Engine Compartment Temp

[jrmccain]

I did a search for this and didn't find anything that really addressed my topic. With the concerns about high engine temps I'm wondering what mods or improvements can be made to an X5M to lower the engine compartment temperatures.

As a first step I thought about using something like Water Wetter to lower the coolant temp, but it occurred to me that this would probably have little effect to the overall compartment temperature. Am I wrong to think that nothing short of fresh air flowing in the compartment will lower temps?

[socale39]

Ventilated hood. It's really the only viable solution towards reducing compartment temps. The only real benefit of a vented hood is reduced amount of heat soak the engine will experience, which can inevitably change performance. Engines react differently to heat soak so it's hard to say if the ventilated hood would really make any difference on these engines and without testing there's no real answer.

As for coolant temps, one thing to remember is that a colder running engine is actually less efficient. Every engine is developed to run within certain parameters with regards to temperature so making an engine run cooler is usually not a good idea. That being said water wetter or any other product designed to make an engine run cooler is pointless. This is because temp sensors throughout your cooling system monitor the temps and those readings determine whether your thermostat needs to open, aux fan needs to run or even the speed of your radiator cooling fan. My point is no matter what you put into your cooling system, the temp will also stay within BMW's designated range due to these systems.

[jrmccain]

Thanks, you've confirmed some of my own suspicions. I guess when it comes to engine temps, or high engine temps, there are two factors: performance and longevity. My goal in lower temps would be primarily to prevent engine/component failure which seems to be a problem with the N/S63. I didn't consider the performance aspect of engine temps. You mention the ventilated hood, given the known issues, I'm surprised that BMW didn't do just that, provide a ventilated hood. Maybe they didn't consider it such a significant issue?

Concerning the coolant additive, I agree that the ecu parameters would override any temp reduction achieved through the additive. My only experience with this type of product is my motorcycles. Of course they don't have the complicated electronics that cars have. But it might help with the cool down cycle, I don't know.

[socale39]

The only issue with a ventilated hood is that the engine compartment is then exposed to the elements of weather such as snow, dust, rain, etc which could actually shorten the life length of rubber hoses, seals, etc. This is more than likely the reason why we rarely see ventilated hoods from the factory.

[Crazy1323]

Catless downpipes can decrease undergo of temps significantly.

[mitch808]

Originally Posted by Crazy1323

Catless downpipes can decrease undergo of temps significantly.

Correction

Ceramic coated catless pipe. Between jethot and swaintech; both have been amazing for the crap I ship them for coatings.

More importantly, this product does wonders!!!!
http://ptpturboblankets.com/BMW-S63-Turbo-Blanket.html

[mhkm]

It seemed to me that OP was asking about ways to lower the engine compartment temperature, not the engine operating temp per se, so no need to worry about inefficient engine operation.

A ventilated hood seems an attractive way (in theory, at least), to lower engine compartment temps, but again as you say, there is no direct proof of this. As for keeping out dirt, particles, adverse weather, etc... I don't believe this is an issue either because the vents on most hoods I have seen are slanted (oblique) and are angled such as to facilitate exit of air from the front grill area...

[Doc GTO]

I did water wetter in the coolant and the intercoolant fluid. It also reduces the surface tension in the system to help the flow besides giving it better thermal properties. It's a no brainier for the water to air intercooler. I have used it in my supercharged race cars for years and it does help bring down IATs quicker then without.

I live in Florida so I would run distiller water with Water Wetter in my M3 race car with a splash of BMW coolant for the lubrication properties of the water pump.

As far as underwood temps, my God do they get hot.... Lol. I would say an aftermarket vented hood like my factory Porsche hoods had and race-cat or catless downpipes with jet hot coating or thermal wrap.

[mhkm]

Good info there Doc, thnx.

[jrmccain]

"As far as underwood temps, my God do they get hot.... Lol. I would say an aftermarket vented hood like my factory Porsche hoods had and race-cat or catless downpipes with jet hot coating or thermal wrap."

This is the conclusion that I've come to. It seems like creating airflow and reducing the exhaust restriction is the best solution to the high temps.

[mhkm]

Does anyone have a vented hood on their X5M or has anyone installed vents on their stock hood? Perhaps they could chime in .. .. ..

[Draper]

I guess I'm missing the point of the question.

Are you concerned about your engine compartment temps?

Have there been many reported cases of engines failing due to high engine compartment temps?

[m5 guy]

He's concerned with the volcanic levels of heat that roasts everything under the hood. I've had several hoses and plastics replaced do to heat rot.

The solution I'm implementing is to go with ceramic coated catless downpipes combined with ptp's engine specific blanket sandwiched between the downpipes and oem metal heat shields.

[Gatoferoz25]

This is my X5 M-Sport 50i with VORSTEINER Hood it does help a lot with the engine heat

[mhkm]

I didn't know Vorsteiner had a X5M vented hood.
Is that painted carbon fiber? And how are you sure that it has reduced your engine room temps?

[Gatoferoz25]

It's a CF hood they only made a hand full of them and I have one already lol
The hood its painted to match my truck just left the vents in original CF

[Gatoferoz25]

Originally Posted by mhkm

I didn't know Vorsteiner had a X5M vented hood.
Is that painted carbon fiber? And how are you sure that it has reduced your engine room temps?

It's a CF hood they only made a hand full of them and I have one already lol
The hood its painted to match my truck just left the vents in original CF
My OEM HOOD It just to get really hot after I park my car coming home from work, now is just a bit not even half so I assume this is y

[jrmccain]

Originally Posted by m3 guy

He's concerned with the volcanic levels of heat that roasts everything under the hood. I've had several hoses and plastics replaced do to heat rot.

The solution I'm implementing is to go with ceramic coated catless downpipes combined with ptp's engine specific blanket sandwiched between the downpipes and oem metal heat shields.

Exactly. I am trying to find the best way to reduce the under hood temps that create an environment in which engine/component failure or breakdown is inevitable. For me it's about longevity, I'd like to keep my M for awhile.

[heatmizr]

Originally Posted by Doc GTO

I did water wetter in the coolant and the intercoolant fluid.

This makes it sound like there two separate coolant systems - One for engine and one for intercooler/turbos?
I thought it was one system, but with two coolant routes for those two locations. Can it control which system is open/closed separately?

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by m5 guy

He's concerned with the volcanic levels of heat that roasts everything under the hood. I've had several hoses and plastics replaced do to heat rot.

The solution I'm implementing is to go with ceramic coated catless downpipes combined with ptp's engine specific blanket sandwiched between the downpipes and oem metal heat shields.

Hey m5 guy,

Did you ever install the ptp blankets? any issues. clearance or other?

[m5 guy]

Originally Posted by denaliman

Hey m5 guy,

Did you ever install the ptp blankets? any issues. clearance or other?

Yes sir! Have it installed and it does it's job well. Fits great. Remove the side plates first before installing to sandwich the sides in. It actually goes over your metal heat shield. So plastic engine cover, ptp blanket, metal heat shield, downpipes.

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by m5 guy

Yes sir! Have it installed and it does it's job well. Fits great. Remove the side plates first before installing to sandwich the sides in. It actually goes over your metal heat shield. So plastic engine cover, ptp blanket, metal heat shield, downpipes.

Thanks. Did you need to tie it down using the eyelets? So I guess just remove the O2 sensor wire and tuck over turbos, reinstall wire? Do your inter coolers run a long time after you turn the engine off? Any concern keeping all that heat in and damaging the turbos?