N57 Oil Consumption - Rings?
Discussion
Afternoon,
Purchased a 2014 530d a few months ago.
I serviced the car a few days after purchasing, around 500 miles later I checked the level which was just above the minimum.
Same again 500 miles later - another litre.
Its covered 130k, good service history, its had its last three services with me every 6k using good 5-40.
I had the typical rocker cover leak towards the back, but it didn't look enough to be a litre every 500 miles.
I replaced the rocker cover, which cured the leak - but I'm still consuming oil.
The block is clean and there is no dripping oil, so I can only think that its being burned off by the engine.
Intercooler pipework has minimal amounts of oil, intercooler was clean.
Minimal crankcase pressure and you otherwise would never know, runs very well, no smoke, no hesitation, exhaust tips stay immaculately clean with no soot.
I think the current consumption points to an issue, my thoughts at the moment are potential stuck oil control rings (the DPF must be crying out for mercy).
Have come across a few forum threads whereby people have carried out a "piston soak" - essentially removing the injectors and adding carbon cleaners to the cylinder and letting it sit for a few hours.
Just wondering if anyone else has come across this issue and if they found a resolution?
Many thanks.
Purchased a 2014 530d a few months ago.
I serviced the car a few days after purchasing, around 500 miles later I checked the level which was just above the minimum.
Same again 500 miles later - another litre.
Its covered 130k, good service history, its had its last three services with me every 6k using good 5-40.
I had the typical rocker cover leak towards the back, but it didn't look enough to be a litre every 500 miles.
I replaced the rocker cover, which cured the leak - but I'm still consuming oil.
The block is clean and there is no dripping oil, so I can only think that its being burned off by the engine.
Intercooler pipework has minimal amounts of oil, intercooler was clean.
Minimal crankcase pressure and you otherwise would never know, runs very well, no smoke, no hesitation, exhaust tips stay immaculately clean with no soot.
I think the current consumption points to an issue, my thoughts at the moment are potential stuck oil control rings (the DPF must be crying out for mercy).
Have come across a few forum threads whereby people have carried out a "piston soak" - essentially removing the injectors and adding carbon cleaners to the cylinder and letting it sit for a few hours.
Just wondering if anyone else has come across this issue and if they found a resolution?
Many thanks.
Edited by AlexGSi2000 on Monday 10th March 15:59
I'm sure there is a crank case breather valve (Know as CCV's) on those engines somewhere (can't remember)
I'd start with that. You could get the crank case vaccuam level checked to confirm if the CCV has failed. I has a e39 528 that never used oil, CCV failed and it drank the stuff like it was going out of fasion.
I'd start with that. You could get the crank case vaccuam level checked to confirm if the CCV has failed. I has a e39 528 that never used oil, CCV failed and it drank the stuff like it was going out of fasion.
996owner said:
I'm sure there is a crank case breather valve (Know as CCV's) on those engines somewhere (can't remember)
I'd start with that. You could get the crank case vaccuam level checked to confirm if the CCV has failed. I has a e39 528 that never used oil, CCV failed and it drank the stuff like it was going out of fasion.
Thanks for the suggestion, I had thought the same, however as its integral to the rocker cover, this was changed along with the rocker cover.I'd start with that. You could get the crank case vaccuam level checked to confirm if the CCV has failed. I has a e39 528 that never used oil, CCV failed and it drank the stuff like it was going out of fasion.
Just to validate your thinking - I have an N57 3.0d at 131k in an X5 and it uses almost no oil between services so you definitely have an issue. The only oil loss problems I’ve had are with the rocker cover back corner (same as you), and I think I did the oil filter housing gaskets too.
It’s got to be going somewhere…
It’s got to be going somewhere…
I had a 2007 120d for 7 years and 120k miles never used a drop of oil, then I got a new a 2014 F30 330d another 120k miles not one drop between services. Because of ULEZ bought a 2018 335d on 24k miles now on 72k miles and for the last 20k has used a ltr of oil every 3500 miles it has been back to two different BMW dealers 5 times between them.
They have changed the rocker ,changed heat exchanger ,done other things no difference there is no oil leak.This has been all on my used BMW Warranty but with me paying excess ( apart from a couple of times) They now suggest taking the turbo apart but if no oil leak I am having to take the hit cost wise. I have given up and put the oil in about every 10 weeks and accept this is the way it will have to be. This burning oil thing is a nightmare to fix.
