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Thread: Oil additives advisable?

  1. #1
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    Oil additives advisable?

    Just inherited a 2002 325i w/ sport package, dinan intake/exhaust, 168K miles on it. Motor has slight leak on the oil pan (will replace gasket soon) and just wondering if it is advisable to add a high mileage additive to mitigate any current & future leaks. Manual says BMW does not recommend but is that sacred gospel?

    I've been using high mileage oils and additives on my older Japanese cars and so far they work meaning no leaks.

    Thanks
    Last edited by Rtp; 01-12-2018 at 02:41 PM.

  2. #2
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    2004 325XI/2008 GL320
    I've tried high mileage oil to see if it would help slow an oil pan gasket leak and nothing worked. However, Castrol LL02 0w40 made the leak worse. Switched back to Mobil 1 LL02 0w40 and it slowed back down. Whatever you do, don't use "Restore" or anything in its likeness as you will clog the vanos solenoid screens.

  3. #3
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    Thanks dhurley! I do use M1 0w40, I guess my main concern is also if these additives can do more harm than good to the motor.

  4. #4
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    I wouldn't waste your money on oil additives, as the Mobil 1 has plenty in there for the LL-01 standard. Now is you want to add some to the fuel tank, well that would be a different story.

    The key is to replace the oil on a regular basis, and the only additive I add is right before changing the oil every couple of years is ATF to clean the motor out.

    The pictures are from last year when the car had it's valve cover replaced around 110k miles.
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  5. #5
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    Tell me more about how you use ATF to clean the engine.
    1) how much do you add?
    2) do you drive it xxxkm or just let it idle for so many minutes?
    1999 2.8L Z3 Roadster,
    2000 3.0L Z3 Roadster,

    There is only one thing more pleasurable than working on a Z3, that's driving it top down on a fine day.

  6. #6
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    Change the oil every 5k

  7. #7
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by Muzz258 View Post
    Tell me more about how you use ATF to clean the engine.
    1) how much do you add?
    2) do you drive it xxxkm or just let it idle for so many minutes?
    I use a quart in total.
    1) Add 1/2 quart drive for about 100 miles.
    2) Add the rest and drive for about another 100 miles, then change the oil and filter.

    I do this before any Inspection I/II on the car and keep the motor nice and clean, so about every 20k-25k miles.

    Normally I will do an average of 10k miles on the wagon every year, if you want to change your oil sooner that is up to you. The manufacture of the Oil you put in the car has spent a lot of time, money and researching showing that it can go the distance.

    Lastly Oil threads are the worst. Everybody likes to weigh in on their opinion on this subject, just do the research on the oil you plan on using and make your own decision, BMW already has.
    Last edited by dworthy; 01-15-2018 at 06:44 AM.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  8. #8
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    Let me chime in here! I am typically against adding anything to the oil except more oil! Yes, adding ATF will clean the engine innards. But, so will more frequent oil/filter changes. As far as adding high mileage oil to the BMW LL01 rated oil, it worked for my departed 2001 330Ci. The rear main seal on early M54 engines tends to seap oil after ~100k miles. I added a quart of Mobil 1 10W50 high mileage oil to the 6 quarts of Mobil 1 0W40. The minor clutch shuddering stopped almost completely.

    Departed? Yeah, I now drive a 2018 M240i. He’s a beast.

  9. #9
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    Thank you @Dworthy for the information. I understand the sentiment in which is has been provided. It will be added to the information I use to decide on oil change intervals and procedures.
    1999 2.8L Z3 Roadster,
    2000 3.0L Z3 Roadster,

    There is only one thing more pleasurable than working on a Z3, that's driving it top down on a fine day.

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