[Grimsbylander]

Hello All, I have a possible issue that I'd appreciate a bit of opinion on. First, it seems to me the engine runs warm. Though the temp gauge never goes above normal I'm always surprised at how warm the engine is even 2-3 hours after it's been turned off. Tonight it's 16C (60F) here and 1.5 hours after I get home the plastics under the hood (air box, covers) are still really hot to touch. 2.5 hours later the car is up to temp in literally one minute! Just seems strange to me. Any car I've ever had would be cooled right down in 2.5 hours.
Is there a way to check the running temp without having to rely on just the needle gauge?
60,000kms
B58
No mods

[ezaircon4jc]

I'm pretty sure that's normal. IIRC, the engine retains heat to be ready for the next start (my understanding from what I've read).

[NGT2]

I'm new but my understanding is there is a common theme of the engine being designed to get to temp as fast as possible and would stand to reason that they'd carry that over to retaining the warmth for the next start up.

[RonronEG]

Definitely normal, here's some reading from when BMW first mentioned doing it:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/bmw-...tech-6014/amp/

[BMW012]

very interesting. even with cold starts, i have noticed that my m550i warms up a lot faster than my previous vehicles. its usually warmed up driving down the block. thought it was because of the v8!

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by BMW012

very interesting. even with cold starts, i have noticed that my m550i warms up a lot faster than my previous vehicles. its usually warmed up driving down the block. thought it was because of the v8!

Nope. I have the straight 6 and mine is the same. Warmed up by the time I get out of the neighborhood.

[ztx84]

Its definitely designed to do this so I wouldn't worry - I've noticed its great at retaining heat even when left for quite a long time.

[buddyboy]

These are air to water cooled engines so the retain heat a lot longer but also don't suffer heat soak too much as a result. If you. Monitor the coolant temp, oil temp, IAts and you will see it doesn't really run hot enough to cause issues

[Grimsbylander]

Great feedback gents! Thanks!

[SundaySnores]

Originally Posted by Grimsbylander

Hello All, I have a possible issue that I'd appreciate a bit of opinion on. First, it seems to me the engine runs warm. Though the temp gauge never goes above normal I'm always surprised at how warm the engine is even 2-3 hours after it's been turned off. Tonight it's 16C (60F) here and 1.5 hours after I get home the plastics under the hood (air box, covers) are still really hot to touch. 2.5 hours later the car is up to temp in literally one minute! Just seems strange to me. Any car I've ever had would be cooled right down in 2.5 hours.
Is there a way to check the running temp without having to rely on just the needle gauge?
60,000kms
B58
No mods

First thing I noticed about my 2022 was how long it stayed warm for. Chalked it up to the active grill shutters and being that much more engine to cool down.

[540iSUP]

The B58 was designed to keep warm. The reason is because of heat cycles. Most people will drive to one place, park for a while, and then get in their car and drive to the next spot. The engine retains the heat after shutting off so that it can get up to operating temps faster and it puts less heat cycle strain on rubber and plastic parts. This is also the rationale behind the active shutters.

[OmahaDB]

I noticed the same thing when I bought a Mercedes. That sucker would stay hot for hours and hours after shutdown. The engine compartment is well insulated. I don't know if American cars are doing the same or not, but it seems most or all of the Germans are. On the BMW they even shut the grille, there's not much air circulating unless the ECU decides it's needed.

[Ptree1822]

Sounds like normal operation. you can always check your coolant levels. the larger tank is for the engine and the small one is for your manifold and turbo charger. and remember the radiator blinds close retaining heat in the engine bay as well as the motor does run hot at operating temp 220 degrees f plus. normal engine thermostat open around 212. and b58 does eat coolant bc it runs warm. if coolant is low could cause engine to heat up faster but good the check every now and then. and if really cold just cause the engine is running the flaps will stay closed also helping in raising the engine temp quicker till reached.

[Ptree1822]

Originally Posted by 540iSUP

The B58 was designed to keep warm. The reason is because of heat cycles. Most people will drive to one place, park for a while, and then get in their car and drive to the next spot. The engine retains the heat after shutting off so that it can get up to operating temps faster and it puts less heat cycle strain on rubber and plastic parts. This is also the rationale behind the active shutters.

it runs warm actually to meet emission standards. one reason the m4 stop being produced bc they were missing a extra charcoal canister that the m3 f80 had. and the rad blinds are technically for emission control too the help vehicle reach operating temp faster limiting the amount of harmful gases for cold burn of fuel being released into atmosphere.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Ptree1822

...and b58 does eat coolant bc it runs warm...

Engines don't "eat" coolant. If the system is low, there's a leak somewhere. Could even be the cap.

[540iSUP]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Engines don't "eat" coolant. If the system is low, there's a leak somewhere. Could even be the cap.

Most likely the cap. If you see white residue, that's dried coolant.

[Ptree1822]

Originally Posted by 540iSUP

Most likely the cap. If you see white residue, that's dried coolant.

Then your cap needs silicone spray lube. wurth is approved. Majority of time its from spillage from filling. glass cleaner and compressed air clean it up nice.

[Ptree1822]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Engines don't "eat" coolant. If the system is low, there's a leak somewhere. Could even be the cap.

engine that run warm do "eat" or "consume" coolant naturally. the coolant breaks down from heat over time and in turn boils off causing a loss that is not leaked out.

its so common that BMW has a sib about it SIB 17 02 17. check for leaks if not leaks found top off and be on its way because it "consumes coolant from its warm operating temperature. and improper bleed initially.


n55's consumed coolant too naturally. nature of the beast the bmw engines run hot naturally. hence why you should check your coolant periodically.

[Allen Aquino]

I can absolutely testify to that they really gat issues.....Speaking from great experience but we thank God for life now

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Ptree1822

engine that run warm do "eat" or "consume" coolant naturally. the coolant breaks down from heat over time and in turn boils off causing a loss that is not leaked out.

its so common that BMW has a sib about it SIB 17 02 17. check for leaks if not leaks found top off and be on its way because it "consumes coolant from its warm operating temperature. and improper bleed initially.


n55's consumed coolant too naturally. nature of the beast the bmw engines run hot naturally. hence why you should check your coolant periodically.

Without a leak (or vent), how can a pressurized, closed system burn-off coolant? NASCAR stock cars have a vent to expel the boiled water; stock cars run straight water. AFAIK, passenger cars don't have an atmosphere vent.