Oil capacity...

[mazur]

When I did the swap I didn't think that the oil capacity would differ between stock and E34 oil pan. So I just poured in 8 quarts like I normally did when I had the motor in my e36.

Well, looking at the dipstick, the level is above the plastic end piece. Just did a search and looks like I should have only put a tad over 6 qts.


I've been running it like this for a while now, but was wondering if there might be any ill effects from running too much. I'm sure it's robbing power even with windage tray in place.


Should I drain my perfectly good oil...maybe try to drain just a couple quarts?

[Tom944]

You should drain the oil untill it's on de max level. Running too much oil can put too much pressure on the bearing on de crankshaft ( don't know the english word sorry ) or/and on the pistonrings..

[PeaveyBassist]

7 quarts. and here is a trick. Get a shop vac, and put a paper towel around the opening. Then take the valve cover cap off, and stick the shop vac up to it. Try to get it as close to centered as possible. Turn the shop vac on and have somebody hold it there over the hole. Then you go take out the drain plug in the oil pan. No oil will come out until you take the shop vac away. Move the shop vac away from the hole and drain the oil into a pan. You can put the shop vac over the hole at any time to stop oil flow. When you think its a quart put the shop vac over the hole, and then reinstall the drain plug and check oil level. That way you wont lose so much brand new oil.

Will

[FredK]

I think 1qt overfill is around the max most people run.

I just filled my oil a few days ago and I used a touch less than 6 quarts. I also have the oil level sensor still plugged into the bottom of the pan.

[Adrian_Visser]

its really not a good idea to ever overfill your oil but this is epecially true if you plan on doing any hard driving. Like tom944 said its not good for your crank, or crank bearings, reason being that all that thick oil being sloshed up around in a hard corner is hit by the crank throws which are spinning, you know fast. There is the possiblity of severe damage, not to mention that you will get major oil foaming which could make your oil pump suck air (really bad) foaming also causes oil loss and oil in the intake from the pcv system which aint good either.

end rant

[FredK]

People that run on tracks usually overfill M/S5x engines by 1 quart.

[e30_kid89]

People that run on tracks usually overfill M/S5x engines by 1 quart.

QFT.....ive seen a handful of guys do this when track/auto-x-ing as well.

[So Live]

Really? ive never heard of over filling a motor. Whats the logic?

[FredK]

Overfilling, at least on E36s with M/S5x engines, seems to do a mediocre to acceptable level of reducing the amount of lifter tick experienced by people who regularly track or autox.

The key is not to overfill so that the crank touches the oil and causes a frothy mess, with the consequences that Adrian Visser outlined. The accepted overfill is between 1/2 to 1 qt, but may vary due to the difference in the E34 and E36 oil pans.

[So Live]

Nuts. Thanks for the tid bit.

[bmws50b30]

sorry for reviving this thread. i was searching about oil capacity because the last 2 autoX events i've done, the valve train would get noisy. this concerned me and thousght i did some major damage on the engine. i would add 1/2 qt and it would still continue to make the noise but less. after the event and when i get home th enoise is gone.

my question is, should i drain some of the oil everytime i add more? when i check the dip stick the level is right on the top line.

[gazellebeigem3]

If its right on the top line, its fine. It seems to be common knowledge on bf.c that our motors will burn about a quart in between oil changes. This may change in either direction, depending on what brand/ viscosity you are using. So to answer your question, if you are really worried about adding extra, just maintain it at the max fill line, I really wouldnt bother with draining it out and adding etc.

What oil are you using btw?

[bmws50b30]

If its right on the top line, its fine. It seems to be common knowledge on bf.c that our motors will burn about a quart in between oil changes. This may change in either direction, depending on what brand/ viscosity you are using. So to answer your question, if you are really worried about adding extra, just maintain it at the max fill line, I really wouldnt bother with draining it out and adding etc.

What oil are you using btw?

old man blunt suggested 15-50 mobil 1. car is not driven during winter. i'd like to add more oil to avoid the valves making noise when i autox

[mazur]

old man blunt suggested 15-50 mobil 1. car is not driven during winter. i'd like to add more oil to avoid the valves making noise when i autox

When I had an E36 M3 I always put in a quart extra and would never get lifter tick and would just leave it in there. It's been almost 40k miles and engine still runs strong (in my E30 now) with no oil consumption...even after a couple race weekends.

[Storm-trooper-army]

I put 5.5 quarts in my 318is and i don't think it affects it that much, however my friend said who lose a small bit of power because the engine has to move extra oil