Ingredients for an hour in the garage

[billschusteriv]

1. One wrench turner (ZHP Mafia dome cover optional).... :headbang

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG00210-20110219-1413.jpg

2. The appropriate parts, fluids, and shop supplies (plus your favorite absorbent materials)....

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG00221-20110220-1703.jpg

3. The right tools for the job....

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG00223-20110220-1756.jpg

Err.... that was on top of the right tool for this job... (that's my 18" breaker bar...and 18" extension in case an overzealous inspection mechanic overtorques my lug nuts) :biggrin

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG00222-20110220-1753.jpg

1/2" drive deflecting beam torque wrench... plus 1/2" drive 32mm socket for the oil filter housing. I also did not take a picture of the 3/8" drive racheting socket wrench and associated 3/8" drive 17mm socket.


Commentary:

My apologies for the cellphone pics... mobile photobucket and auto upload on my BB makes life a lot easier.

No ZHP Mafia beenies were harmed during the hour in the garage... (I removed and rolled around the floor with a baseball hat).

When I drained the oil, I took a sample and plan on sending to Blackstone tomorrow (hopefully) or Tuesday.

I switched from BMW synthetic 5W-30 because I did not plan ahead appropriately and only had 4 quarts left in the garage. :facepalm So (remembering Dane's discussion on approved oils (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?737-Oil-Analysis-Anyone-do-them&p=12979#post12979)) I headed out to Wal-mart and picked up the only thing they had - Valvoline SynPower 5W-30. No Mobil 1 0W-40. No Pennzoil Platinum Ultra blah blah. No Castrol European Formula.

I plan on taking another sample in 7500 miles and seeing if/how the results change with the SynPower.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Great write up. Thanks for doing it.

[danewilson77]

Hey.....just so you know....and I hate to even bring it up now...but there is some debate on whether or not the BMW site is in error.
Look at the back and make sure you see BMW LL-01, and the appropriate ACEA spec. Regardless...I think your ok....and I never really thought much of the post...because I always just hit up NAPA or Advance for the Mobil I. Lemme know what you find out.

Sleep well.....lol

Oh yeah...great writeup too.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Sleep well.....lol

:helicopter

[billschusteriv]

Hey.....just so you know....and I hate to even bring it up now...but there is some debate on whether or not the BMW site is in error.
Look at the back and make sure you see BMW LL-01, and the appropriate ACEA spec. Regardless...I think your ok....and I never really thought much of the post...because I always just hit up NAPA or Advance for the Mobil I. Lemme know what you find out.

Sleep well.....lol

Oh yeah...great writeup too.

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Thanks for the followup. Not too late. I plan on switching back to BMW synthetic after this oil change - if there is a discrepancy, one oil change should make too much of a difference. (I hope)

This is what I found on BMW's website:

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:

•Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
•Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
•Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
•Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

This is what I got from Valvoline's website:

SAE 5W-30: Is the most recommended grade in today's new cars. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturers' warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where an API SM, SL, or CF oil is recommended. SynPower 5W-30 exceeds the requirements of ILSAC GF-3 and GF-4 for API Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving Standards and ACEA A1/A5.

But then, I found this... http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/SynPower.pdf. Valvoline SynPower MST? Apparently not just for diesels. Carries an official LL-04 rating... and an unofficial LL-01 rating.

The information the BMW, Valvoline, and distributors websites is so inconsistent. Grr. I can't even begin to try to make sense of it all. It is time to sleep on it.

[danewilson77]

I think that's the part that doesn't fit. I think it needs to meet ACEA A3/B5.....?

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[danewilson77]

When I was checking this out...I took a pic and posed the question. Here is the back of the Valvoline jug...

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101025_174845.jpg

And here is the front of the synpower. I am assuming this what you used?

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101025_174824.jpg

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[billschusteriv]

That's the stuff. :facepalm

[az3579]

Guys,
Honestly, does it really even matter? As long as you keep the engine lubed, the brand doesn't matter that much unless it's for a special application of some sort. Relaaaaaaax!

[kayger12]

Guys,
Honestly, does it really even matter? As long as you keep the engine lubed, the brand doesn't matter that much unless it's for a special application of some sort. Relaaaaaaax!

I don't think anybody is really concerned with the brand, but instead with the spec and quality rating- which BMW recommends for a reason...

[pyreguy]

Great writeup! Regardless of the oil used. I can tell you had fun doing it.

[danewilson77]

I think its ok......and I feel in my heart if we all ran with this oil...we probably wouldn't notice a difference. With that said though......we know how finicky these cars are.....we know it doesn't meet the spec.....and I guess more than anything.....it would just bug me. I believe you are ok Bill. I would just swap back at your next oil change......in 50 miles....lol. J/k

Just dhu eeeeeeeeet at your next interval.

[kayger12]

I feel the same way, DW. I think some of the 01 spec is to meet that crazy 15,000 mile interval-- which none of us pushes anyway...

[danewilson77]

Good info in post 12. Don't know how true it is...but it makes sense.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1608550&highlight=oil

[az3579]

Good info in post 12. Don't know how true it is...but it makes sense.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1608550&highlight=oil


So you don't have to scroll, here is post 12:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=21405839&postcount=12

[danewilson77]

So you don't even have to go to a link...

