130i 128i Coolant/engine temps N52

Missy101 · 11-23-2012, 08:13 AM

Hi all
New to this site but really enjoying all the informative threads.
Wonderd if maybe a few people with 130i or 128i n52 engines would mind helping messure average coolant temps and cooling trends the n52 seems to have.

If a handfull of people help and log on this thread what they find this should help us all know if our cars/engines are running as they should, also could help detect failing hardware before it damages your engine.

With most models the obd secret menu will need to be accessed to messure your coolant temp.

This is especially important if you N52 fan is running at full speed when you park your car up at the end of a trip.

The following should be a good help.

To access the hidden menu do the following.
Put key into car but dont hit any pedals of start.
Hold reset for ten seconds (on cluster next to speedo)
once into menu your vin will be displayed vn12345 (simply add you vin together ie 1+2+3+4+5=15) make a mental note of your answer.
Hold reset for another 3 seconds until 01.__ is displayed
Now press reset 19 times until onto menu 19
once on 19 "lock on" is displayed and then "00" when you see 00 quickly press reset the number of times your vin adds too, ie 15 for me.
display should read "lock on 15" then will disapear back to 01.00.
hold down reset for another 3 seconds until 01.-- is displayed then press reset 7 times to goto menu 7
Once in menu 7 your real time coolant temps are displayed.
Start your car (note turn off the car will un do the above)

1. Average temp in town (stop/start driving)
2. Average for motorway cruise at say 70-80mph
3. What happens when you floor the loud pedal
4. Does you fan run when your park on drive at end of trip
5. If fan is running is it loud
6. Whats your ambient external temps

My temps are
1. 99c
2. 102-103c
3. Temp drops to 96c then returns to 102c on motorway
4. Yes, full speed sometimes
5. Yes very loud
6. 6c outside temp

Thanks for reading

Greenkirby21 · 11-23-2012, 05:03 PM

I can only get to menu 0-10. After that it goes back to 0. I got to the step where it says to go to 19

Light_Em_Up · 11-24-2012, 02:22 AM

Two summers ago I tracked my coolant temperature for a few days at random. Outside temp was 20-25C. Temp seemed to wander around a lot and not follow specific activities. As I recall the range was 90-106 with it trying to control to 100. Only once or twice have I been aware that my radiator cooling fan had operated.

Jack

smellthebeans · 11-24-2012, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Light_Em_Up

Two summers ago I tracked my coolant temperature for a few days at random. Outside temp was 20-25C. Temp seemed to wander around a lot and not follow specific activities. As I recall the range was 90-106 with it trying to control to 100. Only once or twice have I been aware that my radiator cooling fan had operated.

Jack

The reason the coolant temperatures fluctuate is partially because the water pump is electric.

Missy101 · 11-24-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

I can only get to menu 0-10. After that it goes back to 0. I got to the step where it says to go to 19

Hi i had this issue as well, hold reset for 3 seconds and it jumps to the first set of numbers ie 19.-- the --.00 only goes to 10

Missy101 · 11-24-2012, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Light_Em_Up

Two summers ago I tracked my coolant temperature for a few days at random. Outside temp was 20-25C. Temp seemed to wander around a lot and not follow specific activities. As I recall the range was 90-106 with it trying to control to 100. Only once or twice have I been aware that my radiator cooling fan had operated.

Jack

Thanks for your info
The T stat seems to open at 96-97c so engine should be around this figure most of the time. The highway/motorway high temps of 102-104c seems to be because to return good mpg on this situation requires high engine temp.

Missy101 · 11-24-2012, 07:14 AM

1. Insert key and start engine
2. Press and hold trip reset button on dash for 10+ seconds. Ignore the warnings that pop up.
3. You should be greeted by the last 7 of the cars vin on the dash
4. Press the trip reset button repeatedly to get menu 19 displayed, it should say 'lock on'. (You might need to.press and hold the trip button for 3 seconds to toggle to the L/H digits.)
5. After a couple of seconds the window will change to say code 00
6. Press the trip reset button till your code is reached
7. After a couple more seconds it will take you back to step 01.00
8. You will need to.press and hold the trip button for 3 seconds to toggle to the L/H digits.
9. Press the trip reset button till you reach test 07.00 which will display your coolant temp.

