Burning Oil - United Bimmer Community

**Mercenary(FH)** · 05-08-2007, 03:06 PM

just curious the e36 we all know is a good engine. but i was wondering i mean all engines get old....but i mean with my car having a 127k on the engine i've never noticed it to burn oil. but like most other cars with that many miles are burning through oil like crazy. now Im sure every engine loses oil. but I was curious if many other members experience burnt oil through the engine (doesnt count leaks)

NO im not being paranoid, just was curious .

thx

and if u are burning oil Im assuming it's most likely the piston rings? etc...

drz · 05-08-2007, 05:09 PM

I just want to add to what I said in the PM that I have never had an experience of bad oil burning with any car. I had a Mitsubishi Mirage that I sold with about 156k miles on the odo that never gave me such trouble. My sister's Civic has about 120k and doesn't burn any oil either. I really think it is a maintenance issue. As in, proper maintenance will prevent it from happening. But I really cannot know for sure.

**Numark318i** · 05-08-2007, 06:20 PM

318 burns zero oil. I have driven 10k on one change..and still no topping off and i was at full.
318 has 150k
330 eats about .5liter every 6k.
330 has 118k

**Mercenary(FH)** · 05-08-2007, 06:44 PM

wonder why the 330 does that....weird

is it the piston rings that cause them to burn oil?

**Numark318i** · 05-08-2007, 07:10 PM

not sure why it does it.

dealer told me its normal, a bunch of shops have done that.

I do drive the car hard, so redlining often will prolly cause more oil burning since shit is moving fster and im sure the rings have a point where they seep a little.

maybe?
idk

**Dudesky** · 05-08-2007, 07:14 PM

Common causes of oil burning are worn valve guides or seals, blow-by from worn piston rings, or a clogged PCV valve; the latter two causes pressurization of the oil pan, forcing oil upwards into the fuel delivery system.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 05-08-2007, 10:22 PM

are rings and whatever u mentioned expensive to replace?

**Wailer** · 05-17-2007, 08:26 PM

I've got a 94 - 325i with 157K and the oil usage between changes is not even noticeable on the dip stick......boy, should have never put this in writting....anyone know where to find a good E36 long block?

**B_w.** · 05-18-2007, 04:59 PM

its normal to burn some oil...nothing worng with it at all

**B_w.** · 05-18-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wailer

I've got a 94 - 325i with 157K and the oil usage between changes is not even noticeable on the dip stick......boy, should have never put this in writting....anyone know where to find a good E36 long block?

lol...what happened?

nick_318is · 05-18-2007, 07:35 PM

I'm burning some oil but i need to take my baby in for an inspection 2.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 05-19-2007, 06:16 PM

what do u think it is on ur car nick?

and assuming the rings themselves are inexpensive i guess the labor is in the 500$ range?

**B_w.** · 05-19-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercenary(FH)

what do u think it is on ur car nick?

and assuming the rings themselves are inexpensive i guess the labor is in the 500$ range?

not sure how much the rings are but the labor to replace them will be a lot more than that. to replace them you need to take most of the bottom end apart, drop the subframe or pull the motor...lots of work.