Oil cooler/temp question

[jdmboy]

I added an oil cooler. It is not done btw.....

My temps went from 110-115C to 85-90C. This is in the dead hot Arizona summer. I fear in the winter time, if you can call it that, my oil may run too cool. This morning on the way to work it was close to 100 degrees at 8 AM and the oil failed to break 82C on the highway at 3200 rpm's for a 20 minute stretch.

The thing is, if I add a thermostat, it may help the oil get hot sooner, but it opens at 80C anyhow, so presumably the oil will alway be real close to 80C. Is this too cool? I assume if I get on it hard and boost alot I could drive temps up some, but in general is 80-90C too cold? I need viscosity so I need 40-50 weight.

Thanks

 

[XS650]

Nice looking installation!

80C is a cool, you should run your oil at 90C or a bit warmer.

The best answer would be a 90C or 95C thermostat. A not so bad kludge would be different sized blocking plates (even pretty cardboard) to block off part of the heat exchanger.

30 wt at 100C will be about the same viscosity as your 40-50 weight was at 115C.

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
it is extremely unwise NOT to have a thermostat for your oil cooler - even with a heat exchanger type

You really want the oil's temperature to be around the coolant's temperature most of the time. Typically the oil cooler's thermostat should open at around 5-10C above the coolant thermostats's "crack" point (eg at 90-95C if the coolant thermostat opens at 85C)
It is all a case of the cooler's capacity/air flow and etc but usually an oil cooler should only be open for long periods under extreme conditions - they should "cycle" in a narrow band of about 15C

You may also consider putting a mesh barrier in front of your cooler to prevent damage from flying debris - I certainly would!

Regards
Doug