2007 BMW X3 - Oil or Coolant Warning Light

[Japanese]

Has he looked to see if its low?

How dare you suggest the obvious.

He didn't. He though initially that is low on oil, but oil light is a orange oil can with waves below it. However that engine doesn't have an oil dipstick.
Today he added total of about 1/2 qt coolant and 3/4 qt Mobil 1 0W-40 and all lights are off. He runs Liqui Moly 5W-30 FE and at about 3,000 miles, his oil level light came out which means he lost about a quart of oil.

 

[KEVINK0000]

No heat is often a clogged heater core on these. He can try to carefully back flush it. I had to do it a couple of times on a 328i, and now the heat is stable. There was a lot of sediment. I would think after a head gasket job a good back flush would be in order.

 

[Japanese]

So he added coolant and it still says it's low coolant, or did the light go away?

This may be obvious... but it needs to be inspected for coolant leaks.

If it is N51/52 engine, which probably it is, it won’t have oil dipstick.

Hi everyone,
That friend of mine (the vehicle in the title - 2008 BMW X3, N52 engine) who had coolant and oil leaks, got some progress going on.

I believe the coolant leak was from coolant hoses and not a head gasket. The leak was repaired.
2008 BMW X3 (N52) - Coolant Leak

Also, this is the last message form the shop regarding the oil leak. The belt mentioned below is the auxiliary belt which the shop replaced a couple of months ago. Interesting why they didn't see the old belt piece and didn't replace the front crack seal back then.

The questions are:
Is it necessary to spend $1,500 more for oil pan removal and inspection for belt pieces in the oil?
Is it possible pieces of the old belt to go had gone through the front crack seal and then in the oil?

Thank you.

 

[MCompact]

Hi everyone,
That friend of mine (the vehicle in the title - 2008 BMW X3, N52 engine) who had coolant and oil leaks, got some progress going on.

I believe the coolant leak was from coolant hoses and not a head gasket. The leak was repaired.
2008 BMW X3 (N52) - Coolant Leak

Also, this is the last message form the shop regarding the oil leak. The belt mentioned below is the auxiliary belt which the shop replaced a couple of months ago. Interesting why they didn't see the old belt piece and didn't replace the front crack seal back then.

The questions are:
Is it necessary to spend $1,500 more for oil pan removal and inspection for belt pieces in the oil?
Is it possible pieces of the old belt to go had gone through the front crack seal and then in the oil?

Thank you.

View attachment 334747

Not only is it possible, it’s a frequent occurrence when the belt snaps. Your friend is fortunate that he doesn’t have to buy a new motor.

 

[Japanese]

Not only is it possible, it’s a frequent occurrence when the belt snaps. Your friend is fortunate that he doesn’t have to buy a new motor.

However, it's interesting how the shop didn't see those old belt pieces and the damaged front cranck seal a couple of months ago when they replaced that same auxiliary belt?

 

[MCompact]

The shop is probably unfamiliar with that failure mode.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

However, it's interesting how the shop didn't see those old belt pieces and the damaged front cranck seal a couple of months ago when they replaced that same auxiliary belt?

Something fishy about that. Maybe it was a different mechanic who did the belt the 1st time, and dropped those pieces of old belt behind the crank pulley during removal ?? Either way, can't prove the mechanic did it though. But, if I was you're friend, I would go back to the shop, with the original belt receipt, and tell them there was no oil leak until you changed the belt. Maybe get the price down on the pan removal if he throws a bit of a fit ?? I wouldn't go back to that shop ever again for future work.

 

[edyvw]

However, it's interesting how the shop didn't see those old belt pieces and the damaged front cranck seal a couple of months ago when they replaced that same auxiliary belt?

Tell him to take out the oil filter, disassemble it, and check for pieces of the belt. Since the engine is working, if there is a belt, I would assume that the pieces are very, very small, something like metal pieces when rod bearings die, but black.

 

[edyvw]

The shop is probably unfamiliar with that failure mode.

Probably. Many shops are.

 

[CleanSump]

N51/N52 serpentine belts getting eaten by the crank after it breaks is almost common. There are several manufacturers of aftermarket shields to prevent it - that's how common it is.
If the belt was eaten by the crank and pulled through the seal, then yes the oil pickup and everything past it must be checked for pieces of belt. Pieces get found blocking the oil pump pickup, in the oil filter, even thrown up into the valve train by the timing chain.
He needs a thorough inspection by a competent shop familiar with BMW engines.
He can google the problem if we aren't believed.
He also needs to read his owners manual before he turns the key again. He can download it free from BMW. Just google it. There are pictures of all the symbols and switches and what they signify.

