I'm a new owner of a used R56 Justa 6 speed with 13,500 miles. Returned from a 30 minute drive and checked the (synthetic) oil. When I pulled the dipstick out, there was some oil smoke coming out of the dipstick tube. I didn't expect it considering the short drive, and the oil level was OK. Is this normal?

 

I've seen that on a couple cars. I don't think it's a problem.

 

It's actually oil vapor in valve cover, normal.

 

this actually surprised me as well, but apparently is normal. if you open the oil cap there will be much more

 

That's reassuring. Thanks!

 

My scan gauge routinely shows oil Temps of 225 degrees F, even in the dead of winter. It seems to stay at the top of the coolant temp range, though coolant cycles between 165 and 225 as the thermostat opens and closes.

DOC

 

So the oil runs hot. Is 225 degrees typical for stop and go driving?

 

I have been looking into this for a little while now. On mine...i have the chrono package.. it runs a little over the half way tick. The half way tick is 210 degree's as it turns out. Well, when I am on the highway and doing uh.....a little speed for a while....it runs at about 225. VERY (in theory...so I have heard...never did it myself ...officer...) spirited driving make it go up to about 240. (Speeds north of 110).

I think (hope) this is normal. To answer your question, 225 for stop and go is high in my opinion. 225 on the highway over 85 for an extended period, 225 is normal for me.

Oh and my engine temp is always dead center.

 

Oil lubes best at 180 degrees, all synthetics have a 4% boil off percentage. Whenever I unscrew my oil cap I see a lot of oil vapor swirling around, it's normal.