Expert: Sean Halliday - 5/3/2006

Question
hi sean

i have a 1989 BMW 320i. i have noticed that my oil temp gauge is currently sitting in the blue arc of the dial, approximately 1/4 way up. it used to sit about 1/2 way. i was wondering what could be causing this drop in temp, and could it be a bad thing for an engine to be running so cool all the time. thanks for your time...

Answer
do you mean the water temp?.....i dont think this car has a oil temp guage,it has a oil pressure guage,,,,,the engine temp should be round half way if its lower thats fine,weather does make the engine run cooler ,,winter and summer the temp will vary,,,,,check your coolant anyway,,,,,,,the oil pressure will have either a warning red light or guage on the dashboard,its shaped like a oil can,,,if this comes on its trouble .some cars may have a oil guage ,such as mercedes,,it will show you the pressure like a coolant guage.hope this helps.