How much is too much oil?

[///Manuel]

I was at the AutoX the other day when it looked like I was a little low on oil. I was surprised because it was sudden, so I added about 1/3 of a quart and now I just checked again and it looks like I have too much, it's over the highest mark by a little.
Should I drain some out? Oh yeah, I'm going to the track tomorrow ...

[BJO]

don't worry about it. i always add an extra qt of oil before any auto-x. it usually burns off later. you should still add an extra qt when you go to the track. it's cheap insurance against lifter tick.

[yardboy]

first time at an autox my lifters were ticking like crazy. john (pa) suggested another full quart. It worked like a charm and no problems after that. i always add an extra quart before competition or track days.

[EUROMPOWEREDM3]

Do not go over the maximum amount. My friend is a BMW Master Tech, he specifically advised me not to. it requires 6 quarts. if you put too much oil in, it can do permanent damage to your engine. This is not a camaro or an american car or asian rice box, you can't just say "Oh just throw it in, it will be fine" because it wont. I forgot the correct terminology as for what it actually does, but the results are not good. when you AUTOX an American M3 without a euro dual sump or pickup oil cooler, the engine actually gets starved, the oil pushes to one side, and it cannot gain the proper oil it needs. Filling it up extra will hurt it, just get a euro oil cooler, and you wont have that problem anymore.

[Kevlar]

I've been running 7quarts (7.5 qts for auto-x / track) no problems. I believe the frothing starts when you really overfill it.

[BMLRacer]

Originally posted by EUROMPOWEREDM3
Do not go over the maximum amount. My friend is a BMW Master Tech, he specifically advised me not to. it requires 6 quarts. if you put too much oil in, it can do permanent damage to your engine. This is not a camaro or an american car or asian rice box, you can't just say "Oh just throw it in, it will be fine" because it wont. I forgot the correct terminology as for what it actually does, but the results are not good. when you AUTOX an American M3 without a euro dual sump or pickup oil cooler, the engine actually gets starved, the oil pushes to one side, and it cannot gain the proper oil it needs. Filling it up extra will hurt it, just get a euro oil cooler, and you wont have that problem anymore.


Well, your friend is mistaken. Putting an extra half to ful quart in over the full line on the dipstick will not hurt the engine one bit. In fact, you could put 3 or 4 quarts in and still not hurt things too bad. Not that I'm recommending that, but there is a lot of tolerence in oil capacity so that dumb shits don't blow out all the selas by forgetting to drain all the oil. When I prep any BMW for track or autocross, I fill the oil to the full line on the dipstick, add 1 more full quart of oil, and scribe a new full line on the dipstick.

Getting a Euro Oil Cooler won't do squat for oil starvation. A Euro pan will help, but it won't fit a 3.2L US, is not allowed in any stock Solo or Club Racing classed, and it cost's about a G for the kit. An extra quart of oil cures most of the problems and cots about $7.00. PTG is who told all of the racers back in 1994 to start adding an extra quart of oil, but most everyone had been doing it since the dark ages. I have run my street car, customers street cars, and every track BMW I have ever been around 1 quart of oil over and I have yet to see a problem. Same goes for all of my BMW tech buddies. Most "in the know" techs will over fill a bit if they know that the car is driven hard.

Brian

[frayed]

Hey Brian,

Any thoughts on the Turner baffled oil pan to reduce starvation? It doesn't cure the issue of only having one pickup, but I would think it would help.

Jeff

[Kos-motate139]

I've heard that the overfill (1 quart over) can be a problem in the S14, potentially causing oil seals to blow, but isn't in any of the newer I-6's. I have an article somewhere talking about the 'new' (at the time) M50 and how that particular problem was 'fixed'.

FWIW...

[BMLRacer]

The S14 is a completely and totally different animal than the M50/M52. The I-6 engines will all oil starve with out an extra bit of oil in them. Even the Euro engines like to be run 1/2qt over.

Brian

[///Manuel]

Great info, thank you guys.

[Kos-motate139]

Originally posted by BMLRacer
The S14 is a completely and totally different animal than the M50/M52. The I-6 engines will all oil starve with out an extra bit of oil in them. Even the Euro engines like to be run 1/2qt over.
Brian

Right, exactly my point. Perhaps that's what EUROMPOWEREDM3's Master Tech was referring to, the overfill danger on the S14, not the I6's. Both I6's (My M3, X's M Roadster) that have been my pleasure to flog have done a lot less clacking filled to the top of the stick + a little more. No blown seal probs in the 110K between the two... :cool:

[kitM3]

What about mixing different brands of oil or different weights of the same brand?
I am using redline synthetic and i think i need to add a half quart or 1 quart, but the weight of the oil i have right now if different than the weight in the car right now.

[EUROMPOWEREDM3]

your god and i am not

[BMLRacer]

Originally posted by EUROMPOWEREDM3
your god and i am not

I hope that isnt pointed at me. I'm no where near a BMW god, but I do know alot of things which I have been more than happy to share with everyone.

I have more working knowledge with these cars than most of the Master Techs out there. And, I count most of the top engine builders, racers, team managers, and several Techs as close friends. If I don't have an answer, I can usually find one.

Brian

[UD///M]

Originally posted by kitM3
What about mixing different brands of oil or different weights of the same brand?
I am using redline synthetic and i think i need to add a half quart or 1 quart, but the weight of the oil i have right now if different than the weight in the car right now.

That is not a problem. Almost all oils are compatible with other brands. Even different weights.

[///Manuel]

kitM3, actually some guys mix up oils (weight and brand) on purpose to quiet down their ltw flywheel noise. But that's for transmission fluid not engine one.

[EUROMPOWEREDM3]

Would you suggest a 10-60 for a Euro M3 3.2L engine? its the same oil that the new M3 uses...its more like mudd because you can shake the bottle and it barely moves. let me know what you think

[Don Stevens]

EuroMpoweredM3

Do a search on TSB on the mainpage of this forum. Master Technician Jon Caldito posted a TSB regarding use of the 10W60 oil for cars manufactured at certain times and/or for cars that experience significnat oil loss.

[BMLRacer]

Euro,

We always use 10/30 in the race cars with no problems at all. I don't think that there is any need to run the "mud" unless the thing is leaking oil like crazy.

Brian