BMW M50 and M52 (seis cilindros en línea de gasolina, 2.0 / 2.5 / 2.8)Oil consumption
Blocked crankcase ventilation valve (CCV) and oil consumption on the M50 and M52
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency occasional: BMWBlog, Enginescope and the Euro Premium Parts E36 guide cite it, but other M52 guides (BMW Tuning and the E39 one) do not mention it and none gives statistics, which is why we rate it ‘occasional’.[1][2][3][4][5]
Symptoms
- Higher oil consumption, according to BMWBlog and Enginescope.[1][2]Uses oil: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Rough idle and vacuum leaks at the intake.[1][2]Vibrations: other faults that cause it · Monitor
Why it happens
The diaphragm valve and its hoses clog or break, more easily on short journeys, according to Enginescope.[2]
When the valve sticks, the crankcase is not ventilated properly and oil consumption rises, and vacuum leaks occur, according to BMWBlog.[1]
If it is not repaired: Enginescope rates it as moderate: the oil consumption and rough idle persist until the valve is changed.[2]
Affected cars and years
Enginescope places it on the M52 and especially on the M52TU; the guides do not distinguish between capacities.[1][2]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| M52B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1994-1999) | 1994–1999 | M52B20 |
| M52B25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1995-1999) | 1995–1999 | M52B25 |
| M52B28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1995-1999) | 1995–1999 | M52B28 |
| M52TUB20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1998-2001) | 1998–2001 | M52TUB20M52B20TU |
| M52TUB25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1998-2000) | 1998–2000 | M52TUB25M52B25TU |
| M52TUB28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1998-2001) | 1998–2001 | M52TUB28M52B28TU |
Models fitted with the affected versions
BMW
- BMW Serie 3 E361990–2000
- BMW Serie 3 E461998–2001
- BMW Serie 5 E391995–2001
- BMW Z3 E36/71997–2001
- BMW Serie 7 E381995–2001
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the CCV valve and its hoses.[2][3]
Enginescope gives about €100-105 in parts plus 4 to 8 hours of labour, without country or VAT; it is not a Spanish quote. The mileages in the E36 guide are the conversion of 80,000-120,000 miles.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links
How to prevent it
- BMWBlog advises inspecting it and replacing it periodically.[1]
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 2 November 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Why does my BMW M52 use oil?
A blocked CCV is one of the causes cited by BMWBlog and Enginescope; BMWBlog also mentions unreliable piston rings, so it is wise to rule out the valve first.[1][2]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other M50 and M52 faults
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingCooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator)The most cited weak point of the M52: the expansion tank, the thermostat housing, the pump impeller and the radiator tanks are plastic and crack with age. If coolant is lost and the engine overheats, the cylinder head can be damaged.Appears at around 97,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockPremature cylinder wear (Nikasil coating)Some aluminium-block M52s with Nikasil-coated cylinders, built between 1995 and March 1998, suffered premature wear from sulphur in the fuel and lost compression. BMW moved to iron liners in 1998, and the M52TU had them as standard.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonTimingWorn VANOS sealsVANOS, the M52’s variable valve timing, loses sealing when its internal seals harden: rough idle, lack of low-rev pull and higher consumption appear. It is repaired with a seal kit, but special tools are needed.Appears at around 97,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing and other gasketsWith age the M52’s rubber gaskets harden: the most cited are the rocker cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket, and on some M52TUs the plastic cover itself cracks. They should be watched so the oil level does not drop.
Similar faults on other engines
More faults with oil consumption on other engines and cars
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0/2.2 D-4DWarped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4DYes: the 2.2-litre block (2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV D-CAT) has numerous documented cases of warped cylinder head gaskets and oil consumption or dilution in the Avensis, RAV4, Auris, Corolla Verso and Verso, with repairs that sometimes require replacing the engine.Appears at around 40,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 and 1.4 TSIPiston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twinchargerThe 1.4 TSI twincharger (turbo and supercharger) built up to 2012 can crack the pistons between the rings, with oil consumption, misfires and loss of compression. Volkswagen strengthened the pistons and rings on the 2012 CTHD engines.
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 TCeExcessive oil consumption and engine failure1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built from 2012 to mid-2016 can burn more than 1 litre of oil per 1,000 km because the piston rings do not seal properly; carbon damages the valves and the engine can fail. There was no recall: the dealer network reprograms and replaces rings or the engine.Repair: €5,000–€10,000
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.33 Dual VVT-iExcessive oil consumption from piston wearYes: 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE) units built before 2013 can use far more oil than normal because of a factory defect in the pistons, acknowledged by Toyota in a technical bulletin. In the most serious cases it ends in engine replacement. Toyota corrected it with revised parts from 2013.Appears at around 130,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.2 PureTechExcessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failureThe 2014 to 2023 1.2 PureTech turbos can use too much oil: those from 2014-2018 through carbon blocking the piston rings and those from 2018-2023 through a defective oil separator. Stellantis considers more than 0.3 l per 1,000 km abnormal and includes it in its cover.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.0 PureTechExcessive oil consumption through the piston ringsYes. Stellantis acknowledges that naturally aspirated 1.0 and 1.2 EB engines built between June 2012 and November 2016 can use excessive oil because of fouling of the piston rings; depending on consumption and mileage, its network replaces the water outlet housing or the whole engine.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- BMW M52 Engine: Performance, Reliability, and TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
- BMW M50 / M52: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- BMW 3 Series E36 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
- BMW M52 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
- BMW 5 Series (E39) Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026