Exploding Coolant at Track

bcoffin23 · 08-17-2019, 02:16 PM

Hey Everyone,

Just ran my first track day in my 2006 330i. I was at WSIR and ambient tempts were about 92-94f. I was running in the high 1:30s in the advanced group. After about 5-6 laps each session I’d go into limp because of coolant tempts.

When I’d get back to my pit and open the hood, I’d always have about 1/2 gallon of coolant throughout the engine bay. Stemming from my overflow tank.

No issues now that I am driving normal, but always while on track.

Ideas?

Eagle1oh7 · 08-17-2019, 03:37 PM

I didn't have issues, but I did hit the track in October last year. Have you refreshed your cooling system since you've owned it?

bcoffin23 · 08-17-2019, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle1oh7

I didn't have issues, but I did hit the track in October last year. Have you refreshed your cooling system since you've owned it?

I have not.

What were the ambient tempts and your driving level? Any cooling mods?

desertman123 · 08-17-2019, 03:53 PM

Just seems like you got her a bit toasty: hotlaps on a hot day. Definitely refresh the system if you haven't and take a look at a few cooling mods too.

- oil/coolant heat exchanger retrofit
- oil cooler retrofit
- full aluminum radiator

Really just anything to shed more heat. There's DIYs all over the forums.

While we're on the topic lol it's a good idea to replace the hose that goes into the head, there's an aluminum flange available on ebay.

bcoffin23 · 08-17-2019, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

Just seems like you got her a bit toasty: hotlaps on a hot day. Definitely refresh the system if you haven't and take a look at a few cooling mods too.

- oil/coolant heat exchanger retrofit
- oil cooler retrofit
- full aluminum radiator

Really just anything to shed more heat. There's DIYs all over the forums.

While we're on the topic lol it's a good idea to replace the hose that goes into the head, there's an aluminum flange available on ebay.

Thanks for the input! Which of those 3 mods have you seen give the biggest return?

desertman123 · 08-17-2019, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcoffin23

Thanks for the input! Which of those 3 mods have you seen give the biggest return?

Haven't done them myself but I do know chris_flies did the heat exchanger and tracks his car so it works well. Good compromise if you don't want to figure out where to mount the oil cooler.

For both retrofits you can grab the parts used on ebay + new gaskets cheaper than the aluminum radiator. I imagine with the right bumper/fender liners you can do a full 335i oil cooler retrofit easily.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...hp?t=1519384#2

I probably should do one of these being I'm in FL..

bcoffin23 · 08-17-2019, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

Haven't done them myself but I do know chris_flies did the heat exchanger and tracks his car so it works well. Good compromise if you don't want to figure out where to mount the oil cooler.

For both retrofits you can grab the parts used on ebay + new gaskets cheaper than the aluminum radiator. I imagine with the right bumper/fender liners you can do a full 335i oil cooler retrofit easily.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...hp?t=1519384#2

I probably should do one of these being I'm in FL..

Great! Thank you for the input

cwlo · 08-18-2019, 03:49 PM

Not sure the oil/water exchanger retrofit will help with high coolant temps....might actually make it worse. Go with the 335i oil cooler instead.

wayman519 · 08-18-2019, 06:42 PM

Make sure your expansion tank bleeder screw is closed. Looks like a plastic philips screw.

bcoffin23 · 08-18-2019, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwlo

Not sure the oil/water exchanger retrofit will help with high coolant temps....might actually make it worse. Go with the 335i oil cooler instead.

Will lowering my oil temps also reduce my coolant tempts on the n52?

chris_flies · 08-18-2019, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcoffin23

Will lowering my oil temps also reduce my coolant tempts on the n52?

It will, as long as you aren't using the coolant to cool the oil (like the oil-water heat exchanger retrofit).

If you're having coolant temp issues, I'd start with a radiator comb (I think Schwaben tools makes one, check ECS) and clean up the fins on your radiator. It's a cheap way to possibly rescue your old radiator. I'd also recommend getting some Redline Water Wetter. It works really well at improving the efficiency of the coolant, which helps lower temps. Just add about half a bottle to your reservoir, and you'll be set.

I've run VIR when it was 100 degrees out without a hint of limp mode. My car seems to be the only BMW in existence without cooling issues

Eagle1oh7 · 08-19-2019, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcoffin23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle1oh7

I didn't have issues, but I did hit the track in October last year. Have you refreshed your cooling system since you've owned it?

I have not.

What were the ambient tempts and your driving level? Any cooling mods?

All I did was do the heat exchanger retrofit. The temps that day were 80F and it was CCW13 at Button Willow. The only issue I had was the power steering fluid heating up and expanding out of the reservoir so I got the power steering cooler from CSF for Xmas. My plan was to upgrade my cooling system but this year has been hard financially.

bcoffin23 · 08-22-2019, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle1oh7

All I did was do the heat exchanger retrofit. The temps that day were 80F and it was CCW13 at Button Willow. The only issue I had was the power steering fluid heating up and expanding out of the reservoir so I got the power steering cooler from CSF for Xmas. My plan was to upgrade my cooling system but this year has been hard financially.

