- 03/11/2021
- 5 Min Read
- By: Christian Schaefer
How To Perform A BMW F30 Oil Change (BMW N20 Engine)
Twenty years ago, BMWs, especially the high performance, had a penchant for eating the connecting rod and main bearings. The N20 engine available in the BMW F30 features newer technology for more performance and better efficiency over the old engines, but quietly, still have issues with bottom-end bearings. Though, any engine eventually will with poorly maintained oil. The best way to prevent any catastrophic bearing failure is to ensure that your oil is the proper specification and is replaced on time.
Changing your oil can be an essential step in learning how to service your vehicle. Oil changes are some of the most straightforward jobs you can do at home and make you more conscious of the importance of looking after your car. When doing the oil change yourself, check with us to ensure that you are using the proper oil.
BMW Models and years applicable:
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Effects of unchanged oil on a BMW F30:
- Sludge Buildup in the engine
- Reduced protection against friction
- Reduced efficiency
An engine's oil is critical in several different aspects. Chiefly is the oil's use as lubrication. The oil's job is to keep everything inside the engine lubricated and happy. As the oil is used, its lubricating properties fade, leading to increased wear on the engine components. The new synthetic oils that companies like BMW use can last up to 10,000 miles, over triple that of conventional oil.
If you don't change the engine oil at its proper interval of around 7,500 miles, it will break down too far. The oil will separate and solidify into a black sludge, gumming up oil passageways and reducing its effectiveness. With enough sludge, the engine will have to work harder, too. That'll also increase the wear and reduce the efficiency of the engine.
How much will it cost to change the oil in a BMW F30 3-Series?
The oil change kit for the F30 BMW we used in this video will cost you right around $45. The kit includes a new filter, a new drain plug, new o-rings for the filter cap, and a 5-liter jug of Liqui Moli oil. The kit linked below isn't the only kit available, however. We offer several kits for the F30, with the difference coming in the choice of oil included. The price will vary based on the oil.
If you plan on completing regular oil changes on your BMW yourself, we recommend buying the proper socket to remove the oil filter cap. The socket will run you around $7, and it will work on many BMWs. You can use other tools to remove the oil filter cap, but you run the risk of damaging it.
How long will it take to change the oil on a BMW F30 3-Series?
With the proper oil filter cap socket, draining and filling the engine with oil shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes. The longest part of the job will be getting the oil to operating temperature to check the level after you've filled the engine. That'll take another 10 to 15 minutes on its own.
Parts required to change the oil on a BMW F30 3-Series:
Tools required to change the oil on a BMW F30 3-Series:
Steps required to change the oil on a BMW F30 3-Series:
Step 1: Drain the oil
Jack up the front of the car and place it onto jack stands. Then, slide yourself under the engine and locate the access panel on the splash shield.
Use a pick to open the access panel and reveal the oil pan's drain plug. Take your drain pan and place it under the drain plug. Then, use a 10mm hex wrench to remove the drain plug.
While the oil drains, head into the engine bay and remove the oil filler cap to eliminate any vacuum in the engine and allow all of the oil to drain.
Step 2: Replace the oil filter
The oil filter housing sits at the front of the right side of the engine cover. Using the oil filter socket, remove the oil filter cap and throw away the old filter.
Have a rag handy when you pull the old filter out of the engine bay. The excess oil in the filter will drip out everywhere. Then, pull the old filter off of the cap. Spray the cap with parts cleaner and wipe it down with a rag to get off as much of the old oil as you can.
The cap uses two o-rings for sealing. Use your pick to remove the small green o-ring from the cap's end and the large black o-ring above the cap's threads.
Replace the o-rings with the new ones supplied in the oil change kit and then coat them in some of the remaining excess oil. After that, press the filter into the cap until it audibly locks into place.
Thread the cap back into the housing once you install the new o-rings and filter. Use the oil filter cap socket to tighten the cap to 25Nm. As long as you make the cap snug, you don't need to worry about hitting the exact torque spec.
Step 3: Fill the engine with oil
Before you pour any oil in, you need to refit the drain plug. Head back under the car and thread in the new drain plug supplied in the oil change kit. Thread it in by hand, so you don't damage the plastic threads. Then, snug it up with a 10mm hex wrench. The plug specifies a max torque figure of 8Nm, so you'll need to put hardly any force into tightening it.
Pull the drain plug out from under the car and close up the access panel. At this point, you can lift the car to remove the jack stands and place the car back on the ground. Take your 5-liter jug of oil and pour in 4.5-liters of the good stuff. Then, refit the cap and start the vehicle.
Listen for any loud metallic noises on the engine start. You're in good shape if none are present or louder than they were before. After that, drive the car around the block a few times to bring the engine oil up to temperature.
After driving the car around, go into the iDrive system and check the oil level. At the main menu, scroll down and select "Vehicle Info." Then, select "Vehicle Status."
In the "Vehicle Status" menu, select the fourth option to have the car check its oil level. Select that option and then follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
Your BMW will take a few seconds while it reads the level before telling you. Based on the results, add or remove oil as necessary to get the level to sit at maximum capacity.
With an engine full of fresh oil and a new filter keeping it clean, your BMW is ready for another several thousand miles of carefree driving. If you're interested in more DIYs for your BMW, you can visit bmw.fcpeuro.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
