2012 328i convertible how can i check coolant temp

[Bill328icnvert]

This is my first BMW. Is there a way to check the coolant temperature? The dash gauge indicates oil temp only.
Thanks
Bill

[Saii]

This is my first BMW. Is there a way to check the coolant temperature? The dash gauge indicates oil temp only.
Thanks
Bill
I have an 08 328 and I have to trust in the cars computer to let me know if something is wrong or even low. If you have good hand scanner it will tell you the coolant temp but other than that I don't think there is unless you add something

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[Bill328icnvert]

Ok, thanks. I saw something on youtube where the guy used the computer and somehow got to the coolant temperature, but don't think he had a 3 series. I couldn't get my 328 to do it. Thought maybe there was a way. Thanks for the reply.

[Saii]

I'm not sure on the newer 3 series but I know the older ones are by the obd port

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[cykrus]

Here is how to do it using your board computer and no OBD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAd86TnqxWc

[Saii]

Here is how to do it using your board computer and no OBD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAd86TnqxWc
I learned something new today...thankyou cykrus

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[Bill328icnvert]

OK,thanks. That youtube is a good one. I can now see my engine coolant temp in celsius. Also I bought a "heads-up" display unit that plugs into the onboard computer that displays the temp in fahrenheit. The car is telling me 102 degrees celsius and the heads-up is saying 215 degrees fahrenheit.
Now my question is, at what temperature should my engine operate? I'm sitting in my driveway idling, it's about 90 degrees outside right now and the engine is running about 215 degrees. To me, that is too high. I had the radiator flushed and replaced the coolant. The mechanic says no leaks and everything is normal with the coolant. But is 215 degrees too high? The radiator fan came on at about 190 degrees and is still running but the temperature is holding at 215.
Like I mentioned, this is my first BMW.....do they run that hot?
Thanks for any input.
Bill

[opjose]

Yes this is done on purpose.

The engine controller uses temperature maps to determine what temp range to use for given conditions.

When the engine has little load it allows the temperature to go high for better fuel economy via lower oil friction.

Put the engine under high loads and the temperature will go down as the management unit cools it off.

That is why you do not find a temperature gauge on the cluster. It would freak people out to see their engine running normally.

"Hot" is 240+, normal is anything below 220-230. A very small margin.

As long as your fan does not sound like a turbine, don't worry about the temps.

If you hear the loud turbine wine, it is time to replace the water pump and thermostat.

[opjose]

You will KNOW when the fan noise is excessive... There will be no question what-so-ever about it.

Otherwise forget about it. I made the same mistake after my pump failed and I started fretting about engine temps.

[Bill328icnvert]

Ok, thanks. Valuable tips. I'm just not accustomed to seeing the engine temp so high. Being in Las Vegas where the outside air temperature can reach well into the 100's, I was a little concerned when I hooked up the heads-up display and it showed the engine fluctuating around 220 degrees. And it did fluctuate!! Made me so worried I disconnected the display so I wouldn't see the changing coolant temperature numbers. I thought the display was giving me erroneous information. The in dash oil temperature gauge stays at or below the mid range of 250 so my brain kept telling me it's normal but watching the coolant temp dance around 220 or over made me crazy!! So, I'll not worry about (as much) any more.
Thanks again for the replies.
Bill

[DuWop]

The mechanical fan has been removed from my 1998 Z3 2.8L automatic roadster, and a 4 core all aluminum radiator installed. The OEM condenser cooling fan alone keeps my engine temperature less than 210 f with ambient temp in the high 90s in all driving conditions. 220 f would make me nervous. I don't know if there is pressure relief on the cooling system or at what psi it opens, if it does. 220f is worth about 3 psig steam pressure. http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/saturated-steam-properties-d_273.html

[opjose]

The engine management unit will try to keep the car within specific temperature ranges as programmatically defined.

The guys that track their cars report operating up to 260F.

220 is not unusual for the N55.