Bmw 116i Intermittent Oil Light

[Dealer 54]

Got a 2009 with just 70k that throws the oil light (red) on now and again. Dropped oil and filter but not done any good. No codes stored either. Stumped so far but hoping someone here may be able to help. 

[EPV 631]

Blocked strainer possibly. 

Also you say no codes but what have you scanned it with? There is a code that relates to the NOX Sensor that inexplicably puts the oil pressure light on. You can try a forced regen by driving the car over 60mph for 30 mins (I think) which can sometimes help. 

Its a common problem on these engines. They’re crap, frankly but they sell well! 

Drop the sump and look in the strainer would be the first thing to do i’d say. Does it put the light on under certain driving conditions? Under a load, high speeds, idling? 

[Dealer 54]

Thanks James, doesn't appear to be a pattern i.e hard driving etc, will get sump off tomorrow first. 

[EPV 631]

I don’t want to sound like i’m taking the piss but have you used the correct oil? I’ve had this exact problem 3 times and twice putting the right oil in solved the problem. The other time it was the pick up blocked (from memory)

If it IS the strainer blocked with mashed up plastic timing chain guides then be prepared to change the guides as well or else this one may come back to bite you. What’s the mileage?

Just now, EPV said:

I don’t want to sound like i’m taking the piss but have you used the correct oil? I’ve had this exact problem 3 times and twice putting the right oil in solved the problem. The other time it was the pick up blocked (from memory)

If it IS the strainer blocked with mashed up plastic timing chain guides then be prepared to change the guides as well or else this one may come back to bite you. What’s the mileage?

Ignore that just seen the 70k. 

[Dealer 54]

Definitely correct grade oil, I'll be looking for pieces in the strainer don't worry. Between this and a snapped chain on a 118d last month I'm going to give them a wide berth in future 

[EPV 631]

Yeah personally I don’t stock the diesel version of these 4cyl engines but i’ll take the petrols all day long. They have their problems but find me an engine that doesn’t. The risk vs reward is in my favour on the petrols. 

[CPM 0]

6 hours ago, EPV said:

Blocked strainer possibly. 

Also you say no codes but what have you scanned it with? There is a code that relates to the NOX Sensor that inexplicably puts the oil pressure light on. You can try a forced regen by driving the car over 60mph for 30 mins (I think) which can sometimes help. 

Its a common problem on these engines. They’re crap, frankly but they sell well! 

Drop the sump and look in the strainer would be the first thing to do i’d say. Does it put the light on under certain driving conditions? Under a load, high speeds, idling? 

Forced regen on a petrol engine? I don’t think so.... all bmw N engines are terrible and asking for trouble 

[EPV 631]

49 minutes ago, CPM said:

Forced regen on a petrol engine? I don’t think so.... all bmw N engines are terrible and asking for trouble 

Words to that effect mate. I realise it’s not a regen in the true sense of the word. 

[lastyboy 23]

2 hours ago, EPV said:

Words to that effect mate. I realise it’s not a regen in the true sense of the word. 

The petrol NOX sensor does have a regeneration of sorts. And upcoming petrols will have particulate filters as well.

[Stalker 180]

3 hours ago, CPM said:

Forced regen on a petrol engine? I don’t think so.... all bmw N engines are terrible and asking for trouble 

 

10 minutes ago, lastyboy said:

The petrol NOX sensor does have a regeneration of sorts. And upcoming petrols will have particulate filters as well.

They have a sulphur filter, and they do need regenerated from time to time. From memory this can only be done whilst driving. 

[EPV 631]

6 minutes ago, Stalker said:

 

They have a sulphur filter, and they do need regenerated from time to time. From memory this can only be done whilst driving. 

Indeed, something like 60mph + for 30 mins.

[Nick M.K. 574]

The code for that is "De NoX Catalytic converter sulphurized"

You need at least 30 mins driving at minimum 50 mph and at least 1/2 tank of petrol. People drive the cars on fumes and in the city all the time so that catalyst never gets a chance to clean itself. the at least 1/2 full tank of petrol part is important, the cat will not self-regen if the tank sender unit shows less than half-full.  

[Tony Gurden 0]

hi all got a 10 plate 116 with same problem.  Have changed oil and pressure switch new oil filter but still does it after an hour off driving. If you pull over and turn off will do another hour or so or just not do it. Has anybody found a solution don't want to give it to BMW to solve will cost a fortune.

