BMW E36 Forum

Hello,

I noticed about 10,000 km ago(last month) the engine oil level was getting very low, very quickly, in fact I had to refill about one liter every 800-1000 km. I've been using the Castrol Magnatec 10w40 for the past 30,000 km and the Shell Helix Ultra ( 15w50 or something like that) before that.

I switched recently to a cheap oil - ZIC 20w50, because, frankly I can't afford to refill the Shell or the Magnatec every second day or so( the car is doing 500-550 km daily, 6 days per week).

I've tried at the local workshops of course, and got to change the cover gasket(showing a certain leak) but that didn't solve the problem at all. I feel that the mechanics at those workshops keep guessing just as I do but, I can't afford to replace whatever they feel it's wrong next just to end up narrowing the possibilities. One of them suggested that I should replace an external valve, whilst the second one said the engine must be opened and the rings( probably the cylinders rings) must be replaced.

Both these procedures are pretty costly with the local workshops and I would like another opinion before I proceed. Thank you in advance. Regards, John

Hi,
The 328 was fitted with Nikasil plated bores, unlike the 325 etc. This was supposed to be better for wear & friction etc but low grade UK fuel erroded the plating due to high sulphur content. If the car has been run on quality fuel this shouldn't be an issue but if it's been run on cheap unbranded (some people believe supermarket) fuel for a sustained period your bores could be ruined. Some 328's had the liners replaced under warranty with conventional liners-there is a way of checking what you have by looking at the block near the starter motor but I will have remember how.. Have you had a compression test?