my bmw had lost 3 1/2 quarts of oil and was ticking loudly

Asked by julied42 Sep 07, 2018 at 08:35 PM about the 2004 BMW 3 Series 330i Sedan RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hi, I brought my 2004 330i into the shop today as it was ticking loudly.  The
check engine light had been on for three months.  I had it checked before I
left CA for MN and the codes were PO171 an dPO 174. The mechanic
cleaned but did not change the air sensor so the Check Engine Light
remained on. Yesterday, there was a loud ticking, and the lower gears were
dragging as if there were a strong wind when it was a calm day.  When I
brought it in for a diagnostic, the engine was missing 3 1/2 quarts of oil.
Once we topped off the oil, and I drove off, the ticking stopped.  In the past,
the oil light always came on when it was a quart low, and I would top it off.  
Thoughts?  Thanks in advance!

2 Answers

F_O_R answered 5 years ago

Check your oil every week. Maybe more often and carry a quart with you.

1 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

julied42 answered 5 years ago

Thanks both. I will load up on the oil and check it regularly. And the sensor is due to be replaced this week. The thing that was interesting about the oil light not coming on was that it had come on every time I needed oil in the past as noted above. This is the real mystery. The mechanic I worked with told me that if it were that low, the light would come on and stay on. But it did not come on at all. I am wondering why the light did not ignite. Any clues?

Mark helpful

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