Welcome to the limp mode party thread.
This thread was created by track enthusiasts to help existing and new track enthusiasts enjoy their e90/e91/e92/e93s at the track.
We've come a long way in identifying the majority of N54 issues that cause limp modes at the track. We're logging (for the first time ever AFAIK) actual water/oil and other data points on the e9x platform for stock and several aftermarket solutions, some of which seem very promising.
This thread has grown tremendously over the last year due to the overwhelmingly POSITIVE ATTITUDE of all posters, let's keep it this way please. We're all here to help each other make the most out of our track sessions.
A few answers to get you started:
Q: I would like to take my e90/e91/e92/e93 to the track for the first time. Do I need to worry about my car overheating?
A: No, not at this point. Go out there and have fun.
Q. What is this track that you speak of? What kind of events can I participate in?
A: References to the track on this thread are related to HPDE events (High Performance Driving Education) or Time Trials.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPDE
A typical day consists of 4-6 20-30min sessions. BMW CCA is a good starting point.
http://bmwcca.org
Or go to
http://motorsportsreg.com to see all the clubs offering HPDE events in your area.
Q. What if my car is an AT?
A: Don't let that stop you from enjoying your car at the track. Most people in this thread have AT cars. Most of us are weekend track warriors without dedicated track cars.
Is the AT ideal at the track? Heck, no.
Will an AT car see overheating problems before a similarly equipped MT car? You bet.
There are several workarounds to help you maximize your track time, keep reading.
Q. I've attended a few HPDE events and I'm now noticing power loss or I see an "Engine malfunction" error on the dash, what's going on?
A: Welcome to the limp mode party. The engine is going into protective mode and reducing power (limp mode) as you've pushed it across, or near, some of its built-in thresholds. This is what it looks like:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=383
Q. Ok, which threshold?
A: We've identified 4 major items so far that can induce limp modes specifically at the track:
1. Oil Temps
2. Coolant Temps
3. VANOS issues
4. Traction control
Q. How do I measure oil/water temps?
A: Oil: Look at your oil gauge. Temps above 270F will start causing power loss until eventually you see an engine malfunction error at or right before 300F.
Coolant: Use this hack to display water temps on your dash:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=135
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=147
Coolant limits:
Interesting post about measured temps:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=273
Q: What about VANOS and Traction control limp modes?
A: VANOS: Error codes will be logged indicating which solenoid is defective, use a Bavarian Technic (or other similar) tool to read your error codes
Traction: There's no confirmation yet on how to identify traction-control induced limp modes but here's an explanation as to why the occur:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=406
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=403
Q: What can I do to reduce or eliminate oil-related limp modes?
A: A lot of us run aftermarket Oil Coolers. Have a look at the OC column at the chart at the bottom of this FAQ to see how they're behaving at the track
Q: Can I run 2 different OCs in parallel?
A: Yes, you can, however we have no data logs for this configuration
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=421
Q: Can I build my own OC?
A: Yes, you can, however we have no data logs for this configuration
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...250+oil+cooler
Q: Any way to improve airflow to the OC?
A: Yes, by removing the brake duct on the passenger side
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=245
or removing the foglight/replacing the rather small 335i duct with the larger 335is/M3 ones:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=492
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=499
Q: What can I do to reduce or eliminate coolant-based limp modes?
A: You can get an aftermarket radiator (PWR, AR). Or you can replace your coolant with distilled water plus water wetter or Mocool or at least reduce the coolant ratio. Have a look at the coolant column of the chart at the bottom of this FAQ post to see what some of us are using.
Good advice here too:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=399
You can also remove the engine cover and cowl although we have no comparison data to determine if this helps.
One of the tuners introduced an alpha feature to drive the water pump at 100% at will, this will be tested in July for the first time:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=428
Q: Is there a DIY to change/replace/flush coolant on the N54?
A: Yes.
here's a DIY for a partial coolant flush on AT cars:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=493
and for MT cars:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=504
Please note that a complete flush requires dropping the FMIC to get to the blue/yellow drain plug. Your local Indy shop should be able to handle this for you. BYOC (Bring Your Own Coolant)
Q: I'm logging my water temps and they're volatile from turns to straights, why is that?
A: Here's a theory on that:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=251
Q: Is there an inherent cooling issue with the N54?
A: It appears so, here's a good explanation of the cylinder 5/6 cooling issue:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=417
Q: Can I datalog while driving at an HPDE event?
A: Tuner software/hardware will let you datalog but not without lugging a laptop or a Cobb device around, which is a major safety issue at HPDEs. If you find a way to secure such a device in the car and have it tech inspected successfully, please tell us how you did it!
Q: Any other fluids that I need to worry about at the track?
A: Some recomendations here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=131
Q: Why are you tracking Spec Miata times on your chart?
A: It's a good indication of how hard we drive our cars at the track. We debated the best method to do so for a while and ended up tracking Spec Miata times, where available. Trackpedia is a good source for this info. Combine that data with our success (or not) of running limp-mode free and our OC/Coolant configurations and bingo, you have a list of working solutions for the track. We welcome new track results, post them here and we'll update the chart.
Q: How can I add my track data to your chart?
A: Here's the link to the google docs spreadsheet:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spre...d0UlE&hl=en_GB
Obligatory reference to using a 335 when the M3 breaks down, along with the truth about tracking the 335
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=748
Have fun at the track
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First post, July 2010:
Just came back from a 2 day DE. Out of a total of 12 x 25min sessions I managed to see the checkered flag 3 times (first session of the day each day and one laid-back session) due to limp modes/overheating. When I ran with a tune enabled it was limp mode galore, with tune off it was the engine overheating warning. Oil temp around 300 each time. Tried both DCI and stock intake, with DCI I was able to get a few more laps before limp mode land.
I've had occasional cooling problems on the track before but never to this extent...there was a combination of events that exacerbated the issue: driving a bit more aggressive now (intermediate solo), ambient in mid-90s and PCA somehow managed to cram 6 x 25min sessions in a single day, there was no time to cool the car down. Started sessions with oil temps in the 230F range and jumped to 300F within 3-4 laps. Chasing 911 turbos and GT3s didn't help much either.
What cooling options do you recommend at this point? Larger oil cooler and by whom? I'm not ditching the 335i for track use, I just go out 10-15 days a year for fun. Just looking to see the checkered flag more often in the summer months.
thanks