JimD · 11-24-2012, 08:04 AM

Its easier to run torque to get coolant temperature. I did not write anything down but my crusing temperature is definitely above my accelerating temperature. Torque reqjires an android or apple device and a sender via bluetooth for thr data. Total cost is about $30.

Missy101 · 11-29-2012, 10:32 AM

My previous results were 102-104c on motorway cruise
99c in town with no errors showing on DIS.

I know alot of people are measuring roughly the same temps but i wasnt happy with the over 100c results. So i decided to change my T stat the other day.
My results have changed a fair amount.
Motorway is now 96-97c, in town is 96-97c, give it some right foot and temp drops to 88c

For what ever reason my stat was working but seems not to be opening fully, like i said no error codes, just the fan noise after a long drive which has now gone with temp reductions.

Hope this helps people in future.

wolfe · 01-08-2013, 08:36 PM

Thanks for sharing the info, here's my numbers from a 25 mile trip in a 128i

1. Average temp in town (stop/start driving) - don't really have any stop & start driving on my trip home.
2. Average for motorway cruise at say 70-80mph - fluctuated between 95C and 99C depending on speed.
3. What happens when you floor the loud pedal - didn't get a chance, too much traffic today
4. Does you fan run when your park on drive at end of trip - it didn't today, often does in summer.
5. If fan is running is it loud -
6. Whats your ambient external temps - 16C today.

Temperature Started at 38c after sitting parked all day. Warmed up to the mid 70's in just a couple of minutes. Got up to the 90's right around the point on my trip home where the oil level first registers a reading.

After parking and switching the engine off the temperature rose by a couple of degrees. (went from 96 to 98 over a few minutes).

I'll be interested to try this again when the ambient temps are in the 90s and see how it compares.

desertman123 · 06-11-2016, 04:14 PM

Don't mean to necro an ancient thread but this is still good info. I found my coolant temp to bounce between 90°C-103°C. Good to know this is "normal" or within accepted range. May seem a tiny bit hot, but I'm in Florida so my ambient temp is 27°C (80°F). I'm gonna use this secret menu coolant temp to watch when I gotta replace my pump/thermostat, if ever.