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/POST.png

[pyreguy]

Haha nice DW


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[az3579]

So you don't have to strain your eyes reading a small screenshot... :biggrin



US castrol edge is not approved for BMWs. The only Castrol oil that is approved in the US is the Castrol Syntec 0w-30 (if you have the M52TU, you can also run 5w-40). Several analyses have indicated that the 0w-30 stuff outperforms the other LL-01 oils, even mobil1 0w-40 (which shears down to a 30 weight fairly rapidly). I've also read that the Syntec 0w-30 is the same as the edge 0w-30 sold in Europe, and that it's the factory fill oil in BMWs today.

FWIW, when I had a non-M, I exclusively ran the 0w-30 stuff and couldn't be happier. My engine literally ran smoother and quieter than it did on what I assume was the dealer stuff before I switched over. I now run the 10w-60 stuff since I've got an M3, and it too is a fantastic oil. (From what I hear, both oils actually have similar roots)

[danewilson77]

Touche'

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[pyreguy]

:chainsaw:spit

[billschusteriv]

Guys,
Honestly, does it really even matter? As long as you keep the engine lubed, the brand doesn't matter that much unless it's for a special application of some sort. Relaaaaaaax!

In the grand scheme of things, it may not make a difference. But If I'm going to spend the money on synthetic oil for the car, I'd like to find the stuff that meets the spec.

The frustrating things are the inconsistencies between the websites (BMWUSA and Valvoline) and the back of the oil containers. Not to mention the lack of availability of the oil for me - locally.

Not to mention my day job involves quality assuarance. So I'm a bit anal about these types of things.

But you are right. I should relax. :biggrin

[danewilson77]

In the grand scheme of things, it may not make a difference. But If I'm going to spend the money on synthetic oil for the car, I'd like to find the stuff that meets the spec.

The frustrating things are the inconsistencies between the websites (BMWUSA and Valvoline) and the back of the oil containers. Not to mention the lack of availability of the oil for me - locally.

Not to mention my day job involves quality assuarance. So I'm a bit anal about these types of things.

But you are right. I should relax. :biggrin

Interesting stuff Bill. I am the Quality Assurance Officer down here in Norfolk for Submarines. Small world.

[billschusteriv]

So I've decided my next oil change will be in 6400 miles - my next Oil Service interval as of today. This will get me back to the correct interval with the other associated maintenance items when the next inspection I rolls around. Anyone confused as the mileage doesn't seem to add up? Okay here goes the run down:

15,000 miles - Swap Engine, reset service indicator, change oil, oil/air/cabin filters.
14,500 miles - Oil/Filter change following swap.
6,600 miles - Oil/Filter change (~7,800+ miles on change due to carpool schedule)
6,400 miles - Reading tonight on service indicator after arriving home.
0 miles - Oil/Filter change.

Considering I used what I (and others) believe to be the "wrong" oil, I will be using BMW Synthetic 5w-30 for my next change and sending another sample to Blackstone for analysis.


Interesting stuff Bill. I am the Quality Assurance Officer down here in Norfolk for Submarines. Small world.

This is a small world. Its amazing how things come about - and how interconnected our paths seem to be and have been.

[mikeyb74]

I've been using the Lubro Moly 5w30 Longtime High Tech Synthetic which meets API SM/CF, ACEA A3-04/B4-04-C3-04, BMW Longlife-04.

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/images/originals/2039_1.jpg

[danewilson77]

How much did you pay for the jug?

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[mikeyb74]

$34.95 for a 5L and $8.95 for a 1L.

[danewilson77]

$18 + $35 = $53+shipping? Thats not bad. I think as I get higher up in miles....I may move to a 5 weight. Maybe even this next oil change....

[danewilson77]

I still don't understand why it says....what it says in the owners manual regarding Xi fluid capacity...

Engine oil and filter change quarts/liters 320i, 325i, 330i:
approx. 6.9/6.5
325xi, 330xi:
approx. 6.6/6.2
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications, refer to page

[billschusteriv]

I still don't understand why it says....what it says in the owners manual regarding Xi fluid capacity...

Engine oil and filter change quarts/liters 320i, 325i, 330i:
approx. 6.9/6.5
325xi, 330xi:
approx. 6.6/6.2
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications, refer to page

From a PDF I have entitled: "E46 Models" (looks like a basic tech familiarization course/guide)

Changes from the standard drive version are:
...
• Modified oil pan and engine mounts to provide access for the front axles.
...


Differential and Front Axles
The differential for the front axle is bolted to left side of the engine oil pan. The differential
is driven by a 40mm single piece drive shaft. The drive shaft has universal joints at both ends.


From the http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/bmw/3manuals, I selected the 2002 325i / 330i Owners Manual (Wagon) (http://www.linquist.net/system/files/E462002iT.pdf). From page 143:

Engine oil and filter change

325i: quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5)
325xi: quarts (liters) approx. 7.9 (approx. 7.5)


But I am with you - I don't understand either. I haven't gotten more than 7 quarts in without being right at the MAX fill line on my oil dipstick.

[danewilson77]

Great info Bill. Still just weird to me. Seems like there's a typo somewhere....