Day, your engine might last about 1 maybe 2 laps. S54 Oil pumps are known to suffer from several issues, the lock nut for the oil pump sprocket works loose, and the pump will loose pressure, or the front pick up mesh get clogged and does not feed the rear sump pan quick enough and so on. Take it do a dealer and have a oil pressure test done, and if that's inconclusive I would recommend your drop the oil pan and check the pump etc. I also note your another one who likes to take the Airbox off to use the Dipstick. Regards, The Gorilla.