Oil Sump And Oil Volume
The oil sump is made of die-cast aluminum with baffles (splash walls). This is so that the oil stays in the sump during active driving (heavy braking/acceleration, sharp turns, etc). Liquid gasket ensures the seal between the cylinder block and the oil sump.
The oil pan is designed to reduce mechanical noise from the engine, at the same time as providing a reliable supply of oil at different angles. A composite oil scraper keeps the larger section of the oil volume away from the rotating crankshaft. It minimizes power loss, improves fuel economy and prevents the oil from foaming.
The oil suction line, which runs from the oil pan, is made of plastic. The oil pan is equipped with an oil level sensor.
The oil pan contributes to the rigid design and operates as an extra reinforcement of the cylinder block.
The oil volume for engines B6324S4/S5 and B6304T4 have been reduced by 0.6 litres. Reasons for reducing the oil volume are, among others, lower service costs (cost of ownership), lower friction, and increased power. Lower friction and higher power are attained by facilitating the engine's internal 'breathing' with a lower oil surface, that is, easier evacuation of gases under the pistons.
The change of the oil volume is partly connected to a changed oil scraper plate, which means that the oil system also works with a reduced oil volume, as well as cooling for IVD (I nternal V iscous D amper), which is removed since 09w11. Since the volume reduction is partly connected to IVD-cooling it is not possible to reduce the oil volume on an older engine with IVD-cooling, even if the new oil scraper plate is retrofitted. Due to the volume reduction, a new oil dipstick is introduced with adapted markings.