BMW 330Ci - Engine Oil Flush & Fossil vs Synthetic for mileage

[MadMurry 0]

Good Morning Gentlemen,

Car: BMW 330Ci E46 (year 2000), M54 engine, with 193000kms on the clock.

I had a conversation with someone who said that for a car this many kms he wouldn't recommend a fully synthetic oil, but instead either a mix or only fossil. I only just bought some Penrite 10w-40 fully synthetic which cost about $80! :banghead:

Also noticed when I put the oil in there was some grainy oil on the cap - the dipstick was fine. So either tonight or tomorrow I want to do a complete oil flush, oil filter and put in whatever oil you experienced folk can recommend.

So, what I would like to find out is the best off the shelf (Repco?) products for:

• Best/good oil for M54 with 193000kms on the clock (presumably I'll need two x 5 litres since diy site states about 6.5 quarts)
• Oil filter
• Engine oil flush

I'll be using the instructions from my330i.com.

Much appreciated!

Edited June 27, 2010 by mythan

[antil33t 90]

I have no experience with this car,

but in general I wouldn't put an engine flush through any car, because it can cause more problems. I would just change the oil more frequently.

And for filter, I would go down to the dealer and pick-up a genuine one.

[*Glenn* 854]

If its NZ new, use the Penrite 10w-40 fully synthetic. Jap import, service history unknown use 15w40 Semi synthetic

Use a genuine oil filter

If the car is new to you... do an oil & filter change now and another one with another new oil filter after 1,000km. Then stick to the correct service intervals.

I would also not recommend using a flush of any type. The grainy oil on the oil filler cap is just a build up of carbon deposits. The only way to get rid of deposits properly is to remove and clean out the rocker cover and sump, which is expensive to do unless you can do it yourself. I would also be doing the transmission with a new filter & pan gasket + I'd change the diff oil, brake fluid & coolant if you don't have any service history records.

Edited June 28, 2010 by *Glenn*

[MadMurry 0]

Thank you for your reponses.

I got the car serviced by BM Autobahn in Mt Maunganui a year ago and quite a bit was done on the maintenance since the previous owner never took it to a BMW specialist.

I've only done 9k's on it since then, but friend said probably worthwhile doing the oil again after spotting grainy oil. It appears however if I rub it between my fingers the grain becomes smooth.

Also noticed, after putting the fully synthetic in, that there was a yellow substance forming around the cap. Reading up it appears that it's most likely oxidation caused by the short trips to work during cold weather.

Is there a particular brand of 15w40 semi synthetic oil you'd recommend?

[*Glenn* 854]

If it's been using full synthetic, stick with full synthetic. Also keep an eye on the "yellow" formation. Thats not oxidation, its emulsification of the oil with water moisture. I hope your car isn't using water. Does it run properly ? especially on start up.

[MadMurry 0]

If it's been using full synthetic, stick with full synthetic. Also keep an eye on the "yellow" formation. Thats not oxidation, its emulsification of the oil with water moisture. I hope your car isn't using water. Does it run properly ? especially on start up.

Hi Glenn,

I've noticed no change in startup and running of the vehicle. Starts immediately, idle is stable and everything else appear normal.

Haven't checked the water lately to see if it's gone down so will do that as soon as I finish work. What would cause the moisture?

Anything else I should check to give you a better idea?

[*Glenn* 854]

Oil only emulsifies with water. How far do you travel to & from work? How much yellow is there? and can you see small globules of water on the yellow ? Also put your finger inside the rocker cover and wipe the underside to see if there is a build up of the yellow. Don't do this with the engine running

Edited June 29, 2010 by *Glenn*

[MadMurry 0]

Oil only emulsifies with water. How far do you travel to & from work? How much yellow is there? and can you see small globules of water on the yellow ? Also put your finger inside the rocker cover and wipe the underside to see if there is a build up of the yellow. Don't do this with the engine running

Travel about 8kms from house to work - at about 50kmp/h most of the way. I'd say the amount of yellow stuff is little to average - it only seems to be around the cap/top surrounding. Stuck finger inside and scraped along the top - only got a little bit of yellow. I can see globules of water on the yellow.

Quickly dropped into Coombes Johnston BMW in Tauranga about 20 minutes ago and had a guy there have a quick look - he stuck his finger in the oil, smudged the stuff between his fingers, said that he's not too worried about the water (something about the model?) but more concerned about the colour of the yellow stuff. Asked me if different types of oils went in, said I had only put Penrite 10w40 in. He recommended an oil change.

What's the verdict??

[*Glenn* 854]

Give me a call Adrian