 

[Huggy1969 0]

yes I brought a 116i 2009 from a one man used car place.I was only using the car for short journeys eg 2 miles then park up leave to shop and return back home the 2 miles.As soon as I drove for approx 40 mins (did roughly 13 miles in and out of traffic)this red oil warning light came on so as was at home luckily,turned off engine as was concerned about damage!

I left the car to next morning started it and light did not come on.So took it to shops and no light but yet again as soon as I did the longer journey again the red warning light came on so had to stop the car.I let the engine get cold and started it up and the red warning light did not appear.Took it to bmw.They ran diagnostic tests and told me "found fault code for oil pressure control for oil pressure control....requires further investigation" bmw said it would take 3 hours maybe.No way am I paying.I want to return car.wrote him a registered letter prior to the 30 days of me purchasing car from him.

Any ideas re: why ired warning light shows when I do the longer journey but not on short trips.

I am no mechanic but I understand heat and pressure.

I need to find out as the man who sold me the car is saying it wasnt there when I took car.

Any help would be much appreciated as I just want to get my money back from this sext.

Thanks

 

 

[Mojo121 229]

52 minutes ago, Huggy1969 said:

yes I brought a 116i 2009 from a one man used car place.I was only using the car for short journeys eg 2 miles then park up leave to shop and return back home the 2 miles.As soon as I drove for approx 40 mins (did roughly 13 miles in and out of traffic)this red oil warning light came on so as was at home luckily,turned off engine as was concerned about damage!

I left the car to next morning started it and light did not come on.So took it to shops and no light but yet again as soon as I did the longer journey again the red warning light came on so had to stop the car.I let the engine get cold and started it up and the red warning light did not appear.Took it to bmw.They ran diagnostic tests and told me "found fault code for oil pressure control for oil pressure control....requires further investigation" bmw said it would take 3 hours maybe.No way am I paying.I want to return car.wrote him a registered letter prior to the 30 days of me purchasing car from him.

Any ideas re: why ired warning light shows when I do the longer journey but not on short trips.

I am no mechanic but I understand heat and pressure.

I need to find out as the man who sold me the car is saying it wasnt there when I took car.

Any help would be much appreciated as I just want to get my money back from this sext.

Thanks

 

 

If he’s fobbing you off and I think I know the type of place you bought it from you might aswell get on with fixing it, save the letters and post costs and chalk it up to experience

oil pressure sensors are common on these cars but don’t pay BMW rates

[Huggy1969 0]

thank you

[Casper 272]

2 hours ago, Huggy1969 said:

thank you

Find a reliable bmw specialist in your area with good reviews or better still someone on here may be able to recommend one  nice to see a polite member of the public on here thats appreciates advise  .. 

[Stalker 180]

14 hours ago, Huggy1969 said:

yes I brought a 116i 2009 from a one man used car place.I was only using the car for short journeys eg 2 miles then park up leave to shop and return back home the 2 miles.As soon as I drove for approx 40 mins (did roughly 13 miles in and out of traffic)this red oil warning light came on so as was at home luckily,turned off engine as was concerned about damage!

I left the car to next morning started it and light did not come on.So took it to shops and no light but yet again as soon as I did the longer journey again the red warning light came on so had to stop the car.I let the engine get cold and started it up and the red warning light did not appear.Took it to bmw.They ran diagnostic tests and told me "found fault code for oil pressure control for oil pressure control....requires further investigation" bmw said it would take 3 hours maybe.No way am I paying.I want to return car.wrote him a registered letter prior to the 30 days of me purchasing car from him.

Any ideas re: why ired warning light shows when I do the longer journey but not on short trips.

I am no mechanic but I understand heat and pressure.

I need to find out as the man who sold me the car is saying it wasnt there when I took car.

Any help would be much appreciated as I just want to get my money back from this sext.

Thanks

 

 

The timing chain will have too much slack in it. This in turn wears out/smashes the plastic guides... the little pieces of plastic then block the oil strainer.... which then puts the red light on the dashboard. 
 

seemingly some people can get them done at bmw under a brake recall? Might be worth phoning bmw back?

cost wise it’s probably a £400 - £600 job. 
 

where are you located? 

[Huggy1969 0]

Thanks for the advice.Snows BMW is the main one around here.After BMW ran the test they had put together a bill to replace things.Then wanted to know when I was coming in for these to be fixed!Crazy price and that was not including the cost of investigating the oil warning light.I am first going to see what happens with the car dealer.I purchased the car on 26th november.He has said he will fix it but he has said allot of things ie there is nothing wrong with the car.I already had to return it twice.He apperently will re-open monday.I thank you all for the advise.