Small engine oil temps?

[SteveD2]

Just curious...how hot does the oil get on your average 3-7hp lawnmower? I know it's quite warm...what is it...around 300 degrees?

 

[Ugly3]

I have seen 250 to 300 degrees reported. That is one of the reasons Briggs & Stratton now recommend full synthetic oils for their small engines. I think they recommend 10w30.

I have used full synthetics for the past 12 years in my 18HP lawn tractor, 5w30 the year around.

 

[JR]

I run a 5 horse B&S on a 1968 Wheelhorse A-800 Lawn Ranger and I usualy see oil temp's in the range of 350 to 375 degrees. I should tell you that I have seen oil get to 411 degrees ounce in this mower.

 

[countryboy9799_99]

Just temped the 5.5 briggs and it was 200, my 10 hp briggs gen. temped out at 225

 

[Razl]

Hey, what are you guys using to read temps? Gauge, thermostat down the dipstick, laser...???

 

[countryboy9799_99]

I used a temp. gun made by raytech. It has the laser on it and costed about 90 bucks. I just temped the block and the temps I gave should be close.

 

[SteveD2]

Does anyone know where I can find a gauge that would read in the 200-400 range? All the auto gauges I can find stop at 280...

 

[JonS]

Interesting, i was just going to post this message. I have a digital temp probe. I tested my 3.5 hp brigs with 30 weight valvoline. After 15 minutes at 73 f air temps, the oil was 202f. After another 15 minutes at 73f, it was 208f. See also under the motorcycle oil section for my post on my 2 bike oil temps.

 

[cryptokid]

you can buy high temp gauges and sending units designed for aircooled volkswagen bug motors. they are super cheap and common, just like a bug is.

 

[drm7]

Where can I get one of these VW style guages and how do you hook it up. I think it would be interesting to see the temps of my mower.