Engine Problems at COTA

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by Petros

sounds like a rod bearing problem. BMW doesn't seem to have a clue how to make rod bearings that don't self destruct.

Why don't you show them then?

[bdaddylo]

Just out of curiosity, at what intervals are you changing your oil and how long ago was your last one.

Luckily, I didn't have any issues, but temps were towards the high end.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

Just out of curiosity, at what intervals are you changing your oil and how long ago was your last one.

Luckily, I didn't have any issues, but temps were towards the high end.

can you share what your temps were? if I remember, wasn't the outside temp in the mid60s?

I now it's a really fast course but the temps over the weekend were so nice and cool.

[bdaddylo]

Originally Posted by Patrón

can you share what your temps were? if I remember, wasn't the outside temp in the mid60s?

I now it's a really fast course but the temps over the weekend were so nice and cool.

Supposedly, DCTs run hotter than manuals and the more you shift the hotter the car gets. During normal driving, I rarely see my temps get over210. At the track my temps were in between 210 and the tick mark between 210 and 300. From the information I gathered from other S65 owners, it's normal to see temps rise up to the tick mark, roughly 250, during hard track sessions. I believe once you past the 250 mark, the DCT is prone for malfunctioning/AKA limp mode.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

Supposedly, DCTs run hotter than manuals and the more you shift the hotter the car gets. During normal driving, I rarely see my temps get over210. At the track my temps were in between 210 and the tick mark between 210 and 300. From the information I gathered from other S65 owners, it's normal to see temps rise up to the tick mark, roughly 250, during hard track sessions. I believe once you past the 250 mark, the DCT is prone for malfunctioning/AKA limp mode.

Thanks for the info.

[gobuffs]

My car (with S54) last year ran hot....maybe it wasnt just the car? Interesting. I got no data this year as it was having fuel issues- will put new FPR and maybe a new pump in it.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by gobuffs

My car (with S54) last year ran hot....maybe it wasnt just the car? Interesting. I got no data this year as it was having fuel issues- will put new FPR and maybe a new pump in it.

I was there last year in June and boy was it ho and humid. I think it was everyone's car.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

Supposedly, DCTs run hotter than manuals and the more you shift the hotter the car gets. During normal driving, I rarely see my temps get over210. At the track my temps were in between 210 and the tick mark between 210 and 300. From the information I gathered from other S65 owners, it's normal to see temps rise up to the tick mark, roughly 250, during hard track sessions. I believe once you past the 250 mark, the DCT is prone for malfunctioning/AKA limp mode.

I wouldn't get concerned unless the oil temps start creeping past the 265 mark. Stop being such a sissy and flog it!

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Patrn

can you share what your temps were? if I remember, wasn't the outside temp in the mid60s?

I now it's a really fast course but the temps over the weekend were so nice and cool.

I believe that engine oil/water temps are higher due to the grip of the surface. Grip will create a lot of drivetrain stress. For example, R comps will cause your car to run at higher temps vs street tires.

COTA's surface is quite grippy.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I believe that engine oil/water temps are higher due to the grip of the surface. Grip will create a lot of drivetrain stress. For example, R comps will cause your car to run at higher temps vs street tires.

COTA's surface is quite grippy.

Could it also be oil starvation. Seems like a couple of the turns the cars could be experiencing a lot more G-load, than other tracks. Turn 2 (downhill right hander) and especially 16-17-18 which is a very long sustained right hand G-load.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Could it also be oil starvation. Seems like a couple of the turns the cars could be experiencing a lot more G-load, than other tracks. Turn 2 (downhill right hander) and especially 16-17-18 which is a very long sustained right hand G-load.

I think that could be part of it. There is just the increase load on the drivetrain just to overcome the surface grip. My car just feels slow on COTA and I think that is the reason.

[jbraslins]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I think so. The surface is quite grippy so add in sticky R-Comps and your drivetrain takes a lot of abuse. My car gets hot really quickly at COTA...much quicker than at any other track in TX. I've seen a LOT of blown engines at COTA and its not just E46 and E9X M3s. Seen a lot of C6 Z06s blow up...4 so far over 6 days at COTA. I do know of 3 rear diff blow ups in BMWs which resulted in dumping the diff oil...I have nevere seen that at another track.

That sure does sound like a disproportionate number of failures.

[US///M3]

Instead of the Nurburgring maybe sports car manufacturers should consider this track for testing.

[JDATX]

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

Just out of curiosity, at what intervals are you changing your oil and how long ago was your last one.

Luckily, I didn't have any issues, but temps were towards the high end.

I did my last oil change in early January and did them on average at 7500 miles interval

[JDATX]

Originally Posted by Patrón

I was there last year in June and boy was it ho and humid. I think it was everyone's car.

Yes, indeed last year was a lot warmer on Saturday and humid on Sunday as it rained in the morning.

[pkimM3r]

That sucks! But if at a track day glad it was at a cca day. Maybe that will help with the "you tracked your car so we are voiding warranty" issue.

[gobuffs]

There are reports of bad gas from the Exxon out front of the track. Seems to be confined to Friday purchasers.

[JDATX]

Got the car back today with a new engine, all taken care by BMW under warranty.
The failure was due to upper rod bearing excessively worn on cylinder 2, 3 and 7.

[bigjae1976]

Good to hear! That did not really sound like rod knock as I know it on my E46s. Good call on getting the tow truck. Could have been catastrophic going back out with an oil trail behind you. Read...clean up charges from COTA maybe.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by JDATX

Got the car back today with a new engine, all taken care by BMW under warranty.
The failure was due to upper rod bearing excessively worn on cylinder 2, 3 and 7.

Great news... These rod bearings are a nightmare!

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Great news... These rod bearings are a nightmare!

Ohs noes... not another thread about...

[Petros]

Do you have the record of mileage, oil changes, used oil analysis, etc? Any pics of the bearings? You should send any info you have to regular guy to be added to the bearing wiki thread.