Running Temp, HELP!

[135i_Vert]

So today has been probably one of the hottest days here in Austin, TX this year. Reaching approx 100 degrees. And my engine temperature didn't get past around 200-210 degrees on my gauge in the dash and my coolant temp on my p3 gauge didn't get past 201 degrees.

It's the first time it has done this and I don't understand how it's possible??? Every other time I take the same trip to work it reaches the normal running temp at 240-250 degrees.

How is it possible on the hottest day it didn't reach normal running temps?
Someone please help I'm scared it's the thermostat.

Any feedback will help, thanks guys.



Mod list: 7"FMIC, bms intake, Dinan s2 tune, berk axel back, charge pipe.

[quicksilver3121]

Has your water pump went yet? My oil temp was running low right before my water pump started to short out.

[135i_Vert]

Originally Posted by quicksilver3121

Has your water pump went yet? My oil temp was running low right before my water pump started to short out.

No it hasn't as far as my knowledge goes but I did buy it used... what other signs are there when the water pump goes out? How do you know if it is the water pump? And how much did it cost you to fix it?

Thanks.

[Juggernaut135i]

Originally Posted by 135i_Vert

So today has been probably one of the hottest days here in Austin, TX this year. Reaching approx 100 degrees. And my engine temperature didn't get past around 200-210 degrees on my gauge in the dash and my coolant temp on my p3 gauge didn't get past 201 degrees.

It's the first time it has done this and I don't understand how it's possible??? Every other time I take the same trip to work it reaches the normal running temp at 240-250 degrees.

How is it possible on the hottest day it didn't reach normal running temps?
Someone please help I'm scared it's the thermostat.

Any feedback will help, thanks guys.



Mod list: 7"FMIC, bms intake, Dinan s2 tune, berk axel back, charge pipe.

If it's a water pump, the car wouldn't do that

I just upgraded my intercooler to AA.
How long were you driving for? It takes a good 20 min of highway driving for me to get to 240

[infinitekidM2C]

Only thing i can think of is that your fan was blowing keeping your oil temps low. And yes a failing water pump can do that because it will cause your fan to blow even if your oil temp is normal. I have experienced it.

[135i_Vert]

Thanks for the input guys!!!!

I just drove it and it reached normal temps... maybe since the a/c was on the first run it stayed cool idk... or maybe it was just a fluke thing... so for now it's normal. Sorry if I wasted anyone's time.

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by 135i_Vert

Thanks for the input guys!!!!

I just drove it and it reached normal temps... maybe since the a/c was on the first run it stayed cool idk... or maybe it was just a fluke thing... so for now it's normal. Sorry if I wasted anyone's time.

Yeah, I want my five minutes back. Hahaha!

Peace... Mack

[doublevanosrc]

I'm in Austin as well and despite the hotter temp, the engine oil temp is always at 240. I do a lot of high speed(80-95mph) driving on tolls roads and it never passes 240. My previous 135i was the same way, it's possible the water pump might be deteriorating.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by 135i_Vert

Thanks for the input guys!!!!

I just drove it and it reached normal temps... maybe since the a/c was on the first run it stayed cool idk... or maybe it was just a fluke thing... so for now it's normal. Sorry if I wasted anyone's time.

With the A/C on, the fan is always running, could actually make it run cooler.

[Dank28i]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

With the A/C on, the fan is always running, could actually make it run cooler.

You're engine isn't gonna run any cooler with the AC on.

Op, the car has a lot of oil which takes time to warm up. Also don't forget that the car will run hotter if you are sitting in traffic or on the highway with light load to increase efficiency.

Regarding your water pump... what is your current mileage?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Dank28i

You're engine isn't gonna run any cooler with the AC on.

After a hard drive I will often turn on the A/C to cool the engine down faster. Cools down noticeably faster.

[jaye944]

to cool down an engine on "older cars" the trick was to put the heater on,
using the inside heater matrix as a radiator

pretty certain it'd work on bm's
but can't confirm

[WDE82]

The heaters still use engine coolant for the heat source so yes that would make the coolant cooler.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by jaye944

to cool down an engine on "older cars" the trick was to put the heater on,
using the inside heater matrix as a radiator

pretty certain it'd work on bm's
but can't confirm

Yes, that still works. Coolant still goes through the heater core. In the winter, if I run the heater full blast, it takes forever for the car to fully warm up.

Also useful for on track for keeping the engine temp down. Turn it to full hot, only open the outer dash vents and aim them out the windows.

It is just like having the additional engine cooler from the PPK. Well, not quite, but it does help.

[WDE82]

That's an oil cooler. Unless the engine is overheating, running the heater isn't keeping the engine cooler.

[KNS]

OP - I noticed the same thing, I'm in Phoenix. It was in the 100s and my P3 gauge seemed to be indicating a "cool" coolant temp. "How is this possible..?" I thought. It finally returned to more normal temps in the early morning when it was cooler and seems to be running normally otherwise.

I think the water pump and T stat work together in various modes to run the engine at its optimum whatever the outside air temp may be.

[WDE82]

It may decide to keep the engine cooler since the intake air temperature is high.

[xQx]

Originally Posted by WDE82

It may decide to keep the engine cooler since the intake air temperature is high.

Can't believe nobody's said it yet. Yes, that's exactly what it's doing.

When the car detects ambient temperatures above a certain threshold, it targets lower coolant temps to give you a bigger buffer for hard driving (since it knows your radiator is going to be less effective)

This is documented in more detail in the recent mhd release, because they released the option of mhd users lowering the thresholds to keep the engine cooler.

[WDE82]

I think it's probably more about charge temperature and preventing detonation.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by WDE82

That's an oil cooler. Unless the engine is overheating, running the heater isn't keeping the engine cooler.

Of course it will run cooler.

No, the PPK2 kit adds an additional coolant rad on the left side, in addition to the stock oil cooler on the right side of the car. It also comes with a more powerful rad fan, same as the fan in the 1M. I have it on my car.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Of course it will run cooler.

No, the PPK2 kit adds an additional coolant rad on the left side, in addition to the stock oil cooler on the right side of the car. It also comes with a more powerful rad fan, same as the fan in the 1M. I have it on my car.

Either way the engine is kept at the same temperature by the thermostat. It's likely they add the rad to keep the same headroom that's there for the stock amount of power.

[andysantoro]

I've always thought the same. I recall reading posts after larger oil coolers were installed, and the posters claiming lower oil temps. Maybe I don't know how a thermostat works, but I would expect the same temps, just more headroom.