Explain it Like I'm 5y: N63tu Oil Consumption

spielnicht · 12-22-2021, 01:45 PM

Long time car fanatic and hobby mechanic, but only recently [really] started learning about engines. Sadly, I owe that to a MB M274 engine that spun a rod and put a nice hole in the block (FML). At least it got me learning and watching hundreds of tear down videos.

Fast forward 3 months, I know all I should know about engines and most of what goes wrong. The only thing that I still don't really understand is oil consumption on our N63tu engines. I understand the predecessor had valve stem issues that results in oil burning, but BMW supposedly fixed that with the "tu" variant.

So, what exactly is still going on that's causing almost all of us with a n63tu (and I assume it's s63 brother) to continue to lose oil and for BMW to claim that it's normal.

So there, explain it to me like I'm 5 please.

Smithn05 · 12-23-2021, 11:29 AM

I think its all part of the same problem in truth and perpetuated by the 'hot V' design of the engine.

Brilliant for performance (little turbo lag etc) but they whole top of the engine has to deal with so much heat and over time that fatigues and hardens everything.

By the time I get mine out of the garage the top of the engine is roasty toasty so theres little chance for any seals once the turbos start singing

My M6 goes through 1.5 L every 1500 miles, which personally I think is outrageous, however when BMW simply up the maximum design limits (I think its up to 2.5 L per 1000 miles now) when people start complaining there's not a whole lot you can do.

brad850csi · 12-23-2021, 02:14 PM

My M6 doesn’t use oil at all - sure it is an S63 but still the same basic engine.

I’m not sure if it is luck of the draw or how the engine was run in but most owners seem to have had high consumption or low from day 1

3002 tii · 12-23-2021, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Long time car fanatic and hobby mechanic, but only recently [really] started learning about engines. Sadly, I owe that to a MB M274 engine that spun a rod and put a nice hole in the block (FML). At least it got me learning and watching hundreds of tear down videos.

Fast forward 3 months, I know all I should know about engines and most of what goes wrong. The only thing that I still don't really understand is oil consumption on our N63tu engines. I understand the predecessor had valve stem issues that results in oil burning, but BMW supposedly fixed that with the "tu" variant.

So, what exactly is still going on that's causing almost all of us with a n63tu (and I assume it's s63 brother) to continue to lose oil and for BMW to claim that it's normal.

So there, explain it to me like I'm 5 please.

OP how often are you doing oil changes and how much are you topping off in between?

spielnicht · 12-23-2021, 03:21 PM

I religiously change the oil every 6 months regardless of mileage (I've never put more than 9K miles during any given year). I go through 1qt every 1,500 - 2,000 miles. I have zero external oil leaks (had the upper oil pan gasket replaced recently).

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

OP how often are you doing oil changes and how much are you topping off in between?

MightyMouseTech · 12-23-2021, 03:34 PM

Same ol, same ol.

Valve seals and scored cylinder liners.

UPSROD · 12-23-2021, 03:40 PM

Would not have cylinder liners.

patrick1 · 12-23-2021, 06:46 PM

I have never experienced any oil loss in my M cars, including a "17 X5m with the engine you reference. I attribute this to a very aggressive break-in. I also open the hood when I pull in the garage in the evening to dissipate the heat buildup. I change the oil every 6 months regardless of mileage. Just my 2 cents.

12-22-2021, 01:45 PM	#1
spielnicht Petrolhead 512 Rep 844 Posts Drives: 24 IS500 F/24 X3 M40i/08 Z4 si Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [8.58] 2024 BMW X3 M40i [9.50]	Explain it Like I'm 5y: N63tu Oil Consumption Long time car fanatic and hobby mechanic, but only recently [really] started learning about engines. Sadly, I owe that to a MB M274 engine that spun a rod and put a nice hole in the block (FML). At least it got me learning and watching hundreds of tear down videos. Fast forward 3 months, I know all I should know about engines and most of what goes wrong. The only thing that I still don't really understand is oil consumption on our N63tu engines. I understand the predecessor had valve stem issues that results in oil burning, but BMW supposedly fixed that with the "tu" variant. So, what exactly is still going on that's causing almost all of us with a n63tu (and I assume it's s63 brother) to continue to lose oil and for BMW to claim that it's normal. So there, explain it to me like I'm 5 please. __________________ 2024 Lexus IS500 F Sport 2024 X3 M40i 2008 Z4 3.0si 6MT 2014 550i (sold) 2011 Z4 35si (sold)
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12-23-2021, 11:29 AM	#2
Smithn05 New Member 10 Rep 11 Posts Drives: Bmw e93 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Southampton,UK iTrader: (0)	I think its all part of the same problem in truth and perpetuated by the 'hot V' design of the engine. Brilliant for performance (little turbo lag etc) but they whole top of the engine has to deal with so much heat and over time that fatigues and hardens everything. By the time I get mine out of the garage the top of the engine is roasty toasty so theres little chance for any seals once the turbos start singing My M6 goes through 1.5 L every 1500 miles, which personally I think is outrageous, however when BMW simply up the maximum design limits (I think its up to 2.5 L per 1000 miles now) when people start complaining there's not a whole lot you can do.
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12-23-2021, 02:14 PM	#3
brad850csi Colonel 1329 Rep 2,358 Posts Drives: 16 F13 M6 Comp Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Auckland, New Zealand iTrader: (0)	My M6 doesn’t use oil at all - sure it is an S63 but still the same basic engine. I’m not sure if it is luck of the draw or how the engine was run in but most owners seem to have had high consumption or low from day 1
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12-23-2021, 03:34 PM	#6
MightyMouseTech Major General 4344 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Same ol, same ol. Valve seals and scored cylinder liners.
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12-23-2021, 03:40 PM	#7
UPSROD Colonel 1057 Rep 2,062 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Richland, Wa. iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00]	Would not have cylinder liners.
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12-23-2021, 06:46 PM	#8
patrick1 Private 3 Rep 51 Posts Drives: '11 GT3, '17 X5M Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Colorado iTrader: (1)	oil consumption I have never experienced any oil loss in my M cars, including a "17 X5m with the engine you reference. I attribute this to a very aggressive break-in. I also open the hood when I pull in the garage in the evening to dissipate the heat buildup. I change the oil every 6 months regardless of mileage. Just my 2 cents.
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