Diesel leaking into sump!

My 2 litre diesel 2007 X3 has just had it's high pressure pump reconditioned (new drive shaft and seals) but diesel is still leaking into the sump as my oil level is about 3" (=8 cm) above the maximum marker after only 300 more miles! It had a leak off test which showed that 3 of the 4 injectors are leaking twice as much diesel as the other one, but I was told to "leave them well alone" as the car starts and runs ok and this could not be causing the sump oil level rise. Any thoughts please?

I would assume that diesel doesn't make very good lubrication. Therfore I would flatbed to a dealer or indie and figure out what is wrong - unless you want to buy a new engine. You could also send a sample of the sump off to Blackstone and have them tell you what's in it. This would help you understand what is getting into the oil.

Thanks shendrick. The diesel, I am told from many experts, has to be either from the high pressure pump (reconditioned just 300 miles ago, cost to date £700!) or the injectors (quoted £1300 to change all 4!). I won't be driving it again other than the 20 miles to the next garage.

My 2 litre diesel 2007 X3 had it's high pressure pump reconditioned (new drive shaft and seals) in January 2012 as 3 litres of diesel had leaked into the sump as 8.5 litres came out at it's service. At it's next service in October 2012 (only 11k miles later), there was again too much oil/diesel in the sump. I have checked it regularly since and to my horror found today that the level is 8 to 10 mm above the max.
I have checked the dip-stick very carefully 5 times over the last 3 days as oil sticks in the pipe and then marks at least one half of the stick, making it look higher than it actually is (bad design BMW!). My posting on this subject in January 2012 was based on my faulty reading of the stick, resulting in my calling a flat-bed to take my car back to the garage 20 miles away, where they read the stick correctly showing no increase! This was very embarissing but at least the flat-bed driver was also misled by the reading the stick himself.
Prior to the reconditioning of the HP pump in Jan 2012 I had a leak off test which showed that 3 of the 4 injectors are leaking twice as much diesel as the other one, but I was told to "leave them well alone" as the car starts and runs ok and this could not be causing the sump oil level rise.
Can it really be that the HP pump is faulty again?

Over on the diesel thread here (Bimmerfest-BMW forums, Diesel Owners and Enthusiasts) there is a conversation about the problem of diesel leaking into the crankcase. Apparently it is caused by the DPF regeneration scheme. It appears to be especially pronounced with the new Mazda diesels in Australia. Worth a read, if only just to see how things can happen.

Thanks UncleJ. I do not think I use any biodiesel in my X3 though. Mazda may have some problems with their diesels, but I should not be getting any probs from a BM diesel!

How many miles/kms on your car?

78,000 miles now; 75,000 at the last service (when oil levels very high before oil was changed) and 63,000 when a new drive shaft and seal kit was fitted to the high pressure pump.

Did you figure something out?

No. It's been back into a diesel specialist this week, who can not find the solution to this recurring problem. He spoke to Bosch. It was suggested it could be "stuck in a regeneration program". He also said something about a "diesel particle filter". I am trying to speak to a BMW specialist (without paying BMW rates!).

Boy, that sure sounds like a problem that the folks in Oz are having. The problem may not just be biodiesel or Mazda but the diesel particulate filter and the regeneration process it uses -- which it sounds like BMW also uses (and probably the others as well). Good luck on this one and be sure to let us know what happens. In the meantime re-read that thread and the link it has to refresh your memory.

The high pressure pump has now been replaced with a reconditioned one. Many people had said it was the only way diesel could be getting into the engine oil. The garage also did a "regeneration" which improved the exhaust pressure e.g. cut-off speed highest measured values reduced from 124.9 to 85.9 mbar. Car seems to have more accelaration now. Hopefully the oil dilution prob is now sorted!

Thanks for letting us know! Good luck with your new pump.

+1 -- Someday we might even get diesel X3's in the US (even though they are assembled right here in S'burg now) so this is good to know. Thanks for the info!