[mynameisnick4]

Can the oil level sensor on the N55 in the M2 detect overfills? I am getting mixed information on whether the sensor can notify you of an overfill. I've search a ton online and found that oil level sensor on other BMWs/engines does notify of a overfill but nothing specific on the N55.

The manual talks about a notification of low oil but nothing about too much. Anyone know the answer to this for sure?

[Zeese]

Originally Posted by mynameisnick4

Can the oil level sensor on the N55 in the M2 detect overfills? I am getting mixed information on whether the sensor can notify you of an overfill. I've search a ton online and found that oil level sensor on other BMWs/engines does notify of a overfill but nothing specific on the N55.

The manual talks about a notification of low oil but nothing about too much. Anyone know the answer to this for sure?

Interesting question.

Looks like a no, the "the sensor does not identify overfilling".

[mynameisnick4]

Originally Posted by Zeese

Interesting question.

Looks like a no, the "the sensor does not identify overfilling".

The sensor in the M2 isn't the same as the one in the B48/B46. Our is 12617638342 while the B48/B46 is 12618638754. Whether or not there is a difference in functionality, who knows. It seems the general consensus is that newer BMWs cannot detect overfills but there is still mixed info out there.

[nioh_lbbm2]

i can't find anything in TIS docs that says whether or not it alerts of an overfill

[Zeese]

Originally Posted by mynameisnick4

The sensor in the M2 isn't the same as the one in the B48/B46. Our is 12617638342 while the B48/B46 is 12618638754. Whether or not there is a difference in functionality, who knows. It seems the general consensus is that newer BMWs cannot detect overfills but there is still mixed info out there.

Right.

For what it is worth, using RealOEM and my OG M2 as a starting point, part # 12617638342 has been superceded by (nonexchangeable retrospectively ) part # 12618638754. For me, the sensor is (was): p/n 12618638754 .

I cannot imagine the electronics in the car are such that the new p/n can manage a signal that the car can interpret differently than that of the old sensor.

How does Porsche manage an overfill warning? Two sensors?

[mynameisnick4]

Originally Posted by Zeese

Right.

For what it is worth, using RealOEM and my OG M2 as a starting point, part # 12617638342 has been superceded by (nonexchangeable retrospectively ) part # 12618638754. For me, the sensor is (was): p/n 12618638754 .

I cannot imagine the electronics in the car are such that the new p/n can manage a signal that the car can interpret differently than that of the old sensor.

How does Porsche manage an overfill warning? Two sensors?

What doesn't make sense to me is that there is plenty of pictures and stories online of BMWs (I guess all older, early 2000s) showing overfill alerts. Why they would remove something like that out of newer models makes no sense, but then again car manufactures do plenty nonsensical things.

[JMM]

This is not a directly related comment to the OP's question but I have discovered a way to measure the correct oil level.
Knowing that this electronic oil leveling raises many questions, I asked to put in 6L instead of the prescribed 6.5L at my oil change to verify the accuracy of the measurement.

After the oil change I did a drive and warmed up the engine well and then did a measurement, result was that it indicated that the oil level is up to the max.
To me that was a wrong measurement because there is 0.5L less oil in it.
Then I let the car cool down for a couple of hours and did another measurement and this time it gave a bit more than a quarter under the max, so correct.

Conclusion: Directly measuring after a ride with warmed up engine (As indicated by BMW) gives you a wrong oil level value but with the engine cooled down a few hours after a ride will give you the right oil level value.

I did the second measurement twice, after two hours and after four hours cooling down and both indicated the same, about a quarter under the max.

Measuring procedure is the same as BMW indicates, only you have to wait 2 to 3 minutes before the I-drive allows you to start measuring.
By the way, when the engine is cold, it does not want to take a measurement.

I hope this info wil contribute to better understand this measurement system, it is reassuring for me in any case.

[JMM]

I personally dislike BMW more than the measuring system, even though it is cumbersome and time-consuming.

It's actually incomprehensible that BMW prescribes such a vague measuring procedure. With this prescribed procedure, you are over the limit without realising it.

In my case, it would have been a little less than a quarter of a litre above the max if I had put in the prescribed 6.5L. Not a disaster, but not necessary at all.

If you ask me, this is a fundamental blunder on BMW's part, or... a devious way of forcing you to go to the dealer.

[///M TOWN]

M2 holds 6.9L of oil

I put in slightly less and add if needed once the car gives a correct reading

[vrooooom]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

M2 holds 6.9L of oil

I put in slightly less and add if needed once the car gives a correct reading

As in capacity? But upon draining, what's the recommended refill volume as some oil is left behind in the nooks and crannies?

