N55 Oil temperature

snowghost · 03-13-2013, 04:41 PM

I have been affected by limp mode twice, the first time, aux fan replaced. Second time they did nothing even though the fault was logged. BMWNA told dealer to check some things, drive the car and if no fault logged, give me the car back.

Last night I'm driving on the freeway around 3k RPM in 80 degrees plus ambient air temp and 9 miles and 12 minutes or so after startup (per the Trip Computer).

The oil temp was right around 170 and remained that 2 more miles to my destination. Does that sound too low? I got the car last fall and now that the weather is warming up I'm wondering what "normal" is.

OC40 · 03-13-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowghost

I have been affected by limp mode twice, the first time, aux fan replaced. Second time they did nothing even though the fault was logged. BMWNA told dealer to check some things, drive the car and if no fault logged, give me the car back.

Last night I'm driving on the freeway around 3k RPM in 80 degrees plus ambient air temp and 9 miles and 12 minutes or so after startup (per the Trip Computer).

The oil temp was right around 170 and remained that 2 more miles to my destination. Does that sound too low? I got the car last fall and now that the weather is warming up I'm wondering what "normal" is.

I have had my car for almost a month. Outside temp has been between 60-80 degrees. My oil temp is always a shade below half.

tdizzle · 03-13-2013, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC40

I have had my car for almost a month. Outside temp has been between 60-80 degrees. My oil temp is always a shade below half.

That's what mine does when it's warm, regardless of the outside temp. It does take awhile to get there if it's cold outside though.

snowghost · 03-13-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdizzle

That's what mine does when it's warm, regardless of the outside temp. It does take awhile to get there if it's cold outside though.

Mine's probably going to fail again....

claykin · 03-13-2013, 07:11 PM

Are you looking at dash temp gauge (lower right)? If so is that oil temp or coolant temp?

Mine is typically just below half. Today I was driving about 30 miles and about 2/3 into trip the cooling fan starting running full speed and the temp gauge dropped to a bit over 170F. Car drove normally the entire time.

This seems like a software issue. Supposedly 3/13 production brings another software update from BMW for the F30. I'm gonna ask my shop foreman to check my VIN and see if there's an update.

I can't imagine we have all these cooling fan issues. Its likely more of a software lockup/race condition that causes it to get wonky and tell the cooling fan to run 100%.

BTW, after I turned off car and re-started the fan ran normally and car warmed up OK.

vonmayr · 03-13-2013, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claykin

Are you looking at dash temp gauge (lower right)? If so is that oil temp or coolant temp?

I had to look it up - I had the same question.

The gauge on the lower right is Oil Temperature (F30 users manual page 70)

Also from the manual:
Engine oil temperature
▷ Cold engine: the pointer is at the low temperature end.
Drive at moderate engine and vehicle speeds.
▷ Normal operating temperature: the pointer is in the middle
or in the left half of the temperature display.
▷ Hot engine: the pointer is at the high temperature end.
A Check Control message is displayed in addition.

Coolant temperature
If the coolant along with the engine becomes too hot, a Check Control message is displayed.

bavarianride · 03-13-2013, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowghost

I have been affected by limp mode twice, the first time, aux fan replaced. Second time they did nothing even though the fault was logged. BMWNA told dealer to check some things, drive the car and if no fault logged, give me the car back.

Last night I'm driving on the freeway around 3k RPM in 80 degrees plus ambient air temp and 9 miles and 12 minutes or so after startup (per the Trip Computer).

The oil temp was right around 170 and remained that 2 more miles to my destination. Does that sound too low? I got the car last fall and now that the weather is warming up I'm wondering what "normal" is.

Mine is a 2013 328i and the temp gauge needle hoovers around 1/4 point, around 150-170 degrees.

HighlandPete · 03-14-2013, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claykin

Are you looking at dash temp gauge (lower right)? If so is that oil temp or coolant temp?

Mine is typically just below half. Today I was driving about 30 miles and about 2/3 into trip the cooling fan starting running full speed and the temp gauge dropped to a bit over 170F. Car drove normally the entire time.