 

[edyvw]

N51/N52 serpentine belts getting eaten by the crank after it breaks is almost common. There are several manufacturers of aftermarket shields to prevent it - that's how common it is.
If the belt was eaten by the crank and pulled through the seal, then yes the oil pickup and everything past it must be checked for pieces of belt. Pieces get found blocking the oil pump pickup, in the oil filter, even thrown up into the valve train by the timing chain.
He needs a thorough inspection by a competent shop familiar with BMW engines.
He can google the problem if we aren't believed.
He also needs to read his owners manual before he turns the key again. He can download it free from BMW. Just google it. There are pictures of all the symbols and switches and what they signify.

It is 80k item. Changing it at 60k solves the issue.
I have shield bcs. I track my 328. If the belt fails at 6,500rpm, that thing is going in for sure. I just change it at 50k intervals, no problems.

 

[Japanese]

He needs a thorough inspection by a competent shop familiar with BMW engines.

Yes, the shop he uses is a dedicated BMW shop.

It is 80k item. Changing it at 60k solves the issue.

The vehicle has about 110K miles or so. That's probably the original belt.

Thanks everyone for the valuable info and advices!

 

[edyvw]

Yes, the shop he uses is dedicated BMW shop.


The vehicle has about 110K miles or so. That's probably the original belt.

Thanks everyone for the valuable info and advices!

Probably. The belts are good. There is no issue with them.
The reason they fail is an oil leak in the oil filter housing.
If the leak is neglected, it leaks onto the belt, and the oil and the belt don't mix. The belt deteriorates fast, and there you go.
I would not be surprised if the belt was changed, but oil found its way onto the belt.

 

[Japanese]

The reason they fail is an oil leak in the oil filter housing.

Is the oil filter housing a DIY repair or requires professional skills and tools?

 

[edyvw]

Is the oil filter housing a DIY repair or requires professional skills and tools?

DIY, cheap one.
Only OE gaskets. That X3 might have a heat exchanger on the housing (what some call an oil cooler). Both should be replaced.
I think OFHG is $37, the one on the exchanger is a similar price.
If one on exchanger leaks, it will mix oil and coolant.

 

[Japanese]

DIY, cheap one.
Only OE gaskets. That X3 might have a heat exchanger on the housing (what some call an oil cooler). Both should be replaced.
I think OFHG is $37, the one on the exchanger is a similar price.
If one on exchanger leaks, it will mix oil and coolant.

Great info, thanks a lot!
I found a DIY video for the OFHG repair. The auxiliary belt is right under the OFH and (if not removed or well covered) all the oil and coolant will pour over it when the housing is removed.

 

[edyvw]

Great info, thanks a lot!
I found a DIY video for the OFHG repair. The auxiliary belt is right under the OFH and (if not removed or well covered) all the oil and coolant will pour over it when the housing is removed.

Yeah, numerous videos.

 

[Jerrysends]

Any ll01 oil will do. Oil brand seem to be the least concern.

 

[Legs4Arms]

BMW's are so polorizing.
My E39 540i was a gem until it wasn't.
Even with fastidious maintenance it developed oil puking and cooling issues.
The auto transmission took a dump on the poor soul that bought it from me soon after.
I took such good care of that car but I wouldn't buy another. The '98 328is was better but once they start to shart themselves pull the pin and get out, they're wallet-drainers.
You can treat a Lexus like a rental car and it'll just beg you to mile it out.
I'm done with euro stuff.

 

[Japanese]

BMW's are so polorizing.
My E39 540i was a gem until it wasn't.
Even with fastidious maintenance it developed oil puking and cooling issues.
The auto transmission took a dump on the poor soul that bought it from me soon after.
I took such good care of that car but I wouldn't buy another. The '98 328is was better but once they start to shart themselves pull the pin and get out, they're wallet-drainers.
You can treat a Lexus like a rental car and it'll just beg you to mile it out.
I'm done with euro stuff.

I told him those same things when he was looking for a car and told him to stick with Toyota/Lexus or Honda/Acura. But he likes more luxury German and British cars too. I'm still happy that he didn't buy a Jaguar. He was shopping for used car about $5K-6K.
But his last car was used Lexus ES300 and he dumped the transmission only after an year or two.