[Z06] oil temp!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
I wouldn't go that far. So if it's 30 deg F outside, and you start your Vette and only let it run until the oil temp is 31 deg F then turn it off you're saying all the moisture is out of the oil?
No way.
180 might be OK, but getting the engine hotter than that is even more insurance that all the internals are well hot enough to prevent cold spots which can act as condensation surfaces inside the engine.
It's a proven fact that engines used for short trips degrade the oil much more and much faster than engines ran at full operating temperatures all the time.
No way.
180 might be OK, but getting the engine hotter than that is even more insurance that all the internals are well hot enough to prevent cold spots which can act as condensation surfaces inside the engine.
It's a proven fact that engines used for short trips degrade the oil much more and much faster than engines ran at full operating temperatures all the time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
My oil temp rarely even gets above 200°. Normally it sits right around 196°. My coolant temp usually sits right at 194°.
Just now for example I left work in Fremont. I let my car warm up until the coolant temp reached 100° which took about 2 minutes. I then drove home to Normandy Park. The oil temp had only reached 180° by the time I got to the 1st Avenue Bridge, and then had just hit 196° when I got home.
I think the highest I've ever seen the oil temp was 212° and that was after some spirited driving.
I can't imagine how much idle time would be required to hit 200° if I don't even get that high after 20 minutes of driving.
Just now for example I left work in Fremont. I let my car warm up until the coolant temp reached 100° which took about 2 minutes. I then drove home to Normandy Park. The oil temp had only reached 180° by the time I got to the 1st Avenue Bridge, and then had just hit 196° when I got home.
I think the highest I've ever seen the oil temp was 212° and that was after some spirited driving.
I can't imagine how much idle time would be required to hit 200° if I don't even get that high after 20 minutes of driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
I'd like you to start your car every day and just let it run 1 minute at a time. Do this for 3 months straight and then tear down the engine ... it will not look pretty inside.
Go drive a car on a cold day and it takes a very long time for the exhaust pipe to even get dry ... it's puking condensation for many miles. Many cars driven on cold days will condense crud on the inside of the oil filler cap because that is a cooler spot on the engine. It takes some some pretty good temps for a long period of time to get everything burned off.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Jun 9, 2008 at 08:42 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
As you can see, it takes a while to get the oil hot, which means the whole engine mass is striving to achieve near the oil temperature. This is why short trips are hard on engines ... because the oil doesn't get hot enough to burn all the crap out of it from combustion blow-by.
If you fire up the car in the winter to heat up the engine, you'll have to give it some throttle to get the oil temps up some ... otherwise idling just takes too long.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
That's pretty much it. Commuting in Seattle, it's a good day when I can get up to 50 mph. And you can do that in just a couple of seconds in first gear. Most of my driving is in the 2000 to 2500 rpm range.
I'd have better luck getting on the throttle if people in this state understood what the Keep Right Except to Pass signs actually mean.
I'd have better luck getting on the throttle if people in this state understood what the Keep Right Except to Pass signs actually mean.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
That's pretty much it. Commuting in Seattle, it's a good day when I can get up to 50 mph. And you can do that in just a couple of seconds in first gear. Most of my driving is in the 2000 to 2500 rpm range.
I'd have better luck getting on the throttle if people in this state understood what the Keep Right Except to Pass signs actually mean.
I'd have better luck getting on the throttle if people in this state understood what the Keep Right Except to Pass signs actually mean.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
Not even close. After just running 20-30 seconds the engine is just starting to collect condensation and massive amounts of blow-by in the crankcase.
I'd like you to start your car every day and just let it run 1 minute at a time. Do this for 3 months straight and then tear down the engine ... it will not look pretty inside.
Go drive a car on a cold day and it takes a very long time for the exhaust pipe to even get dry ... it's puking condensation for many miles. Many cars driven on cold days will condense crud on the inside of the oil filler cap because that is a cooler spot on the engine. It takes some some pretty good temps for a long period of time to get everything burned off.
I'd like you to start your car every day and just let it run 1 minute at a time. Do this for 3 months straight and then tear down the engine ... it will not look pretty inside.
Go drive a car on a cold day and it takes a very long time for the exhaust pipe to even get dry ... it's puking condensation for many miles. Many cars driven on cold days will condense crud on the inside of the oil filler cap because that is a cooler spot on the engine. It takes some some pretty good temps for a long period of time to get everything burned off.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
That's pretty much it. Commuting in Seattle, it's a good day when I can get up to 50 mph. And you can do that in just a couple of seconds in first gear. Most of my driving is in the 2000 to 2500 rpm range.
I'd have better luck getting on the throttle if people in this state understood what the Keep Right Except to Pass signs actually mean.
I'd have better luck getting on the throttle if people in this state understood what the Keep Right Except to Pass signs actually mean.
I have the same problem down here in the San Francisco area .... BUT ..... I've found the answer to the problem !!!!
The liberals around here all think they own the "left" lane as everything they do is oriented to the left .... get over in the "slow" lane and with a little bit of "weaving" you will be amazed at how much faster you can travel.
NOTE - I do have a black car so the CHP is less likely to notice me .... I wouldn't recommend this tactic with a Millenium Yellow Corvette ....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
I wouldn't say it's a 'liberal' thing, but just a 'typical moron driver' thing that everyone has to get in the left lane. They all think it's still the 'fast lane', but when everyone tries to jam themselves into the left lane it becomes the slow lane ... I've noticed this to on I-5 in my area. Usually the lane or two just right of the 'fast lane' is usually faster. Only advantage of using the left lane is that it's illegal for big trucks (semis, etc) to use it.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Jun 10, 2008 at 04:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Yes, I do the same thing ... I will not move a vehicle without getting the engine pretty hot. A quick startup and shutdown it the best way to contaminate you oil and leave the crap in it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
I checked again on my way to work this morning. It was at 4:00 am so there was no traffic. Average speed was 70 mph and after 15 miles it had just hit 196° as I pulled up to work. The ambient temperature was only 49° though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
It will take longer to get the oil up to 200 deg F when the outside air temps are lower. Not only does the engine shed heat better with colder temps, but the entire mass of the engine is colder to start with so it takes much longer to raise the entire mass to full operating temperatures. Do this same test sometime when the outside air temp is 80 or 90 deg F and you'll see a noticeable difference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
