Oil Temp 250
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Oil Temp 250
I have an 86 vette and live in Yuma, AZ- I am thinking of taking a trip up the coast next weekend-
For some reason, (keep in mind it is 116+ outside temp here on any given day) the oil temp is running at 250. It doesn't get a chance to get out on the hwy often-
I have just replaced the radiator and am using Mobile 1 synthetic oil--
Any suggestions of what else to do?
I don't want to take a chance being stranded somewhere--
For some reason, (keep in mind it is 116+ outside temp here on any given day) the oil temp is running at 250. It doesn't get a chance to get out on the hwy often-
I have just replaced the radiator and am using Mobile 1 synthetic oil--
Any suggestions of what else to do?
I don't want to take a chance being stranded somewhere--
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by Rogersvette
I have an 86 vette and live in Yuma, AZ- I am thinking of taking a trip up the coast next weekend-
For some reason, (keep in mind it is 116+ outside temp here on any given day) the oil temp is running at 250. It doesn't get a chance to get out on the hwy often-
I have just replaced the radiator and am using Mobile 1 synthetic oil--
Any suggestions of what else to do?
I don't want to take a chance being stranded somewhere--
For some reason, (keep in mind it is 116+ outside temp here on any given day) the oil temp is running at 250. It doesn't get a chance to get out on the hwy often-
I have just replaced the radiator and am using Mobile 1 synthetic oil--
Any suggestions of what else to do?
I don't want to take a chance being stranded somewhere--
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Mobil 1 at 250 is nothingto worry about, I've been over 260 many times and no problems.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Rogersvette
It doesn't get a chance to get out on the hwy often
RACE ON!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Maybe you should worry
Just because your oil temp gauge reads 250-260 degrees and your running Mobil 1 doesn't mean everything is O.K. Mobil 1 oil is good for 300 degrees plus before breaking down but thats not the problem. The babbit or whatever they call it now in you bearings is a tin/lead/? alloy which is approaching its melting/softening point at around 300 degrees.
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Originally Posted by Vetracr
Just because your oil temp gauge reads 250-260 degrees and your running Mobil 1 doesn't mean everything is O.K. Mobil 1 oil is good for 300 degrees plus before breaking down but thats not the problem. The babbit or whatever they call it now in you bearings is a tin/lead/? alloy which is approaching its melting/softening point at around 300 degrees.
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 138
From: cyberspace NY
so then GM would be warrenting 1000's of motors. why would GM have the idiot light come on at 300? and 320 on the ZO6. they obviously have it figured out, while porsche may have used lessor of a bearing material. my LT4 has seen 290's many of times.
........................................ .............................
........................................ .............................
Originally Posted by Vetracr
Just because your oil temp gauge reads 250-260 degrees and your running Mobil 1 doesn't mean everything is O.K. Mobil 1 oil is good for 300 degrees plus before breaking down but thats not the problem. The babbit or whatever they call it now in you bearings is a tin/lead/? alloy which is approaching its melting/softening point at around 300 degrees.
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by Vetracr
Just because your oil temp gauge reads 250-260 degrees and your running Mobil 1 doesn't mean everything is O.K. Mobil 1 oil is good for 300 degrees plus before breaking down but thats not the problem. The babbit or whatever they call it now in you bearings is a tin/lead/? alloy which is approaching its melting/softening point at around 300 degrees.
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Still not going to run 260 plus temps
My reference is from my track experience with C4 Corvettes. I can't speak for a C5 because I don't have experience with them. C4 cooling both water and oil is marginal at best. Maybe the Z06 has better cooling. If you want a real test of GM, run your Z06 at the track with 300-320 degrees oil temps and blow an engine. See what happens when you bring it in for warranty. When GM checks the black box and looks at the history before the engine blew. LOL, LOL, LOL.
Larry
Larry
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Vetracr
Just because your oil temp gauge reads 250-260 degrees and your running Mobil 1 doesn't mean everything is O.K. Mobil 1 oil is good for 300 degrees plus before breaking down but thats not the problem. The babbit or whatever they call it now in you bearings is a tin/lead/? alloy which is approaching its melting/softening point at around 300 degrees.
