Logging coolant temps... concerns...

128 · 03-11-2014, 03:18 PM

It's 65F and sunny and beautiful today in Nor Cal! A friend of my just got one of those OBD2 Bluetooth dongles and we decided to datalog my car at lunch today. Just driving normally on such a mild day, the temps soared between 205F and 220F!!! I took my car to Thunderhill raceway in 90F weather when it was just 3K miles old! I'd hate to think of how hot the oil got! I thought this was a 135 only problem. Anyone have any temp data from track days?
Thanks,
Narayan

kobeballer96 · 03-11-2014, 03:29 PM

Not sure! I hate to think what mine was when I was the ring! 10 to 12 mins track time then I hop off to let the car cool down! It couldn't take a hot lap we'll it could but I didn't want too!

jadnashuanh · 03-11-2014, 03:37 PM

BMW's tend to show oil temp on the dash, and that often gets to 230F or so. Water temps, my guess is that the thermostat doesn't open until 190F or so, so 210-220 doesn't seem out of line. I think it tends to run 20-degrees cooler than the oil. Don't think what you're seeing is abnormal, but then, I don't have a huge amount of experience with BMW engines.

TheSt|G · 03-11-2014, 03:45 PM

That's completely within normal temps.

128 · 03-11-2014, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

That's completely within normal temps.

St|g,
So how hot does it get on a track? Not much more than what I saw? My other cars have oil coolers and oil/coolant temp gauges... My e30 runs about 205/210F oil temp and my old MB w108 runs 175/185F coolant temp.

Kgolf31 · 03-11-2014, 04:39 PM

The only oil data I have is from my Z4M, and it wasn't uncommon to see 230*F

Pig Farmer · 03-11-2014, 05:34 PM

Here's something I've noticed living in South Florida. When driving mildly around town, the water temps tend to fluctuate between 212-222 degrees while the oil temps stay around 210-215. If I do a couple quick sprints (even between red lights) the water temp can drop as low as 185 while the oil can jump to 220. I know this sounds counterintuitive. My guess is that the ECU regulates the water pump allowing the engine to run hotter when not under stress to improve fuel economy. Doing a couple sprints probably speeds up the water pump, while the oil is taking on heat while coming in contact with the turbos and the back of the pistons. Keep in mind that I have the PPK2 hardware, a Setrab oil cooler w/thermo delete, and I running a Cobb map.

TheSt|G · 03-11-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128

St|g,
So how hot does it get on a track? Not much more than what I saw? My other cars have oil coolers and oil/coolant temp gauges... My e30 runs about 205/210F oil temp and my old MB w108 runs 175/185F coolant temp.

Coolant temp tends to stick exactly where you saw it. Oil temp can fluctuate from 200 to 240 under hard use.

All in F.

128 · 03-11-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Oil temp can fluctuate from 200 to 240 under hard use.

ST|G,
What is the ambient temp? Or is there enough cooling capacity for that to be irrelevant?
Narayan

PS: My friend drives a '08 Z4 coupe with an N52. We are going to repeat this experiment on his car tomorrow.

TheSt|G · 03-11-2014, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128

ST|G,
What is the ambient temp? Or is there enough cooling capacity for that to be irrelevant?
Narayan

PS: My friend drives a '08 Z4 coupe with an N52. We are going to repeat this experiment on his car tomorrow.

Ambient temp has never made much of a difference at operating temp in my experience(PA where it varies from 0 degrees to 100 degrees), it only really impacts time to get to temp/cooldown post drive.

mike@x-ph.com · 03-11-2014, 10:50 PM

TheSt|Gadmins should pay you for all the contribution you make to this section
On behalf of everyone here i would like to thank you

andrey_gta · 03-11-2014, 11:24 PM

@128
What app did you use & android or iphone

TheSt|G · 03-12-2014, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

TheSt|Gadmins should pay you for all the contribution you make to this section
On behalf of everyone here i would like to thank you

Hah!

Certainly would be nice.

JimD · 03-12-2014, 07:22 AM

This thread helps to illustrate why we do not have coolant temperature gauges. I have not tracked the coolant temp in my n52 recently or for very long but I was surprised it went as high as it did as quickly as it does. But, as has been mentioned, this is deliberate for fuel economy purposes. The general public is even more likely to be disturbed by the needle going up near the red zone all the time - so the solution is no gauge. I guess you can blame the electric water pump which gives the engine software more ability to control temperature.

128 · 03-12-2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

@128
What app did you use & android or iphone

I did not use my phone. My friend used a windows based Nokia Lumia phone with some apps called Auto X dashboard...

128 · 03-12-2014, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimD

This thread helps to illustrate why we do not have coolant temperature gauges. I have not tracked the coolant temp in my n52 recently or for very long but I was surprised it went as high as it did as quickly as it does. But, as has been mentioned, this is deliberate for fuel economy purposes. The general public is even more likely to be disturbed by the needle going up near the red zone all the time - so the solution is no gauge. I guess you can blame the electric water pump which gives the engine software more ability to control temperature.

Then why not give me an oil temp gauge instead? I'm sure that's more stable. I just want to know when my engine reaches operating temp and if there are any overheating issues. The oil temp will be more useful to me...

TheSt|G · 03-12-2014, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128

Then why not give me an oil temp gauge instead? I'm sure that's more stable. I just want to know when my engine reaches operating temp and if there are any overheating issues. The oil temp will be more useful to me...

Coolant temp is the better indicator there. Unless you have a serious issue, it will stay stable. Oil temp takes longer to get to operating temp and has more fluctuations.

