[Z06] normal oil temp?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
normal oil temp?
i am still learning about my new z06, and was just curious what would be considered "normal" oil temperatures during spirited driving. yesterday i was out driving and saw close to 230 degrees oil temp. it was about 92 degrees outside. is this still normal and safe? i am currently running amsoil synthetic oil. thanks...
-jake
-jake
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Yup ... 300 is probably when you want to start getting nervous ...... UNLESS you are running refined oil.
With a synthetic like Amsoil or Mobil1 you can push the engine oil temperatures much higher than you can with refined oil. Stick with a quality synthetic and you'll be fine ..... if your oil temp climbs to around 300 then you need to "cool it" until the temperature comes down ... but I've done track days at Willow Springs Raceway in the Mojave Desert where the air temperature was over 100 degrees and my oil stayed at about 270 to 280 through the sessions.
In general your oil temp is tied to your coolant temp ..... your oil will always run hotter than your coolant ..... once the oil gets up around 300 your coolant is going to be getting close to the 265 degree "boil over" limit ...... you're not gonna have 300 degree oil and 185 degree coolant .....
Your PCM will put the engine in REDUCED POWER mode once the coolant hits 265 .... the PCM is programmed to protect the engine .... read your Owner's Manual ... look in the Index under ENGINE .... look for "Engine Over Temperature Protection Mode".
With a synthetic like Amsoil or Mobil1 you can push the engine oil temperatures much higher than you can with refined oil. Stick with a quality synthetic and you'll be fine ..... if your oil temp climbs to around 300 then you need to "cool it" until the temperature comes down ... but I've done track days at Willow Springs Raceway in the Mojave Desert where the air temperature was over 100 degrees and my oil stayed at about 270 to 280 through the sessions.
In general your oil temp is tied to your coolant temp ..... your oil will always run hotter than your coolant ..... once the oil gets up around 300 your coolant is going to be getting close to the 265 degree "boil over" limit ...... you're not gonna have 300 degree oil and 185 degree coolant .....
Your PCM will put the engine in REDUCED POWER mode once the coolant hits 265 .... the PCM is programmed to protect the engine .... read your Owner's Manual ... look in the Index under ENGINE .... look for "Engine Over Temperature Protection Mode".
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
Yup ... 300 is probably when you want to start getting nervous ...... UNLESS you are running refined oil.
With a synthetic like Amsoil or Mobil1 you can push the engine oil temperatures much higher than you can with refined oil. Stick with a quality synthetic and you'll be fine ..... if your oil temp climbs to around 300 then you need to "cool it" until the temperature comes down ... but I've done track days at Willow Springs Raceway in the Mojave Desert where the air temperature was over 100 degrees and my oil stayed at about 270 to 280 through the sessions.
In general your oil temp is tied to your coolant temp ..... your oil will always run hotter than your coolant ..... once the oil gets up around 300 your coolant is going to be getting close to the 265 degree "boil over" limit ...... you're not gonna have 300 degree oil and 185 degree coolant .....
Your PCM will put the engine in REDUCED POWER mode once the coolant hits 265 .... the PCM is programmed to protect the engine .... read your Owner's Manual ... look in the Index under ENGINE .... look for "Engine Over Temperature Protection Mode".
With a synthetic like Amsoil or Mobil1 you can push the engine oil temperatures much higher than you can with refined oil. Stick with a quality synthetic and you'll be fine ..... if your oil temp climbs to around 300 then you need to "cool it" until the temperature comes down ... but I've done track days at Willow Springs Raceway in the Mojave Desert where the air temperature was over 100 degrees and my oil stayed at about 270 to 280 through the sessions.
In general your oil temp is tied to your coolant temp ..... your oil will always run hotter than your coolant ..... once the oil gets up around 300 your coolant is going to be getting close to the 265 degree "boil over" limit ...... you're not gonna have 300 degree oil and 185 degree coolant .....
