E39 M5 oil temp and coolant temp off the scale

[fatmansv8]

Thank you Richard . Is there performance issues then when the beast is running cold . I have to say I have noticed a bit of sluggishness especially when the temp goes off the scale . Is the ECU reacting to the information on the gauges .
FatmansV8

[E30M3SE]

Running cold will effect performance and fuel consumption.

[fatmansv8]

Thanks pal . Looks like time to change thermostat and temp switch. Hey still kicked a TT' s ass while not perfoming properly ( he was trying it on ) Thanks
FatmansV8

[RichardM5]

When running too cold the ECU will make the car run very rich, as said then will cause poor fuel consumption and loss of performance. It will also soot up the plugs and cause extra wear as the oil will be too cool and thus too thick to flow sufficiently through the small oil ways to lubricate things fully.

[fatmansv8]

Ok Richard thank you . Makes a lot of sense I'll get on the case immediately.
Thanks again
FatmansV8

[RichardM5]

If you plan on doing the job yourself, which is not too hard, I would recommend getting at least twice the number of O rings you need, both sizes. It's very easy to pinch and split these when you refit the thermostat housing. A bit of Vaseline or antifreeze on the rings helps a bit, but it's still advisable to have some spares.

[fatmansv8]

I don't think I will be doing the repair myself I couldn't even diagnose the problem lol . No it's going to a garage for sure . Thanks for the advice though Richard M5.
Thank you
FatmansV8

[RichardM5]

OK, well get the garage to have some spare O rings in stock! Or get some yourself from a dealer or BMMiniParts and put them in the car, when the garage ring you and tell you that there will be a delay due to the damaged O rings you can the tell then to use the ones you have! Two spare sets should be enough.

[fatmansv8]

I will do that definitely.

[Patrick Bateman]

Does anyone know why the needle on the coolant gauge on these sits left of centre when every single other BMW sit on centre?

[RichardM5]

They run the S62 cooler than any other BMW engine. For example, the M62 engine in the X5 will normally run at 110 C under light load. The higher temperature gives better economy, not a factor of the M5 design, but less leeway for temperatures increasing due to higher load.

[Patrick Bateman]

So they just haven't bothered calibrating the gauge/sensor for the cooling system on the M5?

[RichardM5]

Well, the indicated temperature is still within the normal range on the temperature dial, it's just not at 12 O'clock. The temperature gauge is only approximate anyway, 12 O'clock represents temperatures from about 85 C through to 115 C.

[Patrick Bateman]

So yes then. I'd have thought they'd have calibrated it for the S62 so that the needle would sit in the middle.

Not that it's a big deal, it can lead to some confusion though when you're new to the car and are used to hearing about identifying a dodgy thermostat by the needle never reaching 12 o'clock.

[TheAngryDog]

Richard, do you have the part numbers for the thermostat and the o rings please?

[E30M3SE]

It's all here.

[Patrick Bateman]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DE92...

You'll want number 9.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Sunday 8th December 17:24

[cosworth330]

fatmansv8 said:

Ok Richard thank you . Makes a lot of sense I'll get on the case immediately.
Thanks again
FatmansV8

I did say it would be the thermostat & to change it

Simon.

[RichardM5]

The thermostat itself won't cause the initial problem, that's the dual temperature switch on the thermostat, this is another problem.

[fatmansv8]

Bloody hell £384 to get a thermostat and coolant temp sensor fitted. Is that about right or not . It's not a main dealer price either. And and £376 for cam cover gaskets .