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Thread: Oil cooler block off plate for winter?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    Redmond, OR
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    96 328IS, 08 IB E92 M3

    Oil cooler block off plate for winter?

    Hey guys,

    I live in Washington, the temps are starting to drop. IE: This morning it was 28* F. I have a short commute to work (about 5 miles, no highway), and I'm wondering if anyone makes oil cooler block off plates. Just a nice piece that mounts to the front in order to block airflow when moving, to allow some more oil temperature to build during my drive to and from home. I could always make something out of cardboard and zip-ties... But wanted something a bit nicer.

    Thanks in advance!
    Anthony Bartolini
    Loki Motorsports
    -2008 A30 E92 M3 6MT-
    -1996 328is Drift Car-
    Stock Internal M52
    M50 Manifold
    PTE 6262, ARP's, .140 MLS
    OBX T4 Top Mount
    Tial 44mm MVR
    Tial Q 50mm
    Open Dump Love <3

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
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    New England
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    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    Doesn’t the system have a thermostat in the oil filter housing? I have been driving mine year round in NH for the past 7 years. I run 0W40.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    Redmond, OR
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    96 328IS, 08 IB E92 M3
    I'm unsure to be honest. I don't know the S65 oil system anatomy too well yet. I will start the car, let the idle come down, and give it another minute or two on really cold mornings... Drive it easy (under 2500 rpm operation) until I get some good oil temp. Generally, when I arrive at work from my commute the oil temp will be around 160* F. Whenever I am driving down the road at say 40 MPH though in 4th gear, the oil temp will not rise. It will stick at that temperature, then continue to rise once I arrive at a stop light or park the car. This is what makes me think the oil cooler is doing its job too well, and the wind from driving is what is keeping the motor from warming up completely while moving.

    This behavior is perfectly fine in the summer months when I WANT to cool the car as best as possible, but in the cold, I'd like it to generate temperature as soon as possible for proper wear and tear reasons.

    EDIT: I guess the oil thermostat could be stuck OPEN..? Anyone know how to troubleshoot this?
    Last edited by Loki Motorsport; 12-11-2017 at 07:47 PM. Reason: Added text
    Anthony Bartolini
    Loki Motorsports
    -2008 A30 E92 M3 6MT-
    -1996 328is Drift Car-
    Stock Internal M52
    M50 Manifold
    PTE 6262, ARP's, .140 MLS
    OBX T4 Top Mount
    Tial 44mm MVR
    Tial Q 50mm
    Open Dump Love <3

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    25,402
    My Cars
    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    Thermostats often have a small bypass. Blocking airflow to the cooler might help. There is a thermostat in the filter housing but I am not sure it is sold separately from the housing. 5 miles really isn’t long enough to get 10W60 hot in winter.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Redmond, OR
    Posts
    111
    My Cars
    96 328IS, 08 IB E92 M3
    Thanks for the replies friend! That's a bummer if the thermostat is integrated with the filter housing.. I'm sure that ain't cheap. But yes, I am running red-line 10W60. Do you happen to know the oil cooler dimensions so I can cut a piece of cardboard to size? lol

    Also, as I described above with the heating up behavior.. Does your car reflect the same during the cold months?
    Anthony Bartolini
    Loki Motorsports
    -2008 A30 E92 M3 6MT-
    -1996 328is Drift Car-
    Stock Internal M52
    M50 Manifold
    PTE 6262, ARP's, .140 MLS
    OBX T4 Top Mount
    Tial 44mm MVR
    Tial Q 50mm
    Open Dump Love <3

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    25,402
    My Cars
    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    Honestly, I never pay much attention to the temp. I just drive gently until the car is warm and if I do a few days of short driving where it never gets warm I try to add in a longer drive as soon as possible to help burn up contaminants in the oil. If all you use the car for is a 5 mile commute, 10W60 is probably not a good choice for winter. Not sure the car is a good choice. Is your adjustable redline maxing out? I will try to remember to check mine the next time I drive a few miles from a cold start.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Redmond, OR
    Posts
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    My Cars
    96 328IS, 08 IB E92 M3
    The car gets driven on the weekends as well... Plenty enough to cycle everything to a proper OT (Car events, groceries, errands, etc...). It just so happens to also get me to and from work as well. But yes, 9/10 times the adjustable redline will be maxed (8200 RPM) on a commute to or from work. My oil temps are generally around 170-180*F when I am ready to shut the car off in the mornings.
    Last edited by Loki Motorsport; 12-13-2017 at 12:42 PM. Reason: added text
    Anthony Bartolini
    Loki Motorsports
    -2008 A30 E92 M3 6MT-
    -1996 328is Drift Car-
    Stock Internal M52
    M50 Manifold
    PTE 6262, ARP's, .140 MLS
    OBX T4 Top Mount
    Tial 44mm MVR
    Tial Q 50mm
    Open Dump Love <3

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