engine oil/temp
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View CA
engine oil/temp
2 questions, folks:
1. It's been hot lately in the DC area, and my engine has been running a lot hotter than I'm used to in CA...is that a normal result of the heat or something I should be worried about? Normally the engine runs max 210-215(oil) and 190-195(coolant). Now it's running consistently around 230 and 210. In stop and go traffic the other day, the oil temp hit 250. It dropped again when the traffic sped up.
2. I understand regular motor oil disintegrates at higher temps, but synthetics don't? Is there any reason to put mobil 1 synthetic in my 88, when I'm sure the previous owner used the cheapest stuff the car's whole life? (when he even bothered to change the oil that is...)
1. It's been hot lately in the DC area, and my engine has been running a lot hotter than I'm used to in CA...is that a normal result of the heat or something I should be worried about? Normally the engine runs max 210-215(oil) and 190-195(coolant). Now it's running consistently around 230 and 210. In stop and go traffic the other day, the oil temp hit 250. It dropped again when the traffic sped up.
2. I understand regular motor oil disintegrates at higher temps, but synthetics don't? Is there any reason to put mobil 1 synthetic in my 88, when I'm sure the previous owner used the cheapest stuff the car's whole life? (when he even bothered to change the oil that is...)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Your temps are normal, but you should clean the space between condensor and radiator, and you may want to at least replace the thermostat. A coolant flush would be a good idea as well.
Regular oils begin disintegration at about 250-260, whereas M1 syn doesnt until 300. I've switched over, I ran into a leak at the rear main, but thats it.
Regular oils begin disintegration at about 250-260, whereas M1 syn doesnt until 300. I've switched over, I ran into a leak at the rear main, but thats it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Your temps are normal
My car normally runs 195-200 oil and 185-195 coolant, but in the 96 degree weather over the weekend it hit 212 oil and 204 coolant.
Synthetics give you better lubrication through out the temperature range. Even if your car was previously on dino oil, the switch is worth it.
It will clean up the insdie of your engine, improving its performance and decrease the rate of future wear.
My car normally runs 195-200 oil and 185-195 coolant, but in the 96 degree weather over the weekend it hit 212 oil and 204 coolant.
Synthetics give you better lubrication through out the temperature range. Even if your car was previously on dino oil, the switch is worth it.
It will clean up the insdie of your engine, improving its performance and decrease the rate of future wear.
