Low oil pressure?

Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 BMW 320I
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 109,000 MILES
Hello, I just bought this BMW from a private seller. I just replaced the transfer case in it and while out test driving it I got a warning message for low oil pressure. Hopefully this is something easy to address. Are you able to look and see any service bulletins or anything on Low oil pressure with this particular set up?

I’ll attach photos of the codes.
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Monday, June 16th, 2025 AT 5:47 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
There is no TSB's for low oil pressure on this car. Most of the time the oil pump pick up is clogged due to poor maintenance. Can you remove the oil fill cap and look inside using a flashlight to help confirm sludge inside the engine? You might want to try changing the oil and filter and then clear the codes. Please upload pictures or videos in your response of what you find. There is an outside chance the oil pressure sensor that is going bad, here is the location so you can check it out. Check out the images (below).
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Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 AT 7:40 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
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Thank you so much. Where exactly is the oil pressure sensor located? The picture didn’t really show where it was located.
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Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 AT 8:19 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It should be near the oil filter.
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Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 124 POSTS
Hey Ken, I haven’t gotten a chance to look at the BMW yet, but I remember reading on some forums that some BMW owners were having low oil pressure due to low quality timing, chain guides, breaking and then clogging up the intake pump.

In the off chance that that is the case, could I get the diagram of how to pull the oil pan?
Thanks
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Friday, June 20th, 2025 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, you read correctly. It is a good idea to check the oil pump pick up. Here are the instructions they give. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response.
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Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 AT 11:52 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 124 POSTS
  • 2014 BMW 320I
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 109,000 MILES
Hello, I just bought this BMW and have quite a few codes that I pulled from the computer. One in particular that I am concerned about is this 135C11 code for the valvetronic motor? I’ve attached a photo.

What would be the process to correct or fix this issue?

Can it be reset?

Thanks in advance!
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Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 AT 1:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 124 POSTS
Hello. I was able to drop the oil pan over the weekend and I did notice that were there were some broken timing chain plastic pieces, not a whole lot, but there was some. I didn’t see anything else that would be clogging the intake oil pump. I’m assuming maybe one of the plastic pieces was close to the intake and Possibly it was clogging it?

Let’s say that maybe the plastic pieces weren’t the issue causing low oil pressure. What would the next step be? Would it be to just replace the oil pump?
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Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 5:51 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, so what happens is a part of small plastic gets through the oil pump pickup and logged into the oil pump pressure control valve and hangs it open. You might be able to remove the pump and take it apart to find the piece causing it or the oil pressure control valve is not working. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response
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Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 124 POSTS
Hey Ken, I’m just replying to you from the bmw low fuel pressure code post. You had said that it’s probably the oil pump solenoid. What would be the instructions for removing the solenoid and testing it?

Or can it be tested through a scan tool?
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Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I would test it once it is out of the car. I don't think the scanner will be able to pick up the operation of the valve just the signal which is working.

Bench test by applying 12 V power to the valve terminals:

It should click or move slightly when energized. When power is removed, it should return to resting position. If it doesn’t move or sticks, it’s defective and needs replacement.
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Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 AT 11:49 AM

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