Weird oil loss problem

[Lof8]

Heres the scenario: I bought my car about 3 weeks ago. The PO says it leaks some oil, but no more than half a quart every couple weeks. I drove the car 150 miles home and drove it around for 3 weeks with some spirited driving here and there. No oil loss whatsoever. No spots under the car and the dipstick has stayed at the same level.

Today, I'm getting ready to head home for thanksgiving. Check the fluids-all is good. I get about 100 miles down the road and my engine oil warning light comes on (level warning-not pressure). So I pull over at a gas station and let it cool down before checking the oil.

No oil on the dipstick! and there is a nice little drip coming from off the subframe. I'm thinking WTF! I go into the gas station and pick up a couple quarts of oil. I pour in the first one expecting it to fall right to the ground, but nothing happens. So I check the dipstick and barely a reading. So I poured in almost two more quarts and its over full.

Now I reluctantly get back on the highway hopeing not to blow my shit up. It runs like a champ for another 100 miles all the way home. I let the car cool and check the oil - and its at the exact same reading - over the full line.

What the hell is going on?

thanks, Andy

[Lof8]

oil level is still doing fine after this incident. Anyone experienced something like this?

[killa325i]

oil level sensor bad?

[Lof8]

No, it definately lost a bunch of oil in a short amount of time.

[Lof8]

Well, I made it back home, but had to stop midway and add a quart of oil. It seems to be a pretty healthy oil leak that only happens at highway speeds. Around town, theres no drips or oil loss.

I dunno??

[mmmjboner]

delete

[Lof8]

Seems to only leak after some time on the highway. No leaks at all while its sitting.

I have been under it to look but can't determine the source as oil is all over the place.

Any ideas on a leak that only happens with the car running (at highway speeds)?

[StereoInstaller1]

Oil pressure sending unit. Exact same thing happened to my '87 325is. Was like $9.00 at the stealer, with my discount.

Luke

[erik325i]

First, take your car to a self serve car wash, and wash your motor down to get rid of all the old oil/dirt that is coating your motor.

Next, since the motor is clean, find the source of the oil leak and fix the problem.

-Erik

[Lof8]

Oil pressure sending unit. Exact same thing happened to my '87 325is. Was like $9.00 at the stealer, with my discount.

Luke

This is the kind of helpful response I'm looking for.

[porsche gt1]

Oil pressure sending unit. Exact same thing happened to my '87 325is. Was like $9.00 at the stealer, with my discount.

Luke

that is what I was thinking.

[Lof8]

It definately seems to be coming from that area (passenger side front area)

I'll switch it out. Thanks for giving me some dirtection based on the symptoms.

Andy

[StereoInstaller1]

Yeah, and if I am right, you owe me a whore.

No fat ones!

Luke

[Lof8]

:D Its a deal. With my 4 doors, I've got lots of extra whores.