OIL LEVEL SENSOR Replacement!...

I have read about this at leats 5 times here if not more. So finally it happened to me. I have 02 325 ci @ 44,000miles. Yellow oil light comes on about 5-10 sec. after I start the engine, stays on for about 10 sec. and the goes off. It does it everytime I start the car no matter the engine is cool or hot.
So to the best of my knowledge this should be due to oil level sensor going bad.
But just to make sure it is not the oil level, I checked it. I am not a dummy but I have to admit that the dipstick was not clear to read. Actually it was the most confusing I have ever seen. So I took the picture of it. Would you guys please take a look at it and let me know how to read it please?
So if the oil level is good(It's been only 3000miles since the oil replacement.), I will go a head and replace the oil level sensor. Is there a link to how to DIY it?
Can someone post it for me please? If it is not too complicated, I will do it myself. If not I will take it in.

Thank you...

Your oil level is full. The level is measured on the center "block" between the two cutouts.

I hear the sensor replacement is easy, but I haven't done it myself. I believe it requires you to drain the oil (you could put it back in the engine if you're not close to needing a change). Get a Bentley manual!

Originally Posted by KrisL

Your oil level is full. The level is measured on the center "block" between the two cutouts.

I hear the sensor replacement is easy, but I haven't done it myself. I believe it requires you to drain the oil (you could put it back in the engine if you're not close to needing a change). Get a Bentley manual!

I do not think I can convince myself to get underneath the car and drain the oil at this stage. I was hoping that it is something that I can replace through the engine compartment without draining the oil. Are you sure oil needs to be drained?

So if I go to dealer for this, they will for sure use new oil and depending on how much the sensor costs, this repair will be around $300+ level I imagine...

Originally Posted by iskoos

I do not think I can convince myself to get underneath the car and drain the oil at this stage. I was hoping that it is something that I can replace through the engine compartment without draining the oil. Are you sure oil needs to be drained?

So if I go to dealer for this, they will for sure use new oil and depending on how much the sensor costs, this repair will be around $300+ level I imagine...

Yep, looks like the oil level sensor connects right into the oil pan, so yes, you'd have to drain the oil to replace it...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...11&fg=10&hl=74

It's really rather easy...just put the oil back in the car..

edit: or you could just wait until it's time for an oil change anyway...

IIRC, On E46 coupes, there's a crossmember in the way.

Originally Posted by Pvt. Joker

IIRC, On E46 coupes, there's a crossmember in the way.

don't know wthat it is but I will have to wait for oil change to get this job done. I am in no mood to drain the oil for a simple oil sensor replacement now. Especially if it has no harm other than seeing the yellow light for couple seconds.

The question is when my oil change is due...
I changed the oil at the dealer last year when the milage was around 42,000. The service odometer was calling for oil service but I didn't ask for oil service just for the oil change. And did the microfilter replacement myself and resetted the service odometer. Now the car doens't call for "oil service" anymore. Instead you see "Inspection". I have now 44,400 miles and about 12000 miles to inspection.

Does this mean I don't have to change the oil till then???

I was recommended by a mechanic to do it every 6,000 miles. he said that keeping the oil for 15,000 miles as the dealer recommends is a torture to the engine especially if the car is more than 4 years old.

Originally Posted by iskoos

don't know wthat it is but I will have to wait for oil change to get this job done. I am in no mood to drain the oil for a simple oil sensor replacement now. Especially if it has no harm other than seeing the yellow light for couple seconds.

The question is when my oil change is due...
I changed the oil at the dealer last year when the milage was around 42,000. The service odometer was calling for oil service but I didn't ask for oil service just for the oil change. And did the microfilter replacement myself and resetted the service odometer. Now the car doens't call for "oil service" anymore. Instead you see "Inspection". I have now 44,400 miles and about 12000 miles to inspection.

Does this mean I don't have to change the oil till then???

When you reset the service indicator, it simply toggles between 'inspection' and 'oil service', and counts down from 15,000 miles each time.

I change my oil every 7500 miles, but I only reset the service indicator every *other* time I change the oil, when it reaches ~0 miles.

Originally Posted by AJ330CI

I was recommended by a mechanic to do it every 6,000 miles. he said that keeping the oil for 15,000 miles as the dealer recommends is a torture to the engine especially if the car is more than 4 years old.

Only oil analysis can tell.

So in this case I have one oil change on the way before the inspection, which should be the Inspection II in my case.

6000 miles may not be necessary for every driving condition but I agree that 15,000 miles is a torture. I would never go more than 7,500 miles.