No dice! Thanks all for the suggestions this far but I am still in same place as the start here.
I did change the oil level / temp sensor in bottom of pan while changing the oil, rather easy: unplug the sensor, unbolt 3x 10mm bolts, seal came on new sensor, cross pattern tighten the bolts, plug back in. However, for me, the new sensor has made no change in my cold oil temp.
Even after driving around for hour plus the needle never reaches 210 (barely reaches the mark before it of 167).
IF this was for my water temp gauge then symptoms would be very typical of a stuck open water thermostat. Sitting with the engine idling for 10mins the needle goes to near 74C but as soon as I drive the needle drops to cold again.
Has anyone ever changed their oil thermostat?
Posting #3 here shows the oil tstat but is it the same on the 4.8is?
http://forums.5series.net/e60-discus...cooler-128849/
All of the diagrams seem to show it attached to the water cooled alternator housing but I'm sure it's an air cooled alternator in there.
Anyone with air cooled alternator version of the 4.8is (n62tu) able to confirm where the oil temp sensor is? Anyone else been down the path of cold oil operating temps ?
Thanks
J
2005 4.8is @88k