[F25User01]

Hi all,

I have tried looking just about everywhere for information about where the oil temperature sensor is on my N52 powered 2011 X3 xDrive2.8 with a built date of 07/11, in case this matters.

I am having an issue where my Oil Temperature Gauge is acting up. At one point I got an overheating warning, so I immediately parked the car. A day later, I warmed the car for 15 mins (I am in the Northeast and it was 25 degrees when I did this), oil temp gauge was all the way to the left. I took it for a drive with an OBDII scanner hooked up monitoring the coolant temp. After 4 mins of driving, the oil gauge temperature jumped to the middle and then 3/4 in less than a minute but the coolant temp consistently stayed at ~210.

I don't seem to have the oil temperature sensor on the side of the block (I looked under the intake with a borescope), even though some OEM parts websites say that I do. I looked through realoem website and the diagram doesn't show any oil temperature sensor.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_3732

I've also read that the the oil temp gauge uses the oil level sensor to measure oil temp. I did change the oil sensor with a non-oem one about a week ago because it was reading low oil level when it wasn't. So I am just trying to understand if this is the culprit before I drain the oil again.

I am getting conflicting information, some places say that the coolant temp sensor in front of the block is used to measure oil temp, some places say there's a separate sensor and some places say it's the oil level sensor.

Most of the F25 posts refer to the N55 and N20 engines and not the N52.

Thanks in advance.

[Wgosma]

Pic is from my 2012 X3 28i….N52 motor. Look up near oil filter housing, I believe this is oil temp sensor (brass housing).

[F25User01]

Thank you, Wgsoma, but I think that is the oil pressure sensor. Do you know if it also measures the oil temp?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_3753

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by F25User01

Thank you, Wgsoma, but I think that is the oil pressure sensor. Do you know if it also measures the oil temp?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_3753

You're correct...it's the oil pressure sensor/switch; single function I believe....I'm not sure where oil temp sensor is, darn....take a look down lower, but perhaps this is coolant (water) temp sensor, hmm....darn!
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...36#13621433076

[F25User01]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

You're correct...it's the oil pressure sensor/switch; single function I believe....I'm not sure where oil temp sensor is, darn....take a look down lower, but perhaps this is coolant (water) temp sensor, hmm....darn!
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...36#13621433076

I ordered that one because it was inexpensive. It doesn't make a ton of sense since the engine coolant temperature is not showing high. I figured if the sensor is measuring both, the coolant temp would also be high. I'll replace that and go from there. Thanks!

[Wgosma]

The N52 was around for umpteen years- you might find more info on older 3-Series forums, more people fiddle with DIY on sedans than on SUV’s.
There has to be 2 temp sensors as the oil and coolant water are separate fluid loops

[deyrag]

maybe check wiring diagrams, they often have an illustration of the connector location so finding the connector that plugs onto the sensor may be a roundabout way to get there.
not sure if the free online diagrams cover a 2011 X3 though, i am usually looking for old E39 stuff

Edit, diagram for E53 puts its location right at the filter housing same as in your picture above. http://iho-bmw.s3-website-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/e53/

[F25User01]

Just in case this helps anyone else who is running into the same issue: On a 2011 BMW X3 Xdrive28 with the N52 engine, the sensor that sends signal to the oil temperature gauge is the Oil Level Sensor located in the oil pan.

I had replaced the oil level sensor because I thought it was faulty, but I kept the old one just in case.

This is how I tested it:

• I removed the under plastic shield
• I used the car's secret menu to display the oil temp, I took record of the current reading which was low
• I turned off the car and crawled underneath and disconnected the sensor and checked the temperature via the secret menu again, which was now displaying a higher temperature
• I connected the old sensor
• I used a heat gun to heat the built in temperature sensor per the diagram here
• Checked the hidden menu again and saw the temp climbing and the gauge moving

So my culprit is the oil level sensor I purchased, it was a cheap one because I needed it fast. Lesson learned. Thanks everyone that tried to help!

[doubledax3]

My issue is very much related !! I have a 12 X3 28i N52 engine. This rig is new to me so I am still learning it.
My oil temp gauge takes forever to start climbing, forever !! Oil level reading seems FINE !
After reading your posts I think I need to access the hidden menu and read the temp there and watch the gauge as Im driving. It never reads above normal it seems, never over 220, 230 F.
The sensor sounds like it does 2 things... Oil level and oil temp ???
Sounds like I need to keep an eye on it a little closer. Just had an oil change so I don't want to do it till I need another change. Hope that sensor isnt to costly !

So buy an OEM sensor ???? Pretty important little sensor !! Let us all know.