If you are really concerned, the V1 display BMW Perf wheel tells you when you are outside of safe temp ranges.

128 · 03-12-2014, 10:58 AM

http://www.**********s.com/P3-Cars-V...MW-135i-1M.htm

I'm considering this, as it's a leased car and a $1600 steering wheel on a car I may or may not keep bothers me.

PS: That ******* should read **********(s)

PPS Wow! I am not allowed to type 'm o d b a r g a i n' no spaces...

128 · 03-12-2014, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128

My friend drives a '08 Z4 coupe with an N52. We are going to repeat this experiment on his car tomorrow.

His car did the same thing. If anything it ran 5F warmer!

JimD · 03-13-2014, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128

His car did the same thing. If anything it ran 5F warmer!

I wouldn't worry about it. When I run autocrosses, which is more rarely than I'd prefer, my cooling fan typically doesn't even come on. It's important to remember that the temperature is what the engine designer wanted, not an indication of an inadequate or malfunctioning coolant system. The oil will not break down nor will it cause other harm. It seems unusual because we are used to less sophisticated cars with mechanical coolant pumps and no means to control temperature other than a thermostat - which is pretty crude.

TheSt|G · 03-13-2014, 11:12 AM

At least BMW T-Stats fail open, many fail closed which blows my mind.

128 · 03-13-2014, 11:25 AM

Thanks guys. I am at peace now.

03-11-2014, 03:18 PM	#1
128 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2013 Lemans Blue 128i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Jose CA iTrader: (0)	Logging coolant temps... concerns... It's 65F and sunny and beautiful today in Nor Cal! A friend of my just got one of those OBD2 Bluetooth dongles and we decided to datalog my car at lunch today. Just driving normally on such a mild day, the temps soared between 205F and 220F!!! I took my car to Thunderhill raceway in 90F weather when it was just 3K miles old! I'd hate to think of how hot the oil got! I thought this was a 135 only problem. Anyone have any temp data from track days? Thanks, Narayan
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03-11-2014, 03:29 PM	#2
kobeballer96 Major 175 Rep 1,491 Posts Drives: 6SPD E82 Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (4)	Not sure! I hate to think what mine was when I was the ring! 10 to 12 mins track time then I hop off to let the car cool down! It couldn't take a hot lap we'll it could but I didn't want too! __________________ Black Wrapped Roof, BFG Rivals, Dinan Camber plates, M3 Steering wheel, Matte Black kidney Grills, H&R Sport springs, Sparco assetto gara,Pagid sport Brakepads,STOPTECH Slotted Rotors, DISA STG3,EURO BOX
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03-11-2014, 03:37 PM	#3
jadnashuanh Major 50 Rep 1,061 Posts Drives: 535iGT x-drive; i3 BEV Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW's tend to show oil temp on the dash, and that often gets to 230F or so. Water temps, my guess is that the thermostat doesn't open until 190F or so, so 210-220 doesn't seem out of line. I think it tends to run 20-degrees cooler than the oil. Don't think what you're seeing is abnormal, but then, I don't have a huge amount of experience with BMW engines.
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03-11-2014, 03:45 PM	#4
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	That's completely within normal temps. __________________ 2005 E46 M3 Interlagos/Cinnamon with Sunroof Delete
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03-11-2014, 04:39 PM	#6
Kgolf31 Brigadier General 459 Rep 4,531 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (4)	The only oil data I have is from my Z4M, and it wasn't uncommon to see 230*F
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03-11-2014, 05:34 PM	#7
Pig Farmer Major 340 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E92M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Here's something I've noticed living in South Florida. When driving mildly around town, the water temps tend to fluctuate between 212-222 degrees while the oil temps stay around 210-215. If I do a couple quick sprints (even between red lights) the water temp can drop as low as 185 while the oil can jump to 220. I know this sounds counterintuitive. My guess is that the ECU regulates the water pump allowing the engine to run hotter when not under stress to improve fuel economy. Doing a couple sprints probably speeds up the water pump, while the oil is taking on heat while coming in contact with the turbos and the back of the pistons. Keep in mind that I have the PPK2 hardware, a Setrab oil cooler w/thermo delete, and I running a Cobb map.
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03-11-2014, 10:50 PM	#11
mike@x-ph.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 24095 Rep 190,633 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	TheSt\|Gadmins should pay you for all the contribution you make to this section On behalf of everyone here i would like to thank you __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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03-11-2014, 11:24 PM	#12
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	@128 What app did you use & android or iphone __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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03-12-2014, 07:22 AM	#14
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	This thread helps to illustrate why we do not have coolant temperature gauges. I have not tracked the coolant temp in my n52 recently or for very long but I was surprised it went as high as it did as quickly as it does. But, as has been mentioned, this is deliberate for fuel economy purposes. The general public is even more likely to be disturbed by the needle going up near the red zone all the time - so the solution is no gauge. I guess you can blame the electric water pump which gives the engine software more ability to control temperature. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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03-12-2014, 10:58 AM	#18
128 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2013 Lemans Blue 128i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Jose CA iTrader: (0)	http://www.********s.com/P3-Cars-V...MW-135i-1M.htm I'm considering this, as it's a leased car and a $1600 steering wheel on a car I may or may not keep bothers me. PS: That *** should read ********(s) PPS Wow! I am not allowed to type 'm o d b a r g a i n' no spaces...
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03-13-2014, 11:12 AM	#21
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	At least BMW T-Stats fail open, many fail closed which blows my mind.
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03-13-2014, 11:25 AM	#22
128 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2013 Lemans Blue 128i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Jose CA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I am at peace now.
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