Oil temp always cold?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 4
From: Middle River MD
Oil temp always cold?
Ever since I got my 89 back on the road with the new engine, I have only seen the oil temp reach 150* one time. On the 89 dash it doesn't register until 150, rather it just says "lo". I am running a 180* thermostat and have the ecm kick the aux fan on at ~200* and off ~185*. The coolant temp after warmup ranges from 178-185 while cruising and up tp about 200 in traffic when the fan kicks on its right back to ~190 sitting.
Am I running too cold? Shouldn't the oil temp be over 200? I'm not even at 150. The temps have been between 35-55* outside during these observations, so its still going to get much colder here when winter kicks in.
I was thinking about going back to the stock 195 therm, but wanted some input first, thanks!
Am I running too cold? Shouldn't the oil temp be over 200? I'm not even at 150. The temps have been between 35-55* outside during these observations, so its still going to get much colder here when winter kicks in.
I was thinking about going back to the stock 195 therm, but wanted some input first, thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Oil temp always cold? (HeeHaw89)
Did you have the oil cooler/warmer before you rebuilt it?........if you did ..... did you keep it on there?.......... My oil temp stays near coolant temp plus about 10 or 20 degrees..........I run a 160 stat and it usually stays below 180 except on the very hottest of conditions :seeya
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Re: Oil temp always cold? (HeeHaw89)
I think you are saying since the rebuild, you have never seen the oil temp go above "Lo" on the dash is this correct? If this is correct, is it possible the oil temp sensor is not working and the oil temp is Ok but just not reading on the dash?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 4
From: Middle River MD
Re: Oil temp always cold? (Bill-35thAnvrsy-88)
I think you are saying since the rebuild, you have never seen the oil temp go above "Lo" on the dash is this correct? If this is correct, is it possible the oil temp sensor is not working and the oil temp is Ok but just not reading on the dash?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: chandler az
Re: Oil temp always cold? (HeeHaw89)
It sounds like you knocked the connector off. It is under the car on the drivers side. After I got mine back from the transmission shop mine did the same thing. I found the connector loose under there.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Oil temp always cold? (HeeHaw89)
The oil temp should come up even with the coolant cold. Like I said my car stays pretty cool and the oil goes above coolant temp by 10 or 20 deg unless I run it hard. I agree with an above post ........check the sensor. :seeya
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: Oil temp always cold? (vettmech)
It takes mine approximately 10 minutes to reach op temp ~ 185* or so. Both my coolant and oil temps are within +- 10* with my coolant usually being a little warmer, at least according to the dash display. I have a 195* thermostat. Before I cleaned the radiator, I was pushing 220-230 regularly during the summer. Then I cleaned the radiator, and haven't gotten above 210* sitting in traffic in 100* heat last summer. Cleaning the radiator also reduced my operating oil temps.
J :seeya
J :seeya