C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

"Normal" oil temps?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 12:20 PM
  #1  
Bobzilla's Avatar
Bobzilla
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Lebbrownsville Indiana
Default "Normal" oil temps?

88 Z51 Coupe manual. Today is hot as f....well, it's hot. It's about 94 outside right now. Running into work, with the AC on cruise at 70 oil temps climbed to ~228-233 and stabilized with water temps stabilized at 205. Water temps I know are normal, if not a little low. What about the oil temps? Oil pressure was right around 42-48.

Reason I'm asking is I know the rings are leaking, and curious if this is about what I should expect to see this summer until I can get the engine out for a rebuild this fall.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 12:32 PM
  #2  
pmihaltian's Avatar
pmihaltian
Slingshot
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Oil temp looks normal in comparison to your water temp. My oil temp typically runs about 20 degrees +- over my water temp. My oil pressure runs about 55-65 on hwy.

This time of year on the hwy with AC on , my water temp runs between 190 - 205, about the same as yours. In the winter, my hwy temp is usually about 165 - 170 degrees with a 165 thermostat.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 12:45 PM
  #3  
pcolt94's Avatar
pcolt94
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Default

On my 94 my oil temp is about 200-210 around town. On the expressway after a while it does get up to 220* (or a few degrees higher).

Engine temp is 195 - 205 depending on air temperature

I do run Mobil1. What kind of oil do you run, it can make a difference.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 12:49 PM
  #4  
Bobzilla's Avatar
Bobzilla
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Lebbrownsville Indiana
Default

Cool... thanks. Car is running extremely well right now. It has me nervous. I'm half expecting it to fail spectactularly.

As for oil, it's cheap stuff because it leaks from every seal (no lie) and blows it out the dipstick tube. I've been changing the filter about every 1k because of the condition I bought it.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 12:57 PM
  #5  
BADDUCK's Avatar
BADDUCK
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Default

Temps sound good on water and oil. You think 94* is hot?
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 01:30 PM
  #6  
1963SS's Avatar
1963SS
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
Default

You're good to approx. 240 with dino based oils and 260 with synthetics. I believe that's why Corvette's required Mobil1. Petroleum based oils start to break down at a lower temp and either boil off or lose some of their lubricating properties. I think GM figured that a Mobil1 sticker was cheaper than an oil cooler.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 02:01 PM
  #7  
tlong's Avatar
tlong
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 805
Likes: 11
From: Hickory Flat Ga
Default

[QUOTE=Bobzilla;1578103076]Cool... thanks. Car is running extremely well right now. It has me nervous. I'm half expecting it to fail spectactularly.

I thought I was the only one suffering from Vette Paranoia or VP, the condition brought on by prolonged ownership and extensive repair and upgrades, causing worry and anxiety following a successful Corvette joyride.

Laugh at the juggler who seldom keeps all of the ***** in the air. When he does just wait, one will hit the floor soon.

Like dating a super-fox greyhound with a nasty disposition. The good days far outweigh the bad.

Last edited by tlong; Jul 11, 2011 at 02:08 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 02:27 PM
  #8  
Bobzilla's Avatar
Bobzilla
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Lebbrownsville Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by 1963SS
You're good to approx. 240 with dino based oils and 260 with synthetics. I believe that's why Corvette's required Mobil1. Petroleum based oils start to break down at a lower temp and either boil off or lose some of their lubricating properties. I think GM figured that a Mobil1 sticker was cheaper than an oil cooler.
Mine has the cooler but no sticker.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 02:29 PM
  #9  
Bobzilla's Avatar
Bobzilla
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Lebbrownsville Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by tlong
Originally Posted by Bobzilla
Cool... thanks. Car is running extremely well right now. It has me nervous. I'm half expecting it to fail spectactularly.

I thought I was the only one suffering from Vette Paranoia or VP, the condition brought on by prolonged ownership and extensive repair and upgrades, causing worry and anxiety following a successful Corvette joyride.

Laugh at the juggler who seldom keeps all of the ***** in the air. When he does just wait, one will hit the floor soon.

Like dating a super-fox greyhound with a nasty disposition. The good days far outweigh the bad.
Nah.... I have just over $4k in this car and I've been playing with it for a year. I have no illusions that this car is perfect.... it's far from it. I figure I'll have $8k in it by the time I'm done and it'll be almost new. I can live with that!
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 02:31 PM
  #10  
Bobzilla's Avatar
Bobzilla
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Lebbrownsville Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by BADDUCK
Temps sound good on water and oil. You think 94* is hot?
I'm in Indiana... anything over 90 is hot!
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 04:03 PM
  #11  
pcolt94's Avatar
pcolt94
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Default

Originally Posted by Bobzilla
Cool... thanks. Car is running extremely well right now. It has me nervous. I'm half expecting it to fail spectactularly.

As for oil, it's cheap stuff because it leaks from every seal (no lie) and blows it out the dipstick tube. I've been changing the filter about every 1k because of the condition I bought it.
Check your PVC and see if it is stuck or clogged.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 04:11 PM
  #12  
Bobzilla's Avatar
Bobzilla
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Lebbrownsville Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by pcolt94
Check your PVC and see if it is stuck or clogged.
Been replaced. Twice. 3rd time I just cleaned it. Rings are gone. Car drove 5k miles in just over 5 years. Has 144k miles on it. And the oil hadn't been changed in years.

I'm already planning complete rebuild, head work, cam this winter.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 04:30 PM
  #13  
ndanl's Avatar
ndanl
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Timisoara, Romania
Default

Originally Posted by Bobzilla
I'm in Indiana... anything over 90 is hot!
hah same here my corvette is running way over 90C, if my audi moves over 90C even in 42C outside then I start to worry looks like corvette is runnig well over 100C
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 04:44 PM
  #14  
cumbercr's Avatar
cumbercr
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Default

Your Z51 should have an oil cooler. The oil is cooled by radiator coolant. Typically with this system oil temperature will run 20-30 degrees higher than the water temperature. So what you are seeing is normal.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To "Normal" oil temps?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:32 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE