BMW 840Ci Engine oil is black and gritty Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(6,643)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(6,643)

Engine oil is black and gritty Inspection Service

How much does a Engine oil is black and gritty Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW 840Ci Engine oil is black and gritty Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1996 BMW 840CiV8-4.4LService typeEngine oil is black and gritty InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$132.49 - $145.62
1995 BMW 840CiV8-4.0LService typeEngine oil is black and gritty InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
1997 BMW 840CiV8-4.4LService typeEngine oil is black and gritty InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
1994 BMW 840CiV8-4.0LService typeEngine oil is black and gritty InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.48 - $125.60
Show example BMW 840Ci Engine oil is black and gritty Inspection prices

Car engines need oil to operate smoothly and efficiently. Engine oil helps lubricate the dozens of moving and interacting parts, helps prevent rust and corrosion as well as aiding in removing the heat that an engine generates. Modern oil also helps keep an engine clean by removing sludge and build-up. An engine without oil simply will not function.

Brand new engine oil is a lovely amber color but over time it will turn black and in some cases will get gritty. Fortunately, this is usually not a problem, it is simply a result of the oil doing the job it was designed to do.

How this system works:

The primary function of engine oil is to lubricate the various moving parts of an engine. The constant contact between these moving parts generates both heat and wear and tear. Engine oil keeps friction to a minimum and dissipates the heat.

Engine oil is stored in the oil pan. The pan holds between 4 and 6 quarts of oil. When an engine is started, an oil pump sucks the oil from the pan through the pickup tube. The oil then travels to the oil filter, which removes any dirt and debris that has accumulated in it and then sends the oil into the engine via spurt holes. The oil moves through the engine and eventually makes it way back to the oil pan where the process starts again.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Normal Wear and Tear: Regardless of how often oil is changed, eventually it becomes black and slightly gritty. This simply means it is doing its job. Modern detergent engine oils which have detergent additives are designed to disperse the tiny particles or engine sludge and hold them in suspension in the oil so they do not build up on engine parts.

This will make the oil darker in color, and slightly gritty but it’s better for the build up to be trapped in the oil then building up on the vehicles engine parts. Oil can only hold so much sludge and eventually it will need to be replaced.

  • Dirty Oil Filter: An oil filter’s primary function is to filter out contaminants in the oil that it picks up while cycling through the engine. Over time an oil filter will become full and will need to be replaced. If it is unable to filter the oil the contaminants will remain in the oil and possibly damage the engine.

  • Overdue for an Oil Change: Oil needs to be changed on a regular basis. While oil turning black and getting slightly gritty is normal, extremely black oil that develops globs on the dipstick needs to be changed immediately. The interval between oil changes will vary depending on the type of oil being used but it is a good idea to follow the manufacturers recommendations.

While 3,000 miles used to be the recommendation, most modern oils, especially synthetics can go between 7,000-10,000 before an oil change is needed.

  • Oil Light Comes On: In most vehicles, if the Oil Warning light comes on, it is reason for immediate concern. In most cases this will indicate a low oil pressure situation, which could be the result of a failing oil pump or a leak. This can do severe damage to the engine. The vehicle should be inspected and repaired immediately.

  • Oil Level is Dropping: If the vehicle is consistently low on oil or the level is dropping sharply over a short period of time, there is probably an oil leak somewhere in the system. An oil leak can lead to a dangerously low amount of oil in the car and should be repaired immediately.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the source and cause of the Oil is Black and Gritty issue, ​and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic look for normal wear and tear of the engine oil, along with the oil filter, oil level and other indications that will help determine if any problem exists or if additional procedures are required in order to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.

How important is this service?

In most cases black and gritty engine oil is normal. Engine oil should be changed on a regular basis according to the manufacturers recommendations. Going too long between oil changes can affect the performance of the engine and lead to expensive repairs.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Real customer reviews from BMW owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(6,643)

Rating Summary
6,192
205
60
44
142
6,192
205
60
44
142

Adam

17 years of experience
231 reviews
Adam
17 years of experience
BMW 840Ci V8-4.4L - Car is not starting - Boynton Beach, Florida
Adam was great. He was on-time and had to wait because of a stupid HOA rule. He got the car started again recommended a good charger, and was extremely through in his inspection that identified a couple problem with the oil caps that need to be replaced. I highly recommend Adam and plan n using him again when i receive the quote for the recommended services.

Jeremy

20 years of experience
603 reviews
Jeremy
20 years of experience
BMW 840Ci V8-4.4L - Battery - Boynton Beach, Florida
On time, nice guy, always does a good job. I will be in touch with him and YourMechanic.com again in the near future. Thanks again!

Theodore

16 years of experience
1601 reviews
Theodore
16 years of experience
BMW 525i L6-2.5L - Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement - Renton, Washington
Very professional. Exceeded what I had in mind when it comes to mobile service. It was also a positive experience to be able to see the part that failed.

Jason

17 years of experience
429 reviews
Jason
17 years of experience
BMW 328i L6-3.0L - Valve Cover Gasket - Livermore, California
Jason did an outstanding job replacing the valve cover gasket (5-6 hour job) on my BMW328I . He knew the parts , had the tools and knew how to take it apart and put it all back together.

Excellent Rating

(6,643)

Rating Summary
6,192
205
60
44
142
6,192
205
60
44
142
Number of BMW services completed
73073+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How Long Does an Auxiliary Battery Last?
When When a dual battery system is added to a vehicle, it is usually because accessories have been added to the vehicle that are not factory-standard, and the primary battery in the vehicle does not deliver sufficient power to drive...
P0101 OBD-II Trouble Code: Mass Airflow (MAF) Circuit Operating Range or Performance Problem
P0101 code definition Mass Airflow (MAF) Circuit Operating Range or Performance Problem The P0101 code can often be associated with a P0100,...
Disabled Driver Laws and Permits in New Hampshire
In In the state of New Hampshire, the DMV issues special permits to people who have permanent or temporary disabilities. If you live in New Hampshire, you could be entitled to a license plate or placard that lets you use...

After transmission replacement, trouble starting car

If you had the transmission recently replaced, then you may have an issue with the ground cable connection at the transmission connection being loose, or the starter cable is loose. If neither of these issues are happening, then you should...

Check engine light on & OBD #P0171

P0171 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0171-obd-ii-trouble-code-system-too-lean-bank-1-by-andrew-quinn) for your car is "system too lean." The most common cause is a vacuum leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-a-vacuum-leak) and it can come from a leaky hose or a leaky gasket. However, I did a quick search and found someone on...

My 2005 Infiniti g35 rolls all of the windows down when I turn the car off and open the door.

Hi There, This is usually a problem with the power window (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-window-switch-replacement) motor, the regulator or the fuse. The power window motor is what actually operates the window up and down when you push the switch. The regulator is what...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com