Do I Need A Tune Up?

[barrett9699]

I'm starting to notice a bit of roughness when at idle or when rolling very slowly. I'm running just fine when on the gas. How can I tell if it's time for a tune-up? It's a '99 328i automatic with 80K miles.

Also, just had an oil change (could that have something to do with it, or was that just a timing coincidence?). The boneheads put natual oil in the thing! My original plan was to run it for 3K miles and then get it changed back to synthitic. Is that a good plan?

And, when I check my dipstick, I notice the oil is reading overfull by about half a centameter, probably. Also, I noticed a little oil mess on my engine. It looks like a bit of oil sprayed out of the dipstick hole of something. It that possible? That doesn't sound good.

Advice, please!

[Hootie361]

"over-oil" is not good. better to run the engine a quart low than a quart high. too much oil will result in greater pressure build-up, particularly worse when heated during operation. remove some oil (your car should hold 7 quarts if I'm correct).

for a tune-up procedure, recommend the following:
1) perform a "hot soak" (search this forum for the procedure)
2) oil change
3) spark plug change
4) air filter change

[peterkulesza]

1. too much oil very bad. make sure car is level, and engine cold before checking.

usually there will not be over pressure, but it can foam and damage bearings.

2. roughness dont really knwo. but there really is no tune-up per se. you can: change the plugs (likely needed now, and will not hurt), and use techron injector cleaner for two tankfulls.

otherwise this could be some bloody computer idle controller related to your automatic, vanos, or all manner of stuff , but all expensive and unlikely.

[barrett9699]

Thanks for the insight. I'll run with that. Any info on natural vs synthetic oil? Should I let it ride for a few thousand miles?