Were you having coolant temp issues before you put in the heat exchanger?

bcoffin23 · 08-22-2019, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

It will, as long as you aren't using the coolant to cool the oil (like the oil-water heat exchanger retrofit).

If you're having coolant temp issues, I'd start with a radiator comb (I think Schwaben tools makes one, check ECS) and clean up the fins on your radiator. It's a cheap way to possibly rescue your old radiator. I'd also recommend getting some Redline Water Wetter. It works really well at improving the efficiency of the coolant, which helps lower temps. Just add about half a bottle to your reservoir, and you'll be set.

I've run VIR when it was 100 degrees out without a hint of limp mode. My car seems to be the only BMW in existence without cooling issues

Awesome! Likely am just going to buy the CSF radiator for the N52 and run 100% water with water wetter.

chris_flies · 08-22-2019, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcoffin23

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

It will, as long as you aren't using the coolant to cool the oil (like the oil-water heat exchanger retrofit).

If you're having coolant temp issues, I'd start with a radiator comb (I think Schwaben tools makes one, check ECS) and clean up the fins on your radiator. It's a cheap way to possibly rescue your old radiator. I'd also recommend getting some Redline Water Wetter. It works really well at improving the efficiency of the coolant, which helps lower temps. Just add about half a bottle to your reservoir, and you'll be set.

I've run VIR when it was 100 degrees out without a hint of limp mode. My car seems to be the only BMW in existence without cooling issues

Awesome! Likely am just going to buy the CSF radiator for the N52 and run 100% water with water wetter.

I would not advise pure water with the sensitivity of the Magnesium in the block to corrosion. Run BMW coolant; pure water is only useful in race cars that may spill fluids on track, and coolant is particularly slippery.

Eagle1oh7 · 08-23-2019, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcoffin23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle1oh7

All I did was do the heat exchanger retrofit. The temps that day were 80F and it was CCW13 at Button Willow. The only issue I had was the power steering fluid heating up and expanding out of the reservoir so I got the power steering cooler from CSF for Xmas. My plan was to upgrade my cooling system but this year has been hard financially.

Were you having coolant temp issues before you put in the heat exchanger?

Nope. I just thought it'd be worthwhile, and it was...kinda haha

hassmaschine · 08-24-2019, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

I would not advise pure water with the sensitivity of the Magnesium in the block to corrosion. Run BMW coolant; pure water is only useful in race cars that may spill fluids on track, and coolant is particularly slippery.

No magnesium ever touches coolant in the N52 block.

But yeah, running no coolant on a street car is not a great idea.

bcoffin23 · 08-27-2019, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

No magnesium ever touches coolant in the N52 block.

But yeah, running no coolant on a street car is not a great idea.

Why’s it not a good idea?

08-17-2019, 02:16 PM	#1
bcoffin23 Second Lieutenant 39 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Competition Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Huntington Beach iTrader: (0)	Exploding Coolant at Track Hey Everyone, Just ran my first track day in my 2006 330i. I was at WSIR and ambient tempts were about 92-94f. I was running in the high 1:30s in the advanced group. After about 5-6 laps each session I’d go into limp because of coolant tempts. When I’d get back to my pit and open the hood, I’d always have about 1/2 gallon of coolant throughout the engine bay. Stemming from my overflow tank. No issues now that I am driving normal, but always while on track. Ideas? __________________ 2009 Lexus GX470
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-17-2019, 03:37 PM	#2
Eagle1oh7 Lieutenant Colonel 287 Rep 1,710 Posts Drives: '11 328i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Chula Vista CA iTrader: (0)	I didn't have issues, but I did hit the track in October last year. Have you refreshed your cooling system since you've owned it? __________________ DONE: Seibon CF Hood, M3 Rep, MSport rear w/DD CF Diffuser, M3 Rep Skirts, Seibon CSL trunklid, Forgestar F14 18s w/Michelin PSS, Eisenmann catback, AA Headers, BPC Stage 2, Charcoal Delete+revMotor+AFE Drop In filter FUTURE MODS: LED headlights, CF rooftop, M3 Suspension Conversion, Dinan CAI Mod
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-17-2019, 03:53 PM	#4
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Just seems like you got her a bit toasty: hotlaps on a hot day. Definitely refresh the system if you haven't and take a look at a few cooling mods too. - oil/coolant heat exchanger retrofit - oil cooler retrofit - full aluminum radiator Really just anything to shed more heat. There's DIYs all over the forums. While we're on the topic lol it's a good idea to replace the hose that goes into the head, there's an aluminum flange available on ebay. __________________ My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me! Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-18-2019, 03:49 PM	#8
cwlo Private First Class 84 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 04 m3 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Not sure the oil/water exchanger retrofit will help with high coolant temps....might actually make it worse. Go with the 335i oil cooler instead.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-18-2019, 06:42 PM	#9
wayman519 Second Lieutenant 79 Rep 250 Posts Drives: E82 N52 6MT A51 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X2 [0.00] 2009 128i [0.00]	Make sure your expansion tank bleeder screw is closed. Looks like a plastic philips screw.
	Appreciate 1 Phyrexia502.50 Quote