Proper Oil Running Temp - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

ncaldiero · 29th July 2007, 19:03

Hey guys,

I know to let the Oil temp heat up a bit before opening her up, I wait until it gets to the second mark. But just before the third mark is as far as it has ever gone, is this normal? Some of the stuff I've been seeing and reading suggest about the 210 mark as normal operating temperature. It's been on trips of 45+ minutes, and still doesn't make it to that third mark.

Is this a problem? Is there something I should start to look at?

Also, center hangar bearing and flex disc are being replaced as we speak. New stainless exhuast from headers back including cats is being done as the exhause fell apart getting to the center hangar bearing. (even though in New York State I could delete them because it is a 1991), I wan't to help the environment a little as I only get 14 MPG. I got the exhaust from Bavauto. It seemed to be one of the only places that had a complete header back exhaust.

Thanks for your help, I'll try and get some pics of the exhaust..maybe a video clip. Cheers.

davidoli · 29th July 2007, 21:50

Neil ,

You are one of those lucky people that seems to possess an S38 engine in good fettle , similar to those lucky people that can eat lots of chocolate and not get fat !

You certainly need not worry that the oil isn't getting excessively hot assuming that your oil temp sensor is working correctly !

Enjoy your car and congratulations on doing your bit for the environment !

nebpor · 29th July 2007, 22:29

Neil, mine is virtually identical, though I appreciate it's probably cooler here in Scotland at this time of year as it is in New York!

ncaldiero · 30th July 2007, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidoli

Neil ,

You are one of those lucky people that seems to possess an S38 engine in good fettle , similar to those lucky people that can eat lots of chocolate and not get fat !

I was up until about 3 years ago in college! Lol.

I'm, exicted for that good news about my engine though, it makes me feel better about my purchase now even with the money I've put into it and the money about to come (Rear suspension). I still haven't decided whether to go SLS delete or SLS repair...so many choices and opinions!

Sebring NL · 30th July 2007, 00:59

There is a thermostat feature on the oil filter canister. It is supposed to open up at 108 degrees oil temp, but I never had mine on that even on hard use or Ring ( which is not considered a demanding thermal track though)

I don't know the Fahrenheit marks, but its considered normal that the M5 stays just before the middle mark of the gauge (that is at 90 degr cels for Euro, middle is 100)

I would think they have simply changed the marks to Fahrenheit and the mechanism is the same

Wout

vadas1 · 30th July 2007, 09:38

The only time my oil temp ever got over half way was in Rome in 2003 in heavy city traffic during a heat wave ( temp = 41 C ). The temp was fine at the Ring when I was there. Your car sounds fine to me.

ralph (vadas1)

IvanDias · 30th July 2007, 11:14

Generally M5s oil temp gauges stay fractionally to the left of the middle mark on the dial. Attached picture of an LE car shows what I mean

In heavy traffic in hot climates, they will move over to just over centre mark, this is nothing to worry about.

In hard driving, it is possible to get them between the middle (2nd mark, straight up) and the third mark, although this happen more when the track or circuit is slower and tighter, so no prolonged high speed airflow is available.

On a side note, my own M5s dial used to sit permanently just to the left of middle. I have had the car since 2001. I have noticed this year, 2007, that if the blowers are set to off or cold air only, then in warmish weather or traffic, the needle will edge up to rest on the middle mark, maybe just fractionally to the right, but does not go over the mark.

Turning the air to hot drops the needle back to "normal" within a few moments. (The Heater Matrix does seem to contribute quite a bit to cooling. My Matrix was replaced in 2006 with a new one.)

I suspect that my radiator is getting filled with crud, corrosion and debris from years of driving. I think that the available cooling area is now only just coping with the S38 engines output.

This would explain how after years of being normal, it is now rising slightly in heavy traffic or without the additional "radiator" effect of the Heater Matrix aiding it.

Time for a new radiator soon I think, preventative maintenance in full operation!

Regards

Ivan

ncaldiero · 30th July 2007, 17:38

Thanks guys....car will be back thursday...i havent been able to drive it in weeks because of the center hangar bearing...i'm like a little kid at christmas!

Teamsreth · 1st August 2007, 00:04

Excellent. I have always worried that I might be getting it wrong, but it looks like I got it right.

Mine gets up to the one shown in the picture, before I go above 3000rpm. This takes about 5-15 mins depending on climate, and traffic, which is usually about 7 miles.

I usually go to 4000rpm until the next mark, and full from there. Although after a 2 hour blat (52litres

) I only just saw the far side on the centre. I couldn't even see air between the needle and the 210f mark.

Was worried that I was driving with spirit before she warmed through.

Hope your car comes back in fine fettle.!!