And yeah i agree w/ this ridiculous way of measuring oil. Something so simple, they've turned into something complex.

[cecaa850]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

Something so simple, they've turned into something complex.

They're German aren't they?

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

As in capacity? But upon draining, what's the recommended refill volume as some oil is left behind in the nooks and crannies?

And yeah i agree w/ this ridiculous way of measuring oil. Something so simple, they've turned into something complex.

M2 holds 6.9L of oil

I put in slightly less and add if needed once the car gives a correct reading

That being said, the car has never asked for additional oil to be added

So 6.9L is a correct answer

[JMM]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

M2 holds 6.9L of oil

I put in slightly less and add if needed once the car gives a correct reading

That being said, the car has never asked for additional oil to be added

So 6.9L is a correct answer

BMW indicates 6.5L so how can 6.9L be a correct answer?

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by JMM

BMW indicates 6.5L so how can 6.9L be a correct answer?

Sorry for a lack of clarity

6.9L (with filter)

And if you run less that's fine as well

The computer excepts a range of variation

[vrooooom]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

Sorry for a lack of clarity

6.9L (with filter)

And if you run less that's fine as well

The computer excepts a range of variation

Ah therein lies the problem. For a bunch of OCD here, that's not going to work.

I think we just need to know how much oil is going to go into the engine opening. The oil filter is not the canister type that will usually take some oil but even those are only about 300ml (but doesn't apply here).

Myb your "slightly less" is about 6.5L.

[VisualEcho]

1. It should be able to detect overfills, and I'm a bit miffed it doesn't.
2. I've never seen a dealer take more care with an oil change than I do, so that's no excuse for no overfill indicator.
3. It sounds like 6.9L is the max, and if upon draining you're not getting all 6.5 out, adding exactly 6.5 in would be ok.
4. It would be NICE to know the tolerance range like you'd see on the dipstick. Like 6L is fine, and so is 6.5L.
5. The N55 doesn't use oil to my knowledge, so drain, and fill with 6.5L is probably what BMW does.

[McGary911]

You could always weigh your oil catch container before and after you empty the car and see how much oil by weight you took out. Then you can pour your oil into a container while it's sitting on a scale and ensure you're putting in exactly as much as you took out. This is assuming that the oil level was good at the start.

I have to change my oil this weekend and may try that.

[JMM]

Has anyone already tried my measuring procedure instead of making assumptions that lead nowhere?
Try it out and see what the results are and then share the experience to get a better understanding of this measurement system.

It's worth a try, isn't it?

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by mynameisnick4

Can the oil level sensor on the N55 in the M2 detect overfills?

I guess I'm real late to this debate but to answer your question, if the oil level is overfilled, the iDrive oil status will indicate a [COLOR="DarkOrange"]yellow[/COLOR] oil light display to indicate an oil level incident fault.



[COLOR="DarkRed"]Red light[/COLOR]: Low oil pressure.

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Yellow light[/COLOR] on after engine shutdown: Oil less than 1 quart or more low.

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Yellow light[/COLOR] on for 15 seconds after engine start and driving: Oil level sensor fault or under/overfilled oil level. Interrogate the vehicle's computer for more details on the specific oil level status (high or low).


.

[Zeese]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I guess I'm real late to this debate but to answer your question, if the oil level is overfilled, the iDrive oil status will indicate a yellow oil light display to indicate an oil level incident fault.%snip%

Good knowledge!

Hope you didn't overfill your own BMW with oil to get those cool pics ;-)

Thanks for posting.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Zeese

Good knowledge!

Hope you didn't overfill your own BMW with oil to get those cool pics ;-)

Thanks for posting.

Thanx!

Unfortunately, back in 2008, filling oil without a dipstick to measure its capacity was a new concept to me on a BMW (coming directly from an Acura) and so I accidentally overfilled my 135i engine with over a quart of oil and then almost immediately encountered the aforementioned "yellow" idrive notification indicating such an event.

It was a leased vehicle and I corrected the overfill within a day, since the iDrive display clearly stated the specific issue, which was very helpful, so no love loss but a very important lesson learned.

[vrooooom]

Just did my oil for the first time this weekend. Initially put only 6.3L to see where the indicator would show it as. It showed at MAX.

Added the 200mL to get to the 6.5L that it’s supposed to take….and ran the oil measurement process again. Same Max indicated. Duh!