Safe oil temps

narita · Postby **narita** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:38 pm

So im about to throw these oil pressure & temp gauges in,

just wanted to know what temps would indicate "up to temp" & "take a cool down lap"

thanks in advance.

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:51 pm

130c. but you really need to read the spec sheets for the exact oil you are running.

Dann

TTT · Postby **TTT** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:41 pm

Most oil cooler thermostats will open at 80-85 degrees celcius so you can assume that to be a good "Up to temp" setting.

narita · Postby **narita** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:15 pm

thanks dan & TTT!

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 8:28 pm

There is lots of info on oil temp and viscosity http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/Auto_oils/oil_viscosity_explained.htm for example. Simply if your oil gets too hot it starts to break down and gives less protection for your engine. I use about 110c as a back off/slow down temp my gauges start flashing at 120c and there will be a very loud piezo alarm installed that will go off at 120c for oil water temp, no coolant and oil pressure below 25.

Also remember when your engine is cold not to rev it too hard as the oil will be very thick until it gets up to temp.

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:29 pm

^ true to an extent...I'd never rev a "cold" engine but multigrade oils solve that problem to some extent.

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:32 pm

The oil is thickest when its coldest, its not just about how thick it is.

Dann

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:43 pm

So a 10W-40 oil would flow a lot better that a single-grade 40 oil from cold, and would therefore offer better protection that a single grade (not that it would be used).

And a 5W would have better cold start protection than a 15W.

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:56 pm

Magpie wrote:There is lots of info on oil temp and viscosity http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/Auto_oils/oil_viscosity_explained.htm for example. Simply if your oil gets too hot it starts to break down and gives less protection for your engine. I use about 110c as a back off/slow down temp my gauges start flashing at 120c and there will be a very loud piezo alarm installed that will go off at 120c for oil water temp, no coolant and oil pressure below 25.

Also remember when your engine is cold not to rev it too hard as the oil will be very thick until it gets up to temp.

How do you keep your oil below 110c?

My NB8B ran at about 115 stock standard cruising on the freeway and 140+ on track. On track runs in the mid to high 120's with an oil cooler and 100 on road.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:29 am

deviant wrote:How do you keep your oil below 110c?

My NB8B ran at about 115 stock standard cruising on the freeway and 140+ on track. On track runs in the mid to high 120's with an oil cooler and 100 on road.

The car is running a PWR water/oil combo radiator and on the track I keep it below 120 and it is normally around 110.