Looking for some help. High Engine Operating Temps.

[ashutoshkotha]

Hi everyone! Looking for some help here.

I started having the 'high operating temp' message come up out of nowhere on my E92 M3 at the race track with stock cooling systems with the dash reading almost at 300.

Initial thoughts - Because I was getting faster. But lately it started to happen after 1 or 2 hot laps @ ambient 78-84F. This did not seem normal to me. Happened at Chuckwalla & Streets of willow. I'm on Stock Aero & Pinnacle Motorsport undertray.

I tried to diagnose the problem at a shop. We were not able to see any codes. We tried to reproduce it with running the car on a dyno during hottest part of the day. The temps did not shoot up. No message.

I've installed the following from Do88:
- M3 engine oil cooler
- M3 DCT / DKG oil cooler
- M3 power steering cooler
- M3 radiator

Went to chuckwalla yesterday and the message showed up after 2 hot laps Ambient was 78-83F. This is so annoying.

I'm looking for some help and how to deal with this. I'm lost at this point. Not sure what needs to be done.

Thanks
Ashutosh

[tsk94]

Waterpump or thermostat issue?

You shouldn't be experiencing anywhere near those temps with the upgraded coolers and those ambient temps. Plenty of fast people running those tracks on sticky tires with no overheating issues so it must be a car specific problem.

Radiator is bled properly?

[ashutoshkotha]

Exactly my thoughts on car running hot. This should not happen. At least after all the cooling upgrades.

Is there anyway to know if it’s waterpump or thermostat?

Regarding the beeling. I think everything is installed properly.

[roastbeef]

my initial thought would be to re-bleed the system. also, take a look for any obstructions like plants, bugs, rubber slag on the a/c condenser that is preventing air from getting to the main radiator.
also, check the condition of your undertray. it plays a big roll in forcing air through the heat exchangers. without the undertray, air takes the path of less resistance and just goes around the heat exchanger instead of through it.
the thermostat is relatively cheap, if you've done all of the above, consider proactively changing it. there is also a temperature sensor that can show bad readings as well, but i forget where its at... i think its right on the water pump.

[ashutoshkotha]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

my initial thought would be to re-bleed the system. also, take a look for any obstructions like plants, bugs, rubber slag on the a/c condenser that is preventing air from getting to the main radiator.
also, check the condition of your undertray. it plays a big roll in forcing air through the heat exchangers. without the undertray, air takes the path of less resistance and just goes around the heat exchanger instead of through it.
the thermostat is relatively cheap, if you've done all of the above, consider proactively changing it. there is also a temperature sensor that can show bad readings as well, but i forget where its at... i think its right on the water pump.

Thank you Mike! Much appreciated.

I did check all those. I’m planning to get the thermostat next week before the next track day. I’ve also been reading about the temperature sensor but wasn’t sure where it is. I’ll check now.

Do you know if there is any way to read codes(if any) related to this message at all?

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by ashutoshkotha

Thank you Mike! Much appreciated.

I did check all those. I’m planning to get the thermostat next week before the next track day. I’ve also been reading about the temperature sensor but wasn’t sure where it is. I’ll check now.

Do you know if there is any way to read codes(if any) related to this message at all?

i don't think the car stores it as an error code, but it might. i remember redpriest having problems with this some years ago where the car was showing some 400+ degree coolant temps. it was some ridiculous temp that it was obviously a bad sensor.
its coming back to me now and i proactively replaced mine. its right on top of the water pump. big brass hex head on it.

[ashutoshkotha]

Understood! I’ll replace that first then. Thank you 🙏🏻

[admranger]

AC condenser clogged with junk? It’s a major debris catcher.

Also, and I know this sucks, but have you tested the coolant for combustion gasses? If you’re not blowing coolant out the reservoir you probably don’t have a bad HG or cracked head.

[ashutoshkotha]

AC condenser looks good. I haven’t tested the coolant. Didn’t even think about that. I hope its not that. I’m replacing the coolant thermostat, the o rings in the thermostat housing, the temp sensor & the oil housing gasket(the one at the bottom of the engine).

Hopefully one of these solve my problem. I will try to get the coolant tested as well.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by ashutoshkotha

AC condenser looks good. I haven’t tested the coolant. Didn’t even think about that. I hope its not that. I’m replacing the coolant thermostat, the o rings in the thermostat housing, the temp sensor & the oil housing gasket(the one at the bottom of the engine).

