johndddd

HI;

I changed my oil on Saturday. I added 8 ˝ quarts. The low oil level light came on after about 100 miles. So I added ˝ quart more to the engine. On my way to work this morning about 20 miles into the trip the low level light came on again. So I pulled over into a parking lot added another Ľ quart. This now makes 9 Ľ quarts. Has anyone had this problem before? I should add that each time I let the computer check the oil level and it checks out OKAY. There are no oil spots on the floor of my garage or parking space at work. I’m a little concerned. Any input would be helpful.

tommy

Go into dyno mode (search for how to do that), and keep a log of what the actual oil amount as read is at defined intervals. I'd be very concerned - how'd you change your oil - topside or by taking off the drain plug? If you did the latter, then I'd check to see if it's loose or leaking. I've always done it topside, so I don't know - is there a crush washer? If so, did you replace it if you changed your oil by removing the drain plug?

johndddd

yes, I drained the oil, I just searched the part number for a new oil level sender about $50.00. Perhaps its going bad.

tommy

Well, if that's the case, you would have added too much oil. Have you at least been checking the level through the dipstick?

johndddd

No, C240 no dip stick and that is now my concern, On my way home tonight if the light comes on again then I'm going to order the part. If not then "if it's not broke then don't fix it"

tommy

But if it's the sender, then you are definitely wayyyyyy over on oil. Not a good situation, in either case.

I thought that all 02s had dipsticks (or at least the little tube that you could stick the MB "measuring tool" in to find out the level). Guess I'm wrong. I'd still suggest going into dyno mode every so often to see what the amt of oil is being read at.

johndddd

don't listen to me, I just purchased this used in March, so I'm still getting to know the car. I have been a BMW owner for 25+ years. I do believe that the computer will tell you if you have to much oil. I added 1/4 of a quart at a time for that reason. Only thing to do now I guess is to drive home and see if the light comes on again, in that case I will order the part, drain all the oil out and start over so I can get the correct amount. In the past with other cars If my memory serves me right the filter takes up 1 quart. So I will add only 7 1/2 quarts.

sanf

how about resetting the car by pulling the neg battery? but if it screws anything else up...please forget about this post. lol

johndddd

that's a thought that I may consider

mleskovar

You probably have an oil leak that's being caught by the bottom engine
cover. Have you looked at the oil level via the dyno mode yet? Too much oil can cause excess crankcase pressure and blow out your seals.

johndddd

not yet I'm at work I will check it after work. I have to do a search on dyno mode right now.

C230 Sport Coup

If everything was ok prior to the oil change, double check everything.
Sure you don't have a leak somewhere? Put the filter in correctly?
Invest in a dipstick pronto.

If you over full on oil you can blow up the engine, blow all the seals out.
9.5 quarts? Sheee-it. Thats way scary.
I wouldn't drive it till I knew what was going on.

johndddd

You know I must be the dumbest MF'er in America because I just went out to my car and tried to put it into dyno mode with no luck. Futhermore I cannot find dyno mode in the owners manual. I have a 02 C240.

tommy

Dyno mode is not in the OM. Search here for it.

MB doesn't want us to know too much about our cars, apparently.

amdeutsch

You won't find it in the manual. 02 cars are different. I know that the steps had been posted on here before. All I remember is the 03 steps which are different.

johndddd

I think I just found it could this be it?

1. To start, the key must be removed from the ignition.
2. Insert the key and turn to position 1.
3. Press the "Page Down" steering wheel button (lower Right button on the left side) to select any MFD display other than a trip odometer. (Don't do this and you will reset your trip odo).
4. Immediately press and HOLD the trip odometer reset button (left edge of instrument display) until the instrument cluster beeps. There is no visual message, only an audio beep. Turn down the audio system and be patient, this takes around 40 seconds. (Your trip odometer page may return in the MFD, but it will NOT reset to zero if you properly did step 3, so don't worry) After the beep...
5. Press the "Page Down" steering wheel button again.
6. The MFD will show the page x15jq has posted above, except the oil level values will be "dashes".
7. Turn key to position 2 and wait while system measures the oil.

You should turn the key off and remove it to reset the system before driving. But as I've noted, you can actually turn the key

mleskovar

Not exactly....try this one....it works on my '01. It looks like step 3 is different but maybe that's why my trip odometer always resets

1. Key removed from ignition and doors closed (I don't know why )
2. Insert key and turn to position 1
3. Press and hold trip odometer reset button until you hear a beep. No visual message, just a beep. Takes about 40 seconds.
4. Press lower menu button (looks like two sheets of paper, the one with writing in the background behind the blank one). Screen will change to one showing SW and HW versions etc.
5. Turn key to position 2 (wait for any messages to go away...like "Service A due now"........qts. of oil will be shown.

If you make a mistake or get out of sequence with the steps remove key and start over. Any luck now?

johndddd

Okay I copied it to Word doc. and I will go out to my car in a few hours and try it before I leave from work

johndddd

Well I was able to get into the dyno mode. I have 8.9 Quarts of oil. No leaks so I ordered a oil level sender. I let the car sit at home today until I get the part.

Also Has anyone had to replace this part? funny that it has failed after a oil change.

sanf

knowing there isnt a leak is a good thing. what does the oil level sender do?

ps-i hate mornings...

johndddd

this is the electrical unit or probe that sends the reading to your instrument panel. I have not had it in my hand however it is must be a small probe.

mleskovar

You actually have more....probably the 9.5 quarts you put in! Some is held in the oil filter/housing, and some is still in tubes/passageways. It takes a while for it to flow/drip down to the pan. This is one of the reasons I don't use the vacuum method. I tested the accuracy of my oil level guage and found that it takes 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to get the last 1/2 to 3/4 quarts to drip out. My guage show 8.2 quarts when 8.5 quarts are put in and you can watch the oil level go up over time (minutes) using the dyno mode after you stop the car. I would be surprised if they use a different sensor for the oil warning message so I bet if you replace the sensor/sender unit you still have the problem (although I hope not). I also think/guess the sensor is inside the block and not easy to repalce. I'm curious how this turns out.

johndddd

No, the drawing shows the probe in the bottom of the pan. you also need to have a new seal(O-ring) The parts department told me that is the correct part that sends the reading to the instrument panel.

I also used 5w30 oil, I am wondering if the software in the car senses the different weight. So this time I will use 0-40w. I had a Honda that the sensor was intelligent and knew if you had the wrong weight oil. I used 30 weight oil and the light came on. I drained the oil and used 40 weight and the light went off.

mleskovar

I've been thinking about this......there's no "low oil level" light. A message is supposed to come on that says "ENGINE OIL LEVEL - ADD 1.0/1.5/2.0 QUART". I went from 15-40 (that's what the dealer put in during my "free" service period) to 0-40 with no problem.

johndddd

Okay, the panel reads “low oil” it does not say add anything else; this is what is puzzling me.
The oil level is okay when I start the car and it comes on about 20 minutes of driving time. This leads be to believe that the oil is getting thinner due to heat so that probe may sence this.

I really do not think anything is wrong with the sensor, I believe that it is the thinner oil that is causing the problem. But I'm going to change anyway.