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
The temp you measure is after the oil has been cooled in the pan and compressed by the pump. Part of the oil function is to cool the bearings. If your reading 260 out of the pump, how hot do you think it is in the bearings? Porsche racing specs oil temp not to exceed 210 and provides big oil coolers. There is a reason. FYI. I always ran the biggest oil cooler I could fit on my C4 racers. Just some food for thought.
Larry
What you seem to be saying, correct me if I'm wrong, is that the Corvette or C4 Corvette, sold in very warm climates (Arizona, Cal. desert/San Joaquin, Texas, etc.), is ok to run, maybe a bit hot oil, but still ok. Under sustained racing conditions (key word: sustained), the tolerances are too close for engine survival. Is that right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 138
From: cyberspace NY
every LS6 motor is run at WOT for 20minutes before leaving the factory. the LS6 chief engineer said they NEVER blow up. The motor is designed for 300-320 oil temps. at 321 the oil temp message is displayed. and don't you think they have a saftey margin!! I have never heard of 1 failure , ls6 or lt1 or lt4 due to oil temps.
I have heard of plenty of failures due to oil starvation, but never high temps. and I track my LT4 frequently. all bone STOCK. about 5000 hard track miles to date. and I'll get another 400 miles by the end of this season.
I have heard of plenty of failures due to oil starvation, but never high temps. and I track my LT4 frequently. all bone STOCK. about 5000 hard track miles to date. and I'll get another 400 miles by the end of this season.
Originally Posted by Vetracr
My reference is from my track experience with C4 Corvettes. I can't speak for a C5 because I don't have experience with them. C4 cooling both water and oil is marginal at best. Maybe the Z06 has better cooling. If you want a real test of GM, run your Z06 at the track with 300-320 degrees oil temps and blow an engine. See what happens when you bring it in for warranty. When GM checks the black box and looks at the history before the engine blew. LOL, LOL, LOL.
Larry
Larry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
What you seem to be saying, correct me if I'm wrong, is that the Corvette or C4 Corvette, sold in very warm climates (Arizona, Cal. desert/San Joaquin, Texas, etc.), is ok to run, maybe a bit hot oil, but still ok. Under sustained racing conditions (key word: sustained), the tolerances are too close for engine survival. Is that right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
I find it hard in my area not to get oil temps of 250 degrees when you're driving around in stop and go traffic or on the highway at 110 to 120 degrees + out here in the desert Southwest. When it's 90 degrees I don't get such high oil temps, but over 110 degrees it does happen.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse Utah
I live where it is hot, not serious like Yuma, not for long periods like LV, but I bought an oil bypass for $5, a thermostat for $20, and I've had an oil cooler sitting in the garage for years; so why not? $25 for a little peace of mind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Couple of comments...
The older Porsches were air and oil cooled-one reason why the large oil cooling capability...they used it to keep the engine cool...new ones are of course liquid cooled...
I've run 300 degree oil temps for many events with a stock LT4 and current 381 ci engine...no problems. I don't like it, but still not quite ready to install an oil cooler.
If you are cruising on the highway at normal speeds and seeing 250 degrees, then I would say that is the highest I've heard for that operation...if you were pushing 100+ mph then no problem, but 250 is high...Might check the temperature sender...how is the coolant? I would expect coolant to be quite high as well...they tend to effect one another a bit...I run 300 degree oil temps and I will see 220 coolant temps...I think most would be in the same boat. Ie not a 180 coolant and 300 oil, etc.
The older Porsches were air and oil cooled-one reason why the large oil cooling capability...they used it to keep the engine cool...new ones are of course liquid cooled...
I've run 300 degree oil temps for many events with a stock LT4 and current 381 ci engine...no problems. I don't like it, but still not quite ready to install an oil cooler.
If you are cruising on the highway at normal speeds and seeing 250 degrees, then I would say that is the highest I've heard for that operation...if you were pushing 100+ mph then no problem, but 250 is high...Might check the temperature sender...how is the coolant? I would expect coolant to be quite high as well...they tend to effect one another a bit...I run 300 degree oil temps and I will see 220 coolant temps...I think most would be in the same boat. Ie not a 180 coolant and 300 oil, etc.