Hopefully one of these solve my problem. I will try to get the coolant tested as well.

Shine a bright light through the condenser. See how much comes through to be sure.

[ashutoshkotha]

Originally Posted by admranger

Shine a bright light through the condenser. See how much comes through to be sure.

Interesting. Will do. Thanks a ton!

[admranger]

Originally Posted by ashutoshkotha

Interesting. Will do. Thanks a ton!

I’ve BTDT. It’s surprising how much crap a high mileage condenser has in it. I’ve also had to replace a head gasket. No fun.

[roastbeef]

crap clogging heat exchangers is a real thing. whenever i have the bumper off, i give it a clean and pick out the tire slag and butterfly wings and straighten some fins. there is enough crap on the ground to get out a broom and dust pan.

[ashutoshkotha]

Just to clarify this is the heat exchanger sitting right in the front of the car right? The big silver one?

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by ashutoshkotha

Just to clarify this is the heat exchanger sitting right in the front of the car right? The big silver one?

that is actually the air conditioning condenser, the main heat exchanger for the car is behind that. the fan is behind the main heat exchanger, and has to pull air through both the condenser and radiator. if the condenser has a bunch of debris on it, or the fins are all bent up, that is less air making its way to the main radiator.
about half of the lower grille is dedicated to the oil cooler, which is also worth taking a look at.

[ashutoshkotha]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

that is actually the air conditioning condenser, the main heat exchanger for the car is behind that. the fan is behind the main heat exchanger, and has to pull air through both the condenser and radiator. if the condenser has a bunch of debris on it, or the fins are all bent up, that is less air making its way to the main radiator.
about half of the lower grille is dedicated to the oil cooler, which is also worth taking a look at.

Got it. Thank you. That cleared my doubts.

In my case everything is new except the AC condenser. I did look at it with the bumper on but will ask the shop to try and clean it if is messy.

Really hoping this install will solve the problem.

[tsk94]

Or, just buy a brand new one to ensure maximum flow to the coolers. Non-OEM replacements are cheap.

[ICTZHP]

I've seen some elevated temps on track and replaced my oil cooler and main radiator with CSF product. I haven't been back to the track with the new radiators, but street driving is showing oil temps about the same as before the upgrades - not a rigorous check by an means.

The one question that I've had is would ride height degrade cooling flow? My reasoning behind this is that I replaced my EDC suspension with coilovers before my last track event and I saw the elevated oil temps. I was aiming for comp package ride height, but the results look too low in the rear. I plan to raise the rear ride height some (5 mm or so) based on appearance and am wondering is having the rear too low would impede airflow and degrade cooling. With that in mind, those who are having temp issues, have you changed your damper/springs and what does your ride height look like?

Might be nothing, but thought I would share my suspicion and see what other people think. As noted, I plan to raise my rear ride height, but I just haven't had time. Once done, I will post my observations.

[ashutoshkotha]

Interesting take.

I actually started having these temp issues once I replaced the stock undertray with pinnacle motorsport tray but after tlaking to the shop and few people that might not be it in my case. Because the temp warming comes as soon as one or two hot laps.

I was on stock edc & swift spec r springs then. Now I’m on full coilovers and my ride hieght isn’t anywhere close to comp setup but the rake is.

Would love to hear more thoughts on this though.

[ashutoshkotha]

Originally Posted by tsk94

Or, just buy a brand new one to ensure maximum flow to the coolers. Non-OEM replacements are cheap.

Just checked the ac condensor. Everything looks good no bent fins or debris.

[DRLane]

Do you have a logger that’s reading coolant and oil temps separately? If so share those.

I’m also in the bleed the radiator again. Also consider distilled water with wetter and ditching the 50/50 mix.

Lastly, you’re sure the coolant cap is pressurizing? Any coolant spewing leaks? Might be worth a new cap?

[ashutoshkotha]

[QUOTE=DRLane;30481901]Do you have a logger that’s reading coolant and oil temps separately? If so share those.

I’m also in the bleed the radiator again. Also consider distilled water with wetter and ditching the 50/50 mix.

Lastly, you’re sure the coolant cap is pressurizing? Any coolant spewing leaks? Might be worth a new cap?


No data logger. Gonna get one and and log during my next track day this month at chuckwalla.

How do I check the cap is pressurized? I’m pretty sure that there is no spills other than the steering fluid though.

I’ll try the coolant mix in my next attempt.