Running temperature

[dannytheduck1985]

What is the normal running temperature of the car once warm?
What is a safe temperature when thrashed?

The light doesn't come on for overheating but Just wanted some reassurance mine is not running too warm.

 

[srhutch]

I don't go above 3k until oil upto 75, and then nothing over 4/5k until oil upto full temp which from memory is around 90 at the 11 o'clock position.

 

[TomK]

Once up and running oil temp in mine and what I believe to be normal is 11 o'clock on the dial. In normal usage I rarely see the temp deviate. On track 12 o'clock is quite normal and pushing hard sees 1 o'clock at least. I've seen similar oil temps at sustained running of 120mph plus.
Remember I think the 'warning light' you're referring to which you don't see is for water temp (there is no gauge for water temp just oil), I'm not even sure there is an oil temp warning light, that's the dial you see bottom right...?

 

[Easty-5]

I can concur with the above. No Revving past 3k RPM till up to normal running temp which for me is also the 11 o'clock position. On track, I am running similar temps to Tom.

 

[dannytheduck1985]

Nice one lads, sounds exactly the same as mine. Just needed a little reassurance after the mammoth rebuild

 

[TomK]

Good news! I was getting worried for you there for a sec!
Just go and enjoy it now

 

[buzyg]

Yup sounds like yours is running fine Danny. As above mine settles between 85-95.

My engine fan failed last years and it still stayed that temp while moving. It was only driving up the drive of Sherborne Castle, at walking speed, that brought amber light on and made me get it checked out. Comes on pretty soon above 95, so a nice early warning in my experiance.

 

[TomK]

My engine fan failed last years and it still stayed that temp while moving. It was only driving up the drive of Sherborne Castle, at walking speed, that brought amber light on and made me get it checked out. Comes on pretty soon above 95, so a nice early warning in my experiance.

Are you sure that was the oil temp warning light? I often see 110c on the oil gauge, it goes around to 125 from recollection before appearing to be 'over'?
If the fan failed I would expect water temperature to rise a lot faster than oil (the fan is bolted directly to the water rad) and since there is no water temperature gauge you get the water temp warning light only.

 

[TomK]

My engine fan failed last years and it still stayed that temp while moving. It was only driving up the drive of Sherborne Castle, at walking speed, that brought amber light on and made me get it checked out. Comes on pretty soon above 95, so a nice early warning in my experiance.

Are you sure that was the oil temp warning light? I often see 110c on the oil gauge, it goes around to 125 from recollection before appearing to be 'over'? No warning lights.
If the fan failed I would expect water temperature to rise a lot faster than oil (the fan is bolted directly to the water rad) and since there is no water temperature gauge you get the water temp warning light only.

 

[buzyg]

My engine fan failed last years and it still stayed that temp while moving. It was only driving up the drive of Sherborne Castle, at walking speed, that brought amber light on and made me get it checked out. Comes on pretty soon above 95, so a nice early warning in my experiance.

Are you sure that was the oil temp warning light? I often see 110c on the oil gauge, it goes around to 125 from recollection before appearing to be 'over'?
If the fan failed I would expect water temperature to rise a lot faster than oil (the fan is bolted directly to the water rad) and since there is no water temperature gauge you get the water temp warning light only.

Good question. Just took a look at the dash. It was definable Oil Temp I was looking at. The light may come on for water Temp though I don't know. Car did't over heat and I drove it home and the light never came on all the way. Got it checked over and was told the fan had failed, so had it replaced. Never come on since.

 

[TomK]

just checked the manual and it seems there is no oil temp warning light, only pressure or level... I suspect #16 is what you saw?

 

[buzyg]

Yup I would say so. A while ago but I recall the little thermometer Icon. Been Googling but can't find a temp that it comes on at. Just lot's of warning from Beedub.

 

[breezer]

I don't go above 3k until oil upto 75, and then nothing over 4/5k until oil upto full temp which from memory is around 90 at the 11 o'clock position.

I basically do this (though I generally keep it below 3k until it's at full operating temp) and I'm always pleasantly surprised at how fast the oil warms up compared to my previous cars and the Tuscan. Not to mention how the needle just sits in one place forever after that! Brilliant.

Does it have an oil cooler and is it bypassed at startup?

 

[TomK]

Yup I would say so. A while ago but I recall the little thermometer Icon. Been Googling but can't find a temp that it comes on at. Just lot's of warning from Beedub.

This explains it better.

Does it have an oil cooler and is it bypassed at startup?

Yes located below the aircon rad. edit : no it isn't bypassed it seems. 30% of the oil goes through the cooler regardless of the temperature apparently.

 

[mattfwalters]

I saw a sustained 125*C at the track today. It was 35*C at the track, mind you.

 

[Vanne]

I got to 120 degrees on my last track day, but it was around 40 degrees OAT, I've taken measures that that doesn't happen again, and i believe the the stock oil cooler could use a hand anyways.

 

[gossler]

Driving like I stole it, 41c and oil temp is holding just below 100c

 

[dannytheduck1985]

Had my car out all day today. Oil seems to be running very cool, around 90 when thrashed and it was a hot day.

I've found when driving round with the roof up and heater off, it gets very hot in the cabin. Can actually feel a warm breeze from the foot well. Is this normal bearing in mind it was a cool evening?

 

[Smartbear]

Had my car out all day today. Oil seems to be running very cool, around 90 when thrashed and it was a hot day.

I've found when driving round with the roof up and heater off, it gets very hot in the cabin. Can actually feel a warm breeze from the foot well. Is this normal bearing in mind it was a cool evening?

Turn on the air-con! It's a big engine in front of your feet, there probably is a bit of heat soak into the cabin
Rob

 

[pcube]

I had a set of standalone gauges installed, which included an oil temp gauge with the sensor tapped into the oil filter assembly.

As the indication of the temp gauge on the Z4M cluster rises from the 75 mark all the way up to 100, there is little change in readings on my standalone temp gauge, stabilising between 82 to 88 degC depending on ambient temperatures. Unexpectedly, the reading that actually increases along with the stock oil temp gauge was instead the water temperature.

I have since chosen to ignore the stock gauge, and consider my engine "warmed up" when my standalone gauges indicate at least 80 deg on both oil and water temp. For the benefit of those who do not have a standalone gauge, this roughly translates to the needle indicating just above the 75 mark on the stock gauge.