Hi guys just a quick one, I’m helping a friend change the oil on his ‘99 840ci. The oil was drained a week ago but owing to the sump bolt stripping upon reinstallation, it’s sat empty of oil for all that time while a new bolt was sourced.
When we fit the new bolt and refill with oil, I’m worried about the lack of oil on the internal components. Is there a trick to cranking the engine over to build oil pressure to the correct level before starting? I was thinking of disconnecting all the coil packs - is there a better way?
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When I finished my rebuild I just pulled the fuel relays and pulled the spark plugs. Then you can just turn it over with the key. Without the spark plugs in you won’t have much, if any, load on internals so you can use the starter for 30 sec or so to build oil pressure
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Last edited by DeltaSix; 08-10-2018 at 03:44 PM.
What's the difference between your situation and someone starting their car after winter hibernation or a dealer starting a car that spent an extended period of time on their showroom floor without being started? In all these situations the oil is pooled in the pan and there should still be a thin layer of oil on the internals as long as the oil's viscosity was good.
This is an interesting topic but is it really necessary? If so, is there some universally accepted rule of thumb out there saying if you don't start your car within a certain amount of time, you need to prime it?
Last edited by Sniff38; 08-12-2018 at 07:05 PM.
It's only been a week or so drained of oil, the only difference between just not using the car for a week and your situation is that the oil filter canister is empty - but that's usual on any oil change. So, don't worry in the slightest - fill it up with oil and off you go!
Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i
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Update
So the new sump plug threaded straight in and tightened nicely (phew!!)
Refilled the oil and changed the fuel filter. Doing this depressurised the fuel line. I took out the fuel pump fuse too so there was no chance of the engine firing.
Once it was all back together I held my breath and turned the key. It took about 15 seconds of cranking on the starter for the oil pressure light to go out. After this, the fuel pump fuse was put back in, cranked it again and it fired up and sounded great.
I suppose the main reason I posted this question is because out of all the times I’ve changed the oil on a vehicle, I’ve never been in a situation where the car has been left empty for a week with the sump plug out. That, and the car - one of the last 8s ever built -isn’t mine!
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