Got a second hand E90, -16,000KM overdue for oil change?!

steve@codemybimmer · 04-09-2010, 12:55 AM

I bought a used 2006 325i last week and today, I was looking at the service indicators and found that it says -16,000KM on the oil change indicator.

I'm going to take it in for an oil change ASAP but given that this runs on synthetic oil, will there be a lot of damage to the engine? I really wish I knew about this before I purchased the car.

Could it be that they might have forgotten to reset the oil indicator on the car? I'm surprised the car can still run fine being -16,000KM overdue for a oil change.

I opened the hood and took a small sample of the oil, it looked pretty dark but it was still somewhat transparent. What would the oil really look like if it's been unchanged for so long?

Tallest · 04-09-2010, 01:03 AM

could have forgotten, 16000 + on same oil is scary given that interval is 20000 km so you're potentially on 36000km of same oil. really feel sorry for you, didn't you ask when was last oil change, that's like one of those basic questions when getting a used car... At least look at the dipstick, it has to be pitch black. Check it.

but really i suspect that it's just dealer who didn't reset and I hope that's all.

OlivaresAnthony · 04-09-2010, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 320what

could have forgotten, 16000 + on same oil is scary given that interval is 20000 km so you're potentially on 36000km of same oil. really feel sorry for you, didn't you ask when was last oil change, that's like one of those basic questions when getting a used car... At least look at the dipstick, it has to be pitch black. Check it.

but really i suspect that it's just dealer who didn't reset and I hope that's all.

umm...fyi, there is no dipstick for engine oil on our cars.

steve@codemybimmer · 04-09-2010, 01:34 AM

No wonder I why I couldn't find the dip stick. I took another look at the oil and it seemed pretty pitch black. I can only hope that no major damage was done to the engine.

VTECaddict · 04-09-2010, 01:57 AM

Could you ask a dealer to pull the service histories to see when the last oil change was? It might have had a low mileage annual oil service shortly before the car said it was time for an oil change, and they didn't reset the computer.

If it really has been that long, I would do some frequent oil changes for a while to help get any sludge out. Maybe you can pay a good BMW shop to pull the valve cover and see if it's sludged up in there?

Reminds me of this guy....http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1281659

sleepyx637 · 04-09-2010, 02:04 AM

You sure it's not indicating that you have 16000KM left before you're due for the next oil change? That's how mine is -- it tells me how many miles I have left before I'm due...

steve@codemybimmer · 04-09-2010, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepyx637

You sure it's not indicating that you have 16000KM left before you're due for the next oil change? That's how mine is -- it tells me how many miles I have left before I'm due...

The oil symbol is red and it says (-16000km) not (16000km) so I'm pretty sure it means that it's overdue. The other service indicators like front brakes and rear brakes have positive numbers and the symbol illuminates in orange.

As soon as I start the car, it says "Service" (-16000km) so that's not good.

VTEC, at least now I don't feel as bad since that guy has gone 60,000km on the same oil, or is it Miles? I don't think mine can be remotely as bad. I'll have the mechanic open it up and see if it's sludging badly or not. Was that car even still running at the time?

VTECaddict · 04-09-2010, 02:34 AM

It was 60k miles, so over 96.5k km

I don't think yours would be nearly that bad. If there are no sludge problems, I would still change the oil a bit for frequently for a while to help clean out the engine. Maybe use some Seafoam too to help clean out the internals.

Tallest · 04-09-2010, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlivaresAnthony

umm...fyi, there is no dipstick for engine oil on our cars.

oh, i thought that was only on 335s. Mine is diesel and i have the dipstick - at least what looks like one, as i actually dont look at it since computer tells me when to bring and my intervals are much shorter by choice anyway than whatever Bmw recommends.

ENINTY · 04-11-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Could you ask a dealer to pull the service histories to see when the last oil change was? It might have had a low mileage annual oil service shortly before the car said it was time for an oil change, and they didn't reset the computer.

If it really has been that long, I would do some frequent oil changes for a while to help get any sludge out. Maybe you can pay a good BMW shop to pull the valve cover and see if it's sludged up in there?

Reminds me of this guy....http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1281659

I wouldn't pull the valve cover, it's not that easy on an N52 engine. If you are really worried, have a mechanic run a small inspection scope through the oil fill hole.

Freakazoid · 04-11-2010, 08:21 PM

not to be a jerk...and to state the obvious... but I hope you learned your lesson... I don't understand how you didn't notice the first time you fired up the car, and before signing any papers??

04-09-2010, 12:55 AM	#1
steve@codemybimmer Lieutenant Colonel 665 Rep 1,976 Posts Drives: 2020 G20 320i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada & HK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2020 320i M Sport [0.00]	Got a second hand E90, -16,000KM overdue for oil change?! I bought a used 2006 325i last week and today, I was looking at the service indicators and found that it says -16,000KM on the oil change indicator. I'm going to take it in for an oil change ASAP but given that this runs on synthetic oil, will there be a lot of damage to the engine? I really wish I knew about this before I purchased the car. Could it be that they might have forgotten to reset the oil indicator on the car? I'm surprised the car can still run fine being -16,000KM overdue for a oil change. I opened the hood and took a small sample of the oil, it looked pretty dark but it was still somewhat transparent. What would the oil really look like if it's been unchanged for so long?
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04-09-2010, 01:03 AM	#2
Tallest Major General 1310 Rep 6,311 Posts Drives: 911 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 911 [10.00]	could have forgotten, 16000 + on same oil is scary given that interval is 20000 km so you're potentially on 36000km of same oil. really feel sorry for you, didn't you ask when was last oil change, that's like one of those basic questions when getting a used car... At least look at the dipstick, it has to be pitch black. Check it. but really i suspect that it's just dealer who didn't reset and I hope that's all. __________________ 997.2 F30.F11.E86.E90.E90.E36
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04-09-2010, 01:34 AM	#4
steve@codemybimmer Lieutenant Colonel 665 Rep 1,976 Posts Drives: 2020 G20 320i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada & HK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2020 320i M Sport [0.00]	No wonder I why I couldn't find the dip stick. I took another look at the oil and it seemed pretty pitch black. I can only hope that no major damage was done to the engine.
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04-09-2010, 01:57 AM	#5
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Could you ask a dealer to pull the service histories to see when the last oil change was? It might have had a low mileage annual oil service shortly before the car said it was time for an oil change, and they didn't reset the computer. If it really has been that long, I would do some frequent oil changes for a while to help get any sludge out. Maybe you can pay a good BMW shop to pull the valve cover and see if it's sludged up in there? Reminds me of this guy....http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1281659 __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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04-09-2010, 02:04 AM	#6
sleepyx637 Captain 19 Rep 952 Posts Drives: '09 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	You sure it's not indicating that you have 16000KM left before you're due for the next oil change? That's how mine is -- it tells me how many miles I have left before I'm due...
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04-09-2010, 02:34 AM	#8
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	It was 60k miles, so over 96.5k km I don't think yours would be nearly that bad. If there are no sludge problems, I would still change the oil a bit for frequently for a while to help clean out the engine. Maybe use some Seafoam too to help clean out the internals. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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04-11-2010, 08:21 PM	#11
Freakazoid Captain 181 Rep 962 Posts Drives: Saturn Redline Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	not to be a jerk...and to state the obvious... but I hope you learned your lesson... I don't understand how you didn't notice the first time you fired up the car, and before signing any papers??
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