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      10-01-2012, 02:18 PM   #1
BiscottiGelato
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Drives: 09 135i M Sport 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: GVA

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Reduced Engine Mode on Track

I was at Ridge Motorsports Park this weekend, about an hour drive away from Seattle/Tacoma area. It's a relatively new track with lots of run off. Great!

I used to run at a much smaller track near Vancouver, B.C. I never ran into any engine issue there, but again, it's a much smaller track, and it's very heavy on brakes hence sessions are usually kept short around 15 to 20 minutes.

At the Ridge, the sessions were 30 minutes each. I was able to get through Session 1 and 2 fine. By the end of the 3rd Session, I got reduced engine mode and I just can't get above ~80km/hr (~50 miles?). I didn't pay attention to the oil temp gauge at the time, because I was just trying to get my car off the track ASAP without causing any accidents or massive train build-ups. Once I got back to the paddock, I looked at the oil temp gauge and it's at the usual 120C (straight down the middle) area.

Some 2 hours later, after lunch and all, Session 4 comes along. I started the engine and all is well. After only 2 laps, I got reduced engine mode right away. Going off track, I restarted ignition, and the engine is fine aside from the fact that the engine light is still on the dash. iDrive did state that All system is green however. I was able to rev freely again. I tried to go for another lap, but reduced engine mode kicked in 2nd corner in....

I thought it's cuz I'm low on gas (1/4 tank left). I went out to get gas and came back. I then talked to a few 335 owners and they suggested me to disconnect the battery to remove the engine light first. Before that, one of them had a OBDII scanner (links to iPhone through BT). However for some reason it refused to work with my car. We disconnected the battery anyways, and after that the car came back with the engine light gone. I was able to finish off Session 5, 6 and 7 without trouble afterwards.

That said, preferably, I would much like it if I can avoid all this trouble next time around. Anybody have any clue what this might have been? Just a simple Engine Oil temp being too high? Or something else? Engine oil temp can be solved with a bigger oil cooler? Please advise. Thanks!
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