How hot does oil get in an engine? How about an engine with a turbo?
Oil temperatures.
- Thread starter iunderpressure
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Oil temp should run about the same as the coolant. With that being said, oil running around the turbo bearings has got to be really cooking. If fact, this is why most turboed engines have oil coolers.
Depends on the outside ambient air temp. In the winter, oil can run quite cool 140-150. Summer 190-210, depends on the engine as well...
Also the load on the engine has much to do with the oil temps.
Hi,
iunderpressure - Operating oil temp depends on many things - design, application and etc. Typically German engine makers seem to aim for around 90-95C bulk oil temp and within a range of 90 to 115C. Mineral lubricanst start to deteriorate rapidly after around 120C
iunderpressure - Operating oil temp depends on many things - design, application and etc. Typically German engine makers seem to aim for around 90-95C bulk oil temp and within a range of 90 to 115C. Mineral lubricanst start to deteriorate rapidly after around 120C
My 2007 BMW 335i regularly ran 240-260 degrees. It is a twin-turbo inline-6 and has a reputation for running pretty hot. Mine even had the optional oil cooler and still ran that hot. It used the BMW-spec synthetic oil and was only changed about every 10-12,000 miles (whenever it told me to.)
An oil temp gauge on their car would really surprise some people. It takes what I've always felt was an inordinate amount of time to even get in the ballpark of the coolant's temp, and the 240-260 degrees mentioned right above me is easier to hit than you'd think during spirited driving. I once got carried away with a TDI Touareg and saw the needle go higher still, though it also has 2 turbos....
I think the biggest thing to consider is that the oil is NOT up to operating temperature just because the coolant temp is in the normal range and the heater blows hot. It takes 20-30 minutes before your oil is truly warmed up in my experience.
I think the biggest thing to consider is that the oil is NOT up to operating temperature just because the coolant temp is in the normal range and the heater blows hot. It takes 20-30 minutes before your oil is truly warmed up in my experience.
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I once had an Audi 2.8L V6 at 272F according to the oil temp meter. This was after hauling tail up Pike's Peak hand braking turns, etc. Sorry OP, like everyone else has said it all depends. In a turbo you may see oil temps quite high at the exhaust side where the exhaust temps can be around 1600F in addition to you compressor wheel spinnig at between 50K and 150K (all ball park). All this from what Ive learned here of cours. Spot temps in excess of 260F are quite possible here.
Another extreme temp. anecdote: I was driving a stock BMW M5 (V10, 500 HP) on a track in 100F ambient temperatures and the bulk oil temperature reached 300F, which is when the ECU puts the engine in limp mode.
Funny seeing the predominance of German makes with their oil temp gauges!
I'd install one in my car, but I'd probably develop an ulcer.
I'd install one in my car, but I'd probably develop an ulcer.
There is a reason the Germans nearly won a war against almost every other military in the world at once. They pay attention to minor details like oil temperature. Of course if I dropped $50K+ on an auto I would expect it.
my turbo 4 cyl runs oil temps right around what the stock coolant t-stat is rated for, 195f in the sump. Those are cruising temps. It has taken upwards of 15 miles of freeway driving, or 20 minutes to reach those temps before. Where as, my coolant can reach that temp in as little as a couple miles. It is easily a ten+ minute difference in time for the two to equilize temperatures. When I head to the roadcourse, I see 270-285 degree oil temps, and the coolant temps hover around 215-220f. A wide open throttle run thru the gears just one time will only raise the sump temps 5-10 degrees. Car has a stock oil/coolant heat exchanger where the oil filter mounts up.
I have talked to Corvette owners at the track, and many have said they can see upwards of 320 degree temps while on the track.
I have talked to Corvette owners at the track, and many have said they can see upwards of 320 degree temps while on the track.
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There's certainly a case to be made for having a GIANT thermostatically controlled oil cooler on sporty cars or trucks that tow. I think we'd see more of that if people knew how hot their oil was really getting, but OTOH its a testament to the goodness of the fluids and car makers that there aren't engine parts scattered all over the highway...
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
Of course if I dropped $50K+ on an auto I would expect it.
Many $50K+ Mercedes Benz models don't have oil temperature gauge.
Of course if I dropped $50K+ on an auto I would expect it.
Many $50K+ Mercedes Benz models don't have oil temperature gauge.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Many $50K+ Mercedes Benz models don't have oil temperature gauge.
Probably because it would give owners one more thing to complain about.
I put an oil pan temp gauge on my Xterra (VG33, no cooler) and it normally ran about 120F over ambient. Once I saw 260 F on the last stretch to 'Vegas from LA - the long, slow uphill grade. Ambient was 117 F.
The automatic transmission had a gauge on the hot side and it was about 260 also.
Many $50K+ Mercedes Benz models don't have oil temperature gauge.
Probably because it would give owners one more thing to complain about.
I put an oil pan temp gauge on my Xterra (VG33, no cooler) and it normally ran about 120F over ambient. Once I saw 260 F on the last stretch to 'Vegas from LA - the long, slow uphill grade. Ambient was 117 F.
The automatic transmission had a gauge on the hot side and it was about 260 also.
After a jillion oil changes, I can attest that oil temperature in winter is a lot colder than in summer.
So how hot is the engine oil? It will range from ambient/surrounding air temperatures to 260deg F or more.
Normal fully warmed up temps on the highway in summer are around 190-220.
A turbo usually has hotter average temps than this, and locally can get VERY hot.
So how hot is the engine oil? It will range from ambient/surrounding air temperatures to 260deg F or more.
Normal fully warmed up temps on the highway in summer are around 190-220.
A turbo usually has hotter average temps than this, and locally can get VERY hot.
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For someone driving a normal car. Not a Euro Super Car, not a turbo ..not a fully loaded SUV towing a boat up a 6% grade ..just driving down the highway @ 65mph ..you're looking at near coolant temps with probably a +/- 15F-20F. I don't really see a turbo, at that state of operation, adding much more.
Slam the throttle and hold it down ..hit the upper output range. It's going to climb.
Anyone who sees constant and sustained 250F+ temps has a shortened oil life.
Slam the throttle and hold it down ..hit the upper output range. It's going to climb.
Anyone who sees constant and sustained 250F+ temps has a shortened oil life.
Yep, but it should be noted that even on fancy turbocharged Euro stuff that have real oil coolers, it takes a really long time for that oil to cool back down once it has gotten hot. I shudder to think how long it takes for a more, uh, basic car's oil to cool off once the temp gets really up there. This is not to say that under normal conditions it even would get especially elevated, but when it does, well....
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Much has to do with your power density. Oil temps in my observations dropped like a Pb balloon once the combustion input was taken out. Take your foot off the gas and a 15F drop was too fast to count. Now if you are exchanged and your coolant temp is also somewhat peaked, then sure. The medium works both ways.
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