Normal oil operating temps? N51

R.Thillman · 03-24-2021, 09:43 PM

I was at Angeles crest pushing the car fairly hard. Prob about 2000 miles on vr1 20w-50. yeah it’s not the correct viscosity but I had extra vr1 laying around so I threw it in. Usually I run 0w-40. What’s the highest temps you guys have seen? I think oil breaks down at 275 degrees F. Thanks in advanced.

edycol · 03-28-2021, 03:52 PM

What is "pushing hard" around?
I hit sever times limp mode on track where temperature hit 293. But, and this is big but, I did that at High Plains Racway east of Denver, where altitude is 4,900-5,100ft depending on section. ALtitude is by far worst for cooling. It is easier to push vehicle in Mojave desert at 130 degrees than Vail pass at 70 degrees at 11,000ft.
I still think your 275f at the regular road is a bit high. My take? Grade. W50 is a thick oil and it will create more parasitic drag. Not sure why you run VR1 as if your engine uses a bit of oil that ZDDP will accelerate clogging of the catalytic converter. I bet you if you run Mobil1 0W40 or Castrol 0W40, same road, same driving style, the temperature will be lower.
Oil will not break down at those temperatures, especially not oils like M1 0W40 or Castrol 0W40. If you run a vehicle at those very high temperatures, oxidation will increase a bit, but nothing concerning. If this is something you do regularly, consider installing heat exchanger or real oil cooler (I did).

whyzee125 · 03-28-2021, 09:34 PM

Damn I'd never put a viscosity that far off especially before a track day. First thing, change that oil and I bet you'll see a difference.

Phil325i · 03-29-2021, 06:04 AM

Suggest you check your owners manual. Figures seem to differ slightly depending on the country of use. For Europe it's:

'When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the engine oil temperature lies between approx 100C and 120C, approx 212F and 248F'.

R.Thillman · 04-12-2021, 01:53 PM

ok thanks for the repsonse. I was pushing the car about 80% always above 5k rpm. I just needed some fresh oil so i used VR1 and im swapping back to M1 ow-40 and was wondering if any one had similar temps. Btw the engine sounded so smooth with VR1 and no lifter tic at all lol.

edycol · 04-13-2021, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.Thillman

ok thanks for the repsonse. I was pushing the car about 80% always above 5k rpm. I just needed some fresh oil so i used VR1 and im swapping back to M1 ow-40 and was wondering if any one had similar temps. Btw the engine sounded so smooth with VR1 and no lifter tic at all lol.

Yes, bcs. thick and packed with ZDDP.

03-24-2021, 09:43 PM	#1
R.Thillman Enlisted Member 14 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 328i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	Normal oil operating temps? N51 I was at Angeles crest pushing the car fairly hard. Prob about 2000 miles on vr1 20w-50. yeah it’s not the correct viscosity but I had extra vr1 laying around so I threw it in. Usually I run 0w-40. What’s the highest temps you guys have seen? I think oil breaks down at 275 degrees F. Thanks in advanced. Attached Images
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03-28-2021, 03:52 PM	#2
edycol Major 1502 Rep 1,485 Posts Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	What is "pushing hard" around? I hit sever times limp mode on track where temperature hit 293. But, and this is big but, I did that at High Plains Racway east of Denver, where altitude is 4,900-5,100ft depending on section. ALtitude is by far worst for cooling. It is easier to push vehicle in Mojave desert at 130 degrees than Vail pass at 70 degrees at 11,000ft. I still think your 275f at the regular road is a bit high. My take? Grade. W50 is a thick oil and it will create more parasitic drag. Not sure why you run VR1 as if your engine uses a bit of oil that ZDDP will accelerate clogging of the catalytic converter. I bet you if you run Mobil1 0W40 or Castrol 0W40, same road, same driving style, the temperature will be lower. Oil will not break down at those temperatures, especially not oils like M1 0W40 or Castrol 0W40. If you run a vehicle at those very high temperatures, oxidation will increase a bit, but nothing concerning. If this is something you do regularly, consider installing heat exchanger or real oil cooler (I did).
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03-28-2021, 09:34 PM	#3
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1679 Rep 3,645 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	Damn I'd never put a viscosity that far off especially before a track day. First thing, change that oil and I bet you'll see a difference.
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03-29-2021, 06:04 AM	#4
Phil325i Brigadier General 616 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Suggest you check your owners manual. Figures seem to differ slightly depending on the country of use. For Europe it's: 'When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the engine oil temperature lies between approx 100C and 120C, approx 212F and 248F'. __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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04-12-2021, 01:53 PM	#5
R.Thillman Enlisted Member 14 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 328i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	ok thanks for the repsonse. I was pushing the car about 80% always above 5k rpm. I just needed some fresh oil so i used VR1 and im swapping back to M1 ow-40 and was wondering if any one had similar temps. Btw the engine sounded so smooth with VR1 and no lifter tic at all lol.
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