Oil consumption + coolant warning light problem

[Craig_C]

Just had to top my 320 up with oil. The low level warning came on well before the min mark on the dipstick, so I left it for a little while and now have put 1L in to bring it back up pretty much on the max. I'm using 10/40 semi synth oil and I've topped it up twice in around 4k miles! Just wondering if these engines are known to use a bit of oil in general or if mines showing signs of piston ring/bore wear? Good excuse to upgrade to 325 power if it's starting to wear

Also, my coolant low light came on. I topped up the coolant (only with water tho) and the light still comes on saying the level's low. I disconnected the wiring and re-connected it and the light stayed off for 1 outing, but then it came straight back on again! Dodgy sensor?

Any help appreciated

[mrLEE30]

firstly the light does come on early, and as all old engines they use a bit of oil and 1 litre top up after 4000 miles does not sound so bad, especially as you may not have fully filled the first time. if the rate of oil use stays constant then dont worry, if it increases then maybe check for leaks (i have yet to see an M20 that does not leak from somewhere - if it does not leak it has no oil in it!) and then inspect the bores later.

the coolant light is activated by a sensor which you have found, they have been known to fail. what did you coolant level do when the sensor came on the second time?? was it low?? note the light only resets it self when you turn off the ingition, so if the light is always on with the level OK then replace the sensor, if the level is a little low then cornering can temporarily lower the level and trigger the sensor, in this case the light will stay on until you turn off and on the car. further is the level came loow enough to allow air into the system it could be time to bleed the cooling system.

[Craig_C]

Thanks for the reply. I've topped it up twice with around a litre each time in 4k miles, but it's early days as I've only had the car a couple of months. I'll keep an eye on it and see how it goes once I've serviced it. Then I'll know what oil's in there etc

Coolant was low the 2nd time and I topped it up. I know the lights reset every time you turn the ignition off and back on, and also understand that the fluid's going to slop about when cornering and could set it off. I've had that with the washer fluid sensor - if I go hard round a roundabout it'll set that one off! I took the coolant sensor out and cleaned it up a bit but I think it's faulty as the light's always on even though the coolant level is fine now.

[Craig_C]

Actually, I confused myself there, 2nd time around the coolant level wasn't low - the light just decided to come on even though the level was fine. Definitely dodgy sensor methinks...