oil level lamp

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

oil level lamp

Post by peter2b »

over the last few days when I start my zed all tell tale lamps come on, engine starts on first turn of the key but without any unusal noises, after a couple of seconds the oil level tell tale lights up for another couple of seconds then goes out I've checked the oil level on the dip stick which is just below the full line, this doesn't happen every time about 1 in 3 starts could this just be a sticky level switch
peter2b
Z3Jeremy
Joined: Sun 23 Jun, 2013 08:40
Posts: 71

  Z3 roadster 1.9i

Re: oil level lamp

Post by Z3Jeremy »

Hi there Peter.. is it the orange/yellow oil light thats showing on your zed? mines doing the same thing occasionally so like your good self am interested to know the simple solution to this fault.

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

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: oil level lamp

Post by peter2b »

yes the same as yours yelloy/orange
peter2b
wonderloaf
Joined: Mon 02 Aug, 2010 20:55
Posts: 518

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Basingstoke

Re: oil level lamp

Post by wonderloaf »

I'm having same problem so would be interested to hear any suggestions. Could it be a dodgy oil level sensor?
2001 Titan Silver 2.2 Sport
NZ00Z3
Joined: Thu 23 Jun, 2016 01:26
Posts: 95

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: oil level lamp

Post by NZ00Z3 »

Hi. The light could be coming up for a variety of reasons.

1) Good oil pressure but you have a faulty oil sensor.

2) Poor oil pressure due to high oil flow somewhere in the engine. For non- M Z3's, there are two O Rings on the bottom of the oil filter cap basket/tube. These age and can let pressurised oil sneak back to the sump and not go around the engine. You know how when you unscrew the filter cap when changing the oil filter and the canister is full of oil, but is drains away somehow? Unscrewing the filter cap lifts these seals out of their homes and the oil drains back to the sump. Cheap fix to get the right spec O rings and change them.

3) Poor oil pressure due to high oil flow somewhere in the engine. Now for a scary one. The six cylinder engines (don't know about the 1.9L) have oil spray nozzles in the block that spray oil up into each cylinder from the bottom. These have a spring loaded ball in them so that they only spray oil when the pressure is at a set level. The springs have been known to fail allowing the nozzle to be always squirting oil and pulling the oil pressure down across the engine.

Hoping its cause 1 or 2.

Regards

Muzz
Z3Jeremy
Joined: Sun 23 Jun, 2013 08:40
Posts: 71

  Z3 roadster 1.9i

Re: oil level lamp

Post by Z3Jeremy »

Howdy Muzz thanks for info update..any clues as to where that oil sensor is located on the 4 pot engine so I can check the wire/plug etc,
All the best NZ, are you basking in a heatwave down there? Cheers Jez. its bloody freeezing here. (theres a small boat made of china going nowhere blah blah blah!)
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colb
Joined: Sat 05 May, 2012 22:46
Posts: 690

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Newport South Wales UK

Re: oil level lamp

Post by colb »

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=11_6198

Item 16 front underside of sump on 4 pot

Check the wiring connection to it and the cable for damage before replacing it, may be bad connection causing your light.
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
NZ00Z3
Joined: Thu 23 Jun, 2016 01:26
Posts: 95

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: oil level lamp

Post by NZ00Z3 »

Its located at the base of the oil filter housing, under the inlet manifold.

Yes summer is starting to kick in with sunny days in the mid 20's C. The shaky Islands are still living up to their name at the moment with regular after-shocks.
Z3Jeremy
Joined: Sun 23 Jun, 2013 08:40
Posts: 71

  Z3 roadster 1.9i

Re: oil level lamp

Post by Z3Jeremy »

Thanks NZ will take a look at the weekend.. yep thats gotta be a weird feeling the ground shaking I mean, all the best J
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colb
Joined: Sat 05 May, 2012 22:46
Posts: 690

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Newport South Wales UK

Re: oil level lamp

Post by colb »

Sounds like some confusion here regarding sensors/pressure switches
Oil level sender is in sump, oil pressure switch is as NZ00Z3 says under the inlet manifold on the 4 pot
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
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colb
Joined: Sat 05 May, 2012 22:46
Posts: 690

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Newport South Wales UK

Re: oil level lamp

Post by colb »

If you suspect oil pressure problem have a look at how I fitted an oil pressure guage to my 1.9
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37830
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
Brian4
Joined: Mon 19 Dec, 2011 19:02
Posts: 541

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Hinckley

Re: oil level lamp

Post by Brian4 »

When was the oil and filter last changed as the filter could be collapsing and not allowing full flow through it.
Brian
3.0I Topaz Blue


2000 E36/7 Z3 3.0i
2016 F31 335d
2015 F21 118i
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