They have changed the rocker ,changed heat exchanger ,done other things no difference there is no oil leak.This has been all on my used BMW Warranty but with me paying excess ( apart from a couple of times) They now suggest taking the turbo apart but if no oil leak I am having to take the hit cost wise. I have given up and put the oil in about every 10 weeks and accept this is the way it will have to be. This burning oil thing is a nightmare to fix.
experience of 2 N57s and neither burned oil
however my 530d burned 750ml between one service, after which back to no oil consumption. there were no repairs or leaks, so i put it down to incorrect oil grade / spec being used (was serviced at a MD).
1ltr every 500mls seems excessive, other areas to check would be sump plug (crush washer needs to be changed every time) or turbo letting oil through.
lastly is the oil you use the correct BMW LL Spec?
however my 530d burned 750ml between one service, after which back to no oil consumption. there were no repairs or leaks, so i put it down to incorrect oil grade / spec being used (was serviced at a MD).
1ltr every 500mls seems excessive, other areas to check would be sump plug (crush washer needs to be changed every time) or turbo letting oil through.
lastly is the oil you use the correct BMW LL Spec?
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.
I have also had a few 2.0 N47 cars in the past, they used minimal amounts of oil, I never needed to top up between changes.
The engine is absolutely clean - hard to believe for a BMW, but the only leak was from the back of the rocker cover - which I have now replaced.
I have ordered a few tins of Berrymans B12, injector seals and bolts - I intend to do a "piston soak" with the next oil change.
My theory is that the Euro 6 cars may make use of the EGR more than previous versions, therefore sooting up the oil control rings and causing excessive oil consumption.
In theory the Berrymans should sit in the cylinder and gradually work its way through the rings, hopefully freeing them off in the process.
Old me would have immediately removed the likes of the EGR, swirl flaps & DPF, however I dont want the thing to smell / smoke like an old bus.
I have also had a few 2.0 N47 cars in the past, they used minimal amounts of oil, I never needed to top up between changes.
The engine is absolutely clean - hard to believe for a BMW, but the only leak was from the back of the rocker cover - which I have now replaced.
I have ordered a few tins of Berrymans B12, injector seals and bolts - I intend to do a "piston soak" with the next oil change.
My theory is that the Euro 6 cars may make use of the EGR more than previous versions, therefore sooting up the oil control rings and causing excessive oil consumption.
In theory the Berrymans should sit in the cylinder and gradually work its way through the rings, hopefully freeing them off in the process.
Old me would have immediately removed the likes of the EGR, swirl flaps & DPF, however I dont want the thing to smell / smoke like an old bus.
Have you got Bimmerlink? You can check what the ash content (burnt oil) is in the DPF with that.
The majority of any smoke will get absorbed by the DPF/Cat because it's particulate matter, so clean tailpipes isn't a sign of good health on an EU5 and newer diesels. If you do see smoke, the DPF matrix has collapsed/cracked.
Occam's razor..... if it's not leaking it, it's burning it.
I would put money on the oil control rings given that quantity of consumption. Not even shot valve guides or turbo bearings would chew through that much oil over such a short distance.
Short journeys and skipped services congeals the oil around the rings and they lose tension on the cylinder walls and no longer rotate either. It is the number one killer of N47s and N57s. And B47/57 are going the same way as well, Drivetribe did a video on it recently.
Berrimans won't do anything. You need something stronger like Carbon X - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276017818001?shprz=EBAY...
Or if I were you, I would import some Valvoline Restore & Protect and do 4 or 5 changes of that with no more than 3000 miles between each change.
If neither of the above sort it, it's engine out time I'm afraid.
The majority of any smoke will get absorbed by the DPF/Cat because it's particulate matter, so clean tailpipes isn't a sign of good health on an EU5 and newer diesels. If you do see smoke, the DPF matrix has collapsed/cracked.
Occam's razor..... if it's not leaking it, it's burning it.
I would put money on the oil control rings given that quantity of consumption. Not even shot valve guides or turbo bearings would chew through that much oil over such a short distance.
Short journeys and skipped services congeals the oil around the rings and they lose tension on the cylinder walls and no longer rotate either. It is the number one killer of N47s and N57s. And B47/57 are going the same way as well, Drivetribe did a video on it recently.
Berrimans won't do anything. You need something stronger like Carbon X - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276017818001?shprz=EBAY...
Or if I were you, I would import some Valvoline Restore & Protect and do 4 or 5 changes of that with no more than 3000 miles between each change.
If neither of the above sort it, it's engine out time I'm afraid.
Edited by rottenegg on Friday 14th March 14:51
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