I have a 2003 manual transmission 325i and my oil light keeps turning on spuratically while I'm driving. I'm paranoid AF that my oil pump is going to go out, because of the light and because there is a ticking type noise, not lifters, it almost sounds like the ticking your hot car makes sometimes after you shut it off. I've read about the bolts and nuts that can come off in the oil pan, and I want to look in mine and it appears I may have to remove the subframe to get the f**** thing off. Does anybody have any advice on this?! It's freezing outside and i feel like something catastrophic is about to happen unless I do something! ***128534; Thank you!
Remove subframe to get to oil pump? REALLY??
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Welcome to Bimmerfest!
We realize you are frustrated and angry, due to your car problems. There is a lot of good help available here. Fast Bob is among those people who are very knowledgeable. The E46 Wiki also has a lot of good information.
First things first. Is your oil light yellow or red? Have you done a readout on your trouble codes? Your car will diagnose itself; you must read what it is trying to tell you.
:drive:
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Let's reset and restart the conversation......
Yes, you have to drop the subframe to get the pan off, but I would bet that isn't going to help you. Your oil light is on, what color is it (yellow or red)? How long does it stay on? And did you check your oil level? Most often the yellow light comes on and stays on for the first 20 or so seconds after you start it, if your oil level is full then your oil sensor is likely bad. It is in the bottom of the oil pan and can be removed easily, most people do it during their oil change as the pan needs to be empty.
If the light is red, then you have low oil pressure (under 12psi IIRC)
What you MISREAD is the "bolts and nuts coming off" in the pan. On some 330's, most often tracked cars, the oil pump nut can back off and allow the pump drive sprocket to come off. But it is due to harmonics of the 330 crank (longer stroke than the 325) above 6000rpm. This is not likely your problem as you A. have a 325 and B. probably don't spend a lot of time above 6000rpm like a tracked or auto x car would.
So you need to slow down and re-assess and give us more info to go on. Perhaps you have other issues.
What oil do you run? (brand and weight)
What color is the light?
These "ticking" sounds, do they happen all the time? Only when warm? Only when cold? Etc
Whats your mileage?
How often do you change your oil?
Yes, you have to drop the subframe to get the pan off, but I would bet that isn't going to help you. Your oil light is on, what color is it (yellow or red)? How long does it stay on? And did you check your oil level? Most often the yellow light comes on and stays on for the first 20 or so seconds after you start it, if your oil level is full then your oil sensor is likely bad. It is in the bottom of the oil pan and can be removed easily, most people do it during their oil change as the pan needs to be empty.
If the light is red, then you have low oil pressure (under 12psi IIRC)
What you MISREAD is the "bolts and nuts coming off" in the pan. On some 330's, most often tracked cars, the oil pump nut can back off and allow the pump drive sprocket to come off. But it is due to harmonics of the 330 crank (longer stroke than the 325) above 6000rpm. This is not likely your problem as you A. have a 325 and B. probably don't spend a lot of time above 6000rpm like a tracked or auto x car would.
So you need to slow down and re-assess and give us more info to go on. Perhaps you have other issues.
What oil do you run? (brand and weight)
What color is the light?
These "ticking" sounds, do they happen all the time? Only when warm? Only when cold? Etc
Whats your mileage?
How often do you change your oil?
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He's frozen under his car with the subframe off.....:rofl:
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"His unfortunate death could have been prevented by simply using the correct oil" :rofl:
The oil light has only been red one time and only for a split second when I started it. It comes on while I'm driving the car, stays on for about a min or so, then turns off. I just barely got this car. But the windshield has a sticker that says the oil needs to be changed in about 15k miles. I put 5w-30 full synthetic castrol oil in my cars. It leaks oil from the valve cover gasket, I was planning on fixing that when I fixed whatever is wrong with the oil pressure. As far as the first comment is concerned, sorry, bud, we didn't all come out of the womb knowing everything,like you did.
If I would have known that you guys were going to be such jerks i never would have came here looking for help. I thought this was a good place to find knowledgeable people to answer questions. Obviously you already know everything and always have. Nobody has ever had to tell you anything, right? I don't see why you are being so rude over me simply asking a question.
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You obviously haven`t read the Wiki yet, or you would be answering your own questions by now.
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You got it twisted, Bucko....you`re the one being a jerk ! We are perfectly OK with helping those who are willing to help themselves.
A simple request was made of you, i.e., "read the E46 Wiki"....it is our gift to you, a valuable compilation of information that many of us have put a lot of time and effort into, for the sole purpose of educating you about these cars.
So, read the Wiki, educate yourself, and don`t be a crybaby, we have little tolerance for that. Show a little initiative, and you`ll do quite well here....
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242 Posts
yellow oil light
My oil light comes on after I have started the car and will remain on long enough to bother me, maybe 30 seconds. I am told the oil level sensor needs replacing and I agree because my oil level is full. If the oil light came on at any other time other than startup, I would be very concerned. Change your valve cover gasket, pull your plugs, and if you can check your cylinder pressures. Just because its a good time to do it.
My oil light comes on after I have started the car and will remain on long enough to bother me, maybe 30 seconds. I am told the oil level sensor needs replacing and I agree because my oil level is full. If the oil light came on at any other time other than startup, I would be very concerned. Change your valve cover gasket, pull your plugs, and if you can check your cylinder pressures. Just because its a good time to do it.
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Didn't read my post I see. I said weight AND brand. Not all 5w30 is rated for the BMW. Many 30 weights shear off and can cause issues.
So the light is red while driving? Or while idling? Maybe post a video of startup :thumbup:
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