Low Oil Pressure Warning After Oil Change

[M4Ops]

Took my car in for an oil change this afternoon and shortly after leaving I got a low oil pressure warning after driving for about 20 minutes. It turn off the car and pulled the codes. After turning it back on the warning went away. Took it to the shop that changed the oil and it came back on. The following codes are what I'm seeing when looking at them in BootMod3

The shop hasn't had a chance to diagnose yet but speculates either carbon build up or bad oil pressure sensor. Car is sitting at 135,000 on the odometer. Any feedback or recommendations are much appreciated.

[mapster37]

First verify they used the correct oil filter and that it was installed properly. Very coincidental that u got the warning after they performed the oil change. If all checks out ok hook up a mechanical gauge and compare oil pressure readings to dme status requests.

[M4Ops]

I started getting some vibration after letting it sit for a minute. I opted to leave it with them and they said they will diagnose it tomorrow but they are talking about dropping the oil pan to see if it's carbon build up or if it's an oil pressure sensor issue. They said BMWs are notorious for carbon build up. Not sure how true that is or not. I'm just hoping it's a $300 fix and not a thousands of $$$ fix.

[mapster37]

I dont see the correlation between carbon build up and oil pressure warning. That would be a red flag for me

[Groganrocket]

Originally Posted by mapster37

I dont see the correlation between carbon build up and oil pressure warning. That would be a red flag for me

+1

[JAI///M3]

Something ain't right here. Drop the pan? I would be inclined to drain the oil and put known correct oil in and give a a new genuine oil filter and see what happens. They DID put a filter in it, right?

[M4Ops]

Originally Posted by JAI///M3

Something ain't right here. Drop the pan? I would be inclined to drain the oil and put known correct oil in and give a a new genuine oil filter and see what happens. They DID put a filter in it, right?

When I went back they drained the oil out and put a slightly heavier oil in. I've never previously had issues with this shop changing my oil. This is the first time they changed it and 20 minutes later I'm getting low pressure oil warnings and the DME throwing codes.

[IVM3]

Removing the oil pan is over a thousand dollars in labor at most places. I wouldn't have them do any work. Other than possibly another oil change with new oil and a new oil filter. It seems very coincidental that this happened right after the oil change.

[JAI///M3]

Yeah seems a bit excessive for a first step of troubleshooting, especially if there were no issues prior to the initial oil change. Since there are additional symptoms, I would lean toward the sensor being ok and there is genuinely an oil pressure issue. Maybe check the oil filter for contamination or metal first. It sounds like this is a trusted shop so is it safe to assume they're putting enough oil in? Definitely would avoid running the engine to prevent any damage.

[Kilabyte]

Sounds like you need a new shop.

[AlmondJayRoM3]

Originally Posted by M4Ops

I started getting some vibration after letting it sit for a minute. I opted to leave it with them and they said they will diagnose it tomorrow but they are talking about dropping the oil pan to see if it's carbon build up or if it's an oil pressure sensor issue. They said BMWs are notorious for carbon build up. Not sure how true that is or not. I'm just hoping it's a $300 fix and not a thousands of $$$ fix.

Never a good idea to let the car keep running with a low oil pressure light and based on the engine oil pressure and vanos codes, you definitely had a low flow condition. As to the reason, the simplest explanation would be that someone messed up the oil change. First verify sufficient oil level. Next verify correct oil filter installation. Missing or broken birdcage/tube can cause your error codes.

Could carbon build up cause this? Possibly but not likely. Carbon would need to get dislodged and find its way past the oil filter, clogging oil passages.

Hopefully no significant damage was done. If this happened to me and they told me that carbon bs, I would not have let them touch the car further and have the car towed to another shop for a proper diagnosis.

[M4Ops]

Originally Posted by AlmondJayRoM3

Never a good idea to let the car keep running with a low oil pressure light and based on the engine oil pressure and vanos codes, you definitely had a low flow condition. As to the reason, the simplest explanation would be that someone messed up the oil change. First verify sufficient oil level. Next verify correct oil filter installation. Missing or broken birdcage/tube can cause your error codes.

Could carbon build up cause this? Possibly but not likely. Carbon would need to get dislodged and find its way past the oil filter, clogging oil passages.

Hopefully no significant damage was done. If this happened to me and they told me that carbon bs, I would not have let them touch the car further and have the car towed to another shop for a proper diagnosis.

I'm beginning to wonder if they forgot to insert that internal part inside of the new filter. Seems multiple people who have reported low pressure issues after an oil change traced it back to the shop not installing the filter properly. I'm hoping it's not anything overly major and not a new oil pump replacement on deck

[JAI///M3]

This

[M4Ops]

Originally Posted by JAI///M3

This

Update: they replaced the oil pressure sensor and said the low pressure warning still persists. They don't want to go any further and recommend it goes to a bmw service center

[JAI///M3]

Doesn't sound like they've checked the oil filter…?

Probably best to get it out of that shop.

[M4Ops]

Originally Posted by JAI///M3

Doesn't sound like they've checked the oil filter…?

Probably best to get it out of that shop.

I asked about the oil filter and they stated they checked it. I'm not sure how much I believe it at this point. I'm going to have it moved to my house and check the filter myself. If it checks out and doesn't turn out to be the culprit then I'll have it taken to a different shop. At this point They've changed the oil twice now, no visible leaks under the hood or under the car. They said it would be $1,500 for them to drop the oil pan go investigate from that perspective; but then they also said it may be time for a new engine because "BMWs are known for total engine failure and replacement over 130,000 miles"

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by M4Ops

I asked about the oil filter and they stated they checked it. I'm not sure how much I believe it at this point. I'm going to have it moved to my house and check the filter myself. If it checks out and doesn't turn out to be the culprit then I'll have it taken to a different shop. At this point They've changed the oil twice now, no visible leaks under the hood or under the car. They said it would be $1,500 for them to drop the oil pan go investigate from that perspective; but then they also said it may be time for a new engine because "BMWs are known for total engine failure and replacement over 130,000 miles"

Earlier I said that it might be time for a new shop, now I'm certain.

[M4Ops]

Originally Posted by Kilabyte

Earlier I said that it might be time for a new shop, now I'm certain.

Agreed. Let's hope it doesn't amount to a new engine. I'm not exactly looking to shell out $10k+ for an engine. Definitely hoping for something simple in terms of a fix.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by M4Ops

I started getting some vibration after letting it sit for a minute.

What the hell did they do to your car? I'm extremely sorry to hear all this, it's like the stuff of nightmares as they could have screwed up your engine and will now be denying everything. What kind of shop did you get the oil changed at, hopefully it wasn't one of those Jiffy smooth brain places? The things they are telling you are absolutely ridiculous.

Best of luck, sounds like a bad situation.

[M4Ops]

Originally Posted by NickyC

What the hell did they do to your car? I'm extremely sorry to hear all this, it's like the stuff of nightmares as they could have screwed up your engine and will now be denying everything. What kind of shop did you get the oil changed at, hopefully it wasn't one of those Jiffy smooth brain places? The things they are telling you are absolutely ridiculous.

Best of luck, sounds like a bad situation.

I had been taking it to a shop that does routine care and in all this time never had an issue with them after an oil change. Then voila, 20 minutes after leaving their shop, low oil pressure warnings

[TopJimmy]

- How many miles on your car?
- What oil type and weight did they use?
- What filter was used?

All should be listed on your bill.

[M4Ops]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

- How many miles on your car?
- What oil type and weight did they use?
- What filter was used?

All should be listed on your bill.

Valvoline advanced synthetic 0W-40 7 quarts
Valvoline VO91 oil filter

135258 miles