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  #1  
Old 11-22-2013, 01:19 AM
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Oil temp low or bad sensor? Never over 2nd mark.

Trying to sort out if my oil temp sensor could be bad, if my thermostat could be bad, or something else. Typically the oil temp needle takes a very long time (15-20mins on freeway) to move much off of the first peg (120 f). Even then it only moves to 2nd peg (165 ish).

Tonight I unlocked the OBC and read out was:
OELTEMP: 76c
KTMP: 95c
Ambient temp tonight was 26f when I checked OBC but I have never seen the oil temp needle go past the 2nd mark even when it has been 50f out. Prior owner had little info other than 'I've never paid attention to it'

I have a hard time believing that the oil temp is only 167f even if the coolant thermostat was having issue. Also heat seems to work normally.

Searched the forum here and most of the 4.8is oil temp references say mine is rather off. Appreciate any ideas. Thx!
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  #2  
Old 11-23-2013, 09:04 PM
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Question Oil temp low or bad sensor? Never over 2nd mark.

Anyone else been down this road with low oil temperature readings?

After some searching I see there is an oil thermostat (shows as connected to the water cooled alternator housing but I have an air cooled alternator (thought all 4.8is had water cooled anyways)??
RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.8is Oil supply - oil cooler connection

Is the oil temp sensor built into the oil pressure sensor on the 4.8is?? I found no clear reference to an oil temperature sensor. Only a vague reference from other n62 motor docs:
BMW Workshop Manuals > 7 Series E65 735i (N62) SAL > 2 Repair Instructions > 12 Engine Electrical System (N62) > 61 Oil Pressure-oil Temperature-oil Gauge > 1 RA Removing And Installing_replacing Oil Pressure Switch (N62, N62TU)

Maybe this part?
Sender Unit, oil temperature (FACET , 7.3272): BMW Parts - Bestpartstore.co.uk

Only reference I can find in real oem but this again only says pressure sensor (part 5
RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.8is Sensors

I do see some older postings where people have had the oil pressure sensors go bad, giving false readings and I've been through that with a different car hence I'm inclined to start with the sensor unless anyone can suggest a reliable way to check first.

Thx for any ideas.
J

2005 4.8is @88k
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  #3  
Old 11-23-2013, 10:42 PM
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What is referred to as the oil level sensor (mounted in the bottom of the oil sump) measures oil level, oil additive quality, and oil temperature. There may or may not be an independent oil temperature sensor, I don't know.

The signal is processed by the vehicle before being displayed, so you could have a problem in the sensor, or in the processing of the signal.
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Old 11-25-2013, 01:00 PM
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The oil level sender (sensor) is also the oil temp sensor. Mine has a similar issue, takes 10minutes to warm up to 210, even with the cooling fan removed (fall/winter/spring configuration). To go along with the slow warm up, I also notice a lack of low oil warnings. So I check oil level weekly to make sure I don't run low as I can't trust the warning light to come on.
It's at the bottom of my priority list for the X, but I do plan on replacing it eventually.
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Old 11-25-2013, 06:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by racingbmwm3 View Post
The oil level sender (sensor) is also the oil temp sensor. Mine has a similar issue, takes 10minutes to warm up to 210, even with the cooling fan removed (fall/winter/spring configuration). To go along with the slow warm up, I also notice a lack of low oil warnings. So I check oil level weekly to make sure I don't run low as I can't trust the warning light to come on.
It's at the bottom of my priority list for the X, but I do plan on replacing it eventually.

Engine oil easily takes up to 20 minutes to reach its proper operating temperature (that point at which condensation will evaporate and be drawn out of the crankcase through the CCV system), especially when you're talking 8-9 quarts with an ambient temperature below 50 degrees F.

My oil level warning light typically comes on when the level is down about 1.25 quarts. I still make sure to check the level manually every 1000 miles though.

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Old 12-06-2013, 01:46 AM
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Oil temp low or bad sensor? Never over 2nd mark.

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
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Last edited by Junkycosmos; 12-06-2013 at 04:36 PM.
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Old 01-29-2014, 11:11 PM
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Okie dokie. Been a fun project to get this little gem (engine oil thermostat 11427520214) out from behind the power steering pump but here it is.

Anyone have a clues as to how it is supposed to work? I read somewhere about always staying slightly open then fully opening at something like 98c 210f which matches how most folks report normal oil temp is 210 after a long time.

Comparing the new vs old oil thermostat on the bench here and the springs both appear open at room temp.

Maybe the flow of helps pull it shut when cold ?




Last edited by Junkycosmos; 01-29-2014 at 11:31 PM.
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Old 01-30-2014, 12:39 PM
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I've had loaner 3 series and 5 series sedans from the dealer with oil temp gauges, and in cooler ambient temperatures (below 40 degrees F), noticed the oil temp never got up to 210 even after an hour of highway driving. Given the cold outdoor temps up there in Minnesota right now, I don't think your oil temps are out of line at all. Coolant is always the number one heat removal medium because of its absorption rate, relative pumping ease, and use to warm the interior of the vehicle. On cold days, your engine oil may never see its optimal operating temperature for condensate evaporation, and thus the need for paying attention to your CCV maintenance.

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  #9  
Old 02-20-2014, 10:37 PM
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Followup post: recap

It has been a month since I changed the Oil Tstat. Not a fun item to reach in and change and I am not sure it made a huge difference.

However about a week after changing the Oil Tstat I also changed:
*main water tstat and housing which comes with new heater element
*lower radiator fan sensor switch
*upper water sensor (in water pump housing)
*automatic transmission thermostat (on back of radiator above connections for oil cooler)
*upper and lower radiator pipes

Something in this second phase has made a difference. The main difference I seen now is much quicker times to have the oil temp needle move off of stone code (120) over to 2nd mark. Prior it take 30-60mins of driving to move off to the 1st mark. Now it takes 10-15 minutes of normal driving to hit the 1st mark and now I have even seen it hit 2nd mark (yes 210!!). There has been some variablity in outside temps but all of these timings are from COLD overnight start (35 degree garage) and driving in 10-30f air temps.

Also I notice the transmission is MUCH quicker to warm up and shift smoothly. Prior it would slightly hang in 1st gear and gently kick a bit for first 15 minutes. Now it rarely does that at all. What I see is that the trans fluid might be a tad low (cold = lower level) but regardless the trans is much happier now.

Last observation is this. The water coolant temp is now fluctuating between holding steady 93-95 or at 103-105 when once warmed all of the way up. Prior to any new parts it would ONLY settle around 93-95 (I was never seeing anything over 100 and rarely would see 100).

Now if I am driving gently (grandma gas saving style) or idling a bunch it will settle around 103-105. However if I am driving with some moderate spirit the coolant temp settles in range of 93-95. Roughly a minute after adjusting styles the temp range adjusts to follow.

Also I am wondering if the temp ranges seem correct. Do understand the computer is suppose to use the tstat heating element to false tstat into opening early when under spirited driving conditions? Would seem to make sense.

Leaves me wondering. Was my coolant temp running too low before or at least lower than BMW set it for due to partly open water tstat?

Regardless the X is heating up the oil faster and the overall coolant temp is running hotter. Not sure if I like that part

Although in -10F it still does not hit 210 (matches post from srmmmm, thx!)

Questions / Thoughts ?
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Old 02-20-2014, 10:49 PM
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My oil temp reads -- in the unlocked test. Does an 03 4.4 not have a temp sensor?
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