oil dip stick

Post Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:37 pm

ok... just went outside to check oil levels... and somethin really wierd is going on... my oil dipstick is showing that there is no oil what so ever in my 318is... which is strange coz i only just topped up about 5 litres about 2months ago.. and i dont do excessive mileage... so i took my brothers dipper... which is from a 325i sport... which is longer and that shows the oil is full. im not sure weather the dipper on my IS has been changed and is the wrong length... does anyone know the exact measurement? also is it possible for someone to have raised or changed the adjustmen of the little pipe that the dipper goes into so that my dipper no longer reaches the right height? Its just really confusin me... any help is much appreciated.

Post Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:54 pm

Not sure if that engine is the same as the 325 but in the 325 you can just pull the tube for the dipstick out and push it back in as I had to swap them over to my new bottom end.
Maybe its been taken out at some point and not put back in fully?

Post Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:22 pm

yeah its deff been takin out and messed with... but im nto sure what the guy did... i didnt know the dip sticks for the 325i and 18is were different in length... just makin sure i aint got a shorter one. thanks for the help though.

Post Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:30 pm

ok first of all the m40 engine take 4 litres of oil not 5. do an oil change fill it with the correct amount of oil and check it. then you will know if your dipstick isnt right.

Post Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:00 pm

yeah i think thats the best idea now... i think the 318is has the m42 engine doesnt it? cant remember if its 5 or 4 litres... cheers for the help.

Post Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:40 pm

318is uses M42 engine, and yep it takes 5 litres.