323i oil cooler?

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Martin323i
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Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:46 pm

Hi

Just a quicky: I swapped my 2.0l to 2.3l a while back. Now I'm wondering if the 2.3l should have an oil cooler? When I open the rocker cover cap, after driving the car, the oil gives off 'steam' - Is this normal?

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Martin
astondg
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Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:25 pm

What kind of driving were you doing?

An oil cooler shouldn't be necessary in normal driving. My 323i doesn't have one and I have raced it a bit over the last 2 years (part of that in summer here in Australia when the outside temp can get fairly high) and I don't think I have had any problems. I don't have a oil temp guage so I can't be sure but the water temp usually never goes over half way.

I am thinking about getting an oil cooler too but only because of racing, for any other driving it should be ok I think.

Aston
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Martin323i
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:33 am

Every now and again I do push my car hard. But even when driving 'normally' the oil also seems to 'steam'.

Yeah I live in South Africa, so summer conditions can also be quite hot.

Has your car's engine been changed? If not I guess that an oil cooler wasn't standard on the 323i.
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WerkdE30
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:17 am

323i has no oil cooler at least the aus delivered ones dont 325i has one. i think u can put one in fairly easily. Not a bad idea if u live in a hot country and drive hard and will extend engine life.

That "steam" sounds like normal crankcase gasses i wouldnt be too concerned about a few whisps of smoke when u take the cap off after driving.
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Martin323i
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:17 am

WerkdE30 wrote:That "steam" sounds like normal crankcase gasses i wouldnt be too concerned about a few whisps of smoke when u take the cap off after driving.
Great news, thanks. :D
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