This seems like a software issue. Supposedly 3/13 production brings another software update from BMW for the F30. I'm gonna ask my shop foreman to check my VIN and see if there's an update.

I can't imagine we have all these cooling fan issues. Its likely more of a software lockup/race condition that causes it to get wonky and tell the cooling fan to run 100%.

BTW, after I turned off car and re-started the fan ran normally and car warmed up OK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by f30fanboy

Mine is a 2013 328i and the temp gauge needle hoovers around 1/4 point, around 150-170 degrees.

170F is very low for oil temperature. Not even up to the sort of temperatures the ECT will be.

My N55 in the 535i runs at 105 - 110C, (220 - 230F). Pretty constant once up to temperature, and running moderately. Stays the same in ambient temperatures sub zero to 17C, my experience so far.

Don't understand that at all, something is not right. Wonder what your ECT figures are? Worth looking via the hidden menu.

HighlandPete

claykin · 03-14-2013, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Worth looking via the hidden menu.

HighlandPete

hidden menu?

HighlandPete · 03-14-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claykin

hidden menu?

Yes, go into the hidden menu and take a look at real time ECT and oil temperature. F10/11 5-series shows temperatures in one menu, so you can see the relationship with ECT and oil temp' as you drive. I imagine the F30 will be the same display if you have full panel option.

Search "hidden menu" and you'll see how to enter with part of your VIN number.

HighlandPete

RoundelM3 · 03-14-2013, 10:28 AM

OK - I found out how to get the service menu added to "settings" on my non-nav 335i, but going into that service menu, there's not much there. Certainly nothing about entering part of the VIN. Care to share the "secret"? My car is January 2011 build.

HighlandPete · 03-14-2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

OK - I found out how to get the service menu added to "settings" on my non-nav 335i, but going into that service menu, there's not much there. Certainly nothing about entering part of the VIN. Care to share the "secret"? My car is January 2011 build.

E9x models use the following:

http://e90.wetpaint.com/page/BC+hidden+menus

When I say use "part of the VIN" it is the last 5 digits added together for the unlock code.

I found option 2 was the easiest to use for flawless entry.

With the 5-series I press and hold the odometer/trip button before pressing the start button (minus brake being pressed), then follow the menus.

HighlandPete

03-13-2013, 04:41 PM	#1
snowghost Colonel 155 Rep 2,266 Posts Drives: '13 335i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	N55 Oil temperature I have been affected by limp mode twice, the first time, aux fan replaced. Second time they did nothing even though the fault was logged. BMWNA told dealer to check some things, drive the car and if no fault logged, give me the car back. Last night I'm driving on the freeway around 3k RPM in 80 degrees plus ambient air temp and 9 miles and 12 minutes or so after startup (per the Trip Computer). The oil temp was right around 170 and remained that 2 more miles to my destination. Does that sound too low? I got the car last fall and now that the weather is warming up I'm wondering what "normal" is. __________________ F30 Sapphire Black M-Sport 335i 6MT
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03-13-2013, 07:11 PM	#5
claykin Brigadier General 1588 Rep 4,553 Posts Drives: various BMW Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Are you looking at dash temp gauge (lower right)? If so is that oil temp or coolant temp? Mine is typically just below half. Today I was driving about 30 miles and about 2/3 into trip the cooling fan starting running full speed and the temp gauge dropped to a bit over 170F. Car drove normally the entire time. This seems like a software issue. Supposedly 3/13 production brings another software update from BMW for the F30. I'm gonna ask my shop foreman to check my VIN and see if there's an update. I can't imagine we have all these cooling fan issues. Its likely more of a software lockup/race condition that causes it to get wonky and tell the cooling fan to run 100%. BTW, after I turned off car and re-started the fan ran normally and car warmed up OK. __________________ 2023 840GC \| 2021 740i \| 2019 X3
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03-14-2013, 10:28 AM	#11
RoundelM3 Major General 1835 Rep 6,990 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	OK - I found out how to get the service menu added to "settings" on my non-nav 335i, but going into that service menu, there's not much there. Certainly nothing about entering part of the VIN. Care to share the "secret"? My car is January 2011 build. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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