11-23-2012, 08:13 AM	#1
Missy101 New Member 4 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 130i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: FIFE iTrader: (0)	130i 128i Coolant/engine temps N52 Hi all New to this site but really enjoying all the informative threads. Wonderd if maybe a few people with 130i or 128i n52 engines would mind helping messure average coolant temps and cooling trends the n52 seems to have. If a handfull of people help and log on this thread what they find this should help us all know if our cars/engines are running as they should, also could help detect failing hardware before it damages your engine. With most models the obd secret menu will need to be accessed to messure your coolant temp. This is especially important if you N52 fan is running at full speed when you park your car up at the end of a trip. The following should be a good help. To access the hidden menu do the following. Put key into car but dont hit any pedals of start. Hold reset for ten seconds (on cluster next to speedo) once into menu your vin will be displayed vn12345 (simply add you vin together ie 1+2+3+4+5=15) make a mental note of your answer. Hold reset for another 3 seconds until 01.__ is displayed Now press reset 19 times until onto menu 19 once on 19 "lock on" is displayed and then "00" when you see 00 quickly press reset the number of times your vin adds too, ie 15 for me. display should read "lock on 15" then will disapear back to 01.00. hold down reset for another 3 seconds until 01.-- is displayed then press reset 7 times to goto menu 7 Once in menu 7 your real time coolant temps are displayed. Start your car (note turn off the car will un do the above) 1. Average temp in town (stop/start driving) 2. Average for motorway cruise at say 70-80mph 3. What happens when you floor the loud pedal 4. Does you fan run when your park on drive at end of trip 5. If fan is running is it loud 6. Whats your ambient external temps My temps are 1. 99c 2. 102-103c 3. Temp drops to 96c then returns to 102c on motorway 4. Yes, full speed sometimes 5. Yes very loud 6. 6c outside temp Thanks for reading Last edited by Missy101; 11-23-2012 at 08:21 AM..
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11-23-2012, 05:03 PM	#2
Greenkirby21 Vrooom :) 313 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: C7 Stringray Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dream Land iTrader: (1)	I can only get to menu 0-10. After that it goes back to 0. I got to the step where it says to go to 19 __________________ 2014 C7 Corvette Stringray - Laguna Blue - NPP Exhaust - Competition Seats
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11-24-2012, 02:22 AM	#3
Light_Em_Up Member 2 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 128is Join Date: May 2009 Location: N. Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Two summers ago I tracked my coolant temperature for a few days at random. Outside temp was 20-25C. Temp seemed to wander around a lot and not follow specific activities. As I recall the range was 90-106 with it trying to control to 100. Only once or twice have I been aware that my radiator cooling fan had operated. Jack __________________ '09 128i 6Sp Man Sport (263 18" wheels), Space Grey / Coral Red leather, BMW Perf Intake, Exhaust & Suspension, 3-Stage Manifold, AA Ver 2 tune, Carbon Filter & CDV Delete, Yoko S-Drives
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11-24-2012, 07:14 AM	#7
Missy101 New Member 4 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 130i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: FIFE iTrader: (0)	1. Insert key and start engine 2. Press and hold trip reset button on dash for 10+ seconds. Ignore the warnings that pop up. 3. You should be greeted by the last 7 of the cars vin on the dash 4. Press the trip reset button repeatedly to get menu 19 displayed, it should say 'lock on'. (You might need to.press and hold the trip button for 3 seconds to toggle to the L/H digits.) 5. After a couple of seconds the window will change to say code 00 6. Press the trip reset button till your code is reached 7. After a couple more seconds it will take you back to step 01.00 8. You will need to.press and hold the trip button for 3 seconds to toggle to the L/H digits. 9. Press the trip reset button till you reach test 07.00 which will display your coolant temp.
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11-24-2012, 08:04 AM	#8
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Its easier to run torque to get coolant temperature. I did not write anything down but my crusing temperature is definitely above my accelerating temperature. Torque reqjires an android or apple device and a sender via bluetooth for thr data. Total cost is about $30. __________________ 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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11-29-2012, 10:32 AM	#9
Missy101 New Member 4 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 130i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: FIFE iTrader: (0)	My previous results were 102-104c on motorway cruise 99c in town with no errors showing on DIS. I know alot of people are measuring roughly the same temps but i wasnt happy with the over 100c results. So i decided to change my T stat the other day. My results have changed a fair amount. Motorway is now 96-97c, in town is 96-97c, give it some right foot and temp drops to 88c For what ever reason my stat was working but seems not to be opening fully, like i said no error codes, just the fan noise after a long drive which has now gone with temp reductions. Hope this helps people in future. Last edited by Missy101; 11-29-2012 at 12:37 PM..
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01-08-2013, 08:36 PM	#10
wolfe Captain 134 Rep 613 Posts Drives: e82 / e70 / r56 / r60 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Thanks for sharing the info, here's my numbers from a 25 mile trip in a 128i 1. Average temp in town (stop/start driving) - don't really have any stop & start driving on my trip home. 2. Average for motorway cruise at say 70-80mph - fluctuated between 95C and 99C depending on speed. 3. What happens when you floor the loud pedal - didn't get a chance, too much traffic today 4. Does you fan run when your park on drive at end of trip - it didn't today, often does in summer. 5. If fan is running is it loud - 6. Whats your ambient external temps - 16C today. Temperature Started at 38c after sitting parked all day. Warmed up to the mid 70's in just a couple of minutes. Got up to the 90's right around the point on my trip home where the oil level first registers a reading. After parking and switching the engine off the temperature rose by a couple of degrees. (went from 96 to 98 over a few minutes). I'll be interested to try this again when the ambient temps are in the 90s and see how it compares.
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06-11-2016, 04:14 PM	#11
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Don't mean to necro an ancient thread but this is still good info. I found my coolant temp to bounce between 90°C-103°C. Good to know this is "normal" or within accepted range. May seem a tiny bit hot, but I'm in Florida so my ambient temp is 27°C (80°F). I'm gonna use this secret menu coolant temp to watch when I gotta replace my pump/thermostat, if ever.
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