Your PCM will put the engine in REDUCED POWER mode once the coolant hits 265 .... the PCM is programmed to protect the engine .... read your Owner's Manual ... look in the Index under ENGINE .... look for "Engine Over Temperature Protection Mode".
Dogface
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 25,974
Likes: 120
From: At the Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '15, '17
Jake,
Ok and normal. I have had it to 240 before. Normally it stays around 210-220 on normal cruising around. Remember the fans are programmed to come on earlier then stock. Stick with the Amsoil fluids. You should change the oil when the DIC says around 10%. Don
Ok and normal. I have had it to 240 before. Normally it stays around 210-220 on normal cruising around. Remember the fans are programmed to come on earlier then stock. Stick with the Amsoil fluids. You should change the oil when the DIC says around 10%. Don
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
During some slow speed cruising yesterday (ambient @ 90 degrees), my oil temperature hit 250 degrees. Coolant was 236 degrees and the a/c was on.
It came down along with coolant temperature when I ended the "let's check out the old neighborhood, dear" driving manner...
It came down along with coolant temperature when I ended the "let's check out the old neighborhood, dear" driving manner...
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
During track runs, I usually see oil at 285 and coolant at 245. I don't have an oil cooler. A pro who runs with me sees oil at 315 and is not concerned. IMHO, Mobil 1 will stand up to high temps, but I am concerned about seals and bushings that may not withstand it. I'm probably going to install an oil cooler this winter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: greenville north carolina
I am currently running Royal Purple synthetic and havent seen mine climb above 230 and that , has been with "spirited" driving included. I did a complete transmission flush yesterday (had it done rather) Amsoil synthetic and i must say that the tranny shifts smoother and the temps are lower than the stock tranny fluid that was in there. Differential was changed as well.
I agree with the coolant and oil sort of running in sync...
I am getting mine tuned next week by a local guy who comes well recommended and I met him yesterday...and brothers...HE IS AWESOME! Ive seen some of his work, he has a dyno, and gives the BEST customer service i have EVER experienced. I live in greenville, nc and he is located in vanceboro, nc; about a 30 min drive without getting on it (i have made it in 20 with "spirited" driving.
If anyone is interested feel free to PM for more details.
Stay safe and dont forget the wave!
I agree with the coolant and oil sort of running in sync...
I am getting mine tuned next week by a local guy who comes well recommended and I met him yesterday...and brothers...HE IS AWESOME! Ive seen some of his work, he has a dyno, and gives the BEST customer service i have EVER experienced. I live in greenville, nc and he is located in vanceboro, nc; about a 30 min drive without getting on it (i have made it in 20 with "spirited" driving.
If anyone is interested feel free to PM for more details.
Stay safe and dont forget the wave!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Oil temperature is a function of engine RPM, not so much coolant. You don't really want oil temps hitting 300. If they are then you are flirting with loosing connecting rods and other bottom end internals. The temp sensor is not in the bottom of the block. So you can be assured the crank and everything connected to it is at least 20 degrees hotter. Last I had heard from a comment from GM engineer was that at 320 or so the bottom end is going to get really unhappy. Synthetic oil or not.
I'm running an oil cooler because of track (road racing). Like Bill I see 265. 235-245 on cooler days. 265 in 80+ degree days.
Normal driving without an oil cooler seeing 200-220 is typical. You actually want it to get up to 200 to burn off the contaminants.
I'm running an oil cooler because of track (road racing). Like Bill I see 265. 235-245 on cooler days. 265 in 80+ degree days.
Normal driving without an oil cooler seeing 200-220 is typical. You actually want it to get up to 200 to burn off the contaminants.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: greenville north carolina
Good info brother! 
Oil temperature is a function of engine RPM, not so much coolant. You don't really want oil temps hitting 300. If they are then you are flirting with loosing connecting rods and other bottom end internals. The temp sensor is not in the bottom of the block. So you can be assured the crank and everything connected to it is at least 20 degrees hotter. Last I had heard from a comment from GM engineer was that at 320 or so the bottom end is going to get really unhappy. Synthetic oil or not.
I'm running an oil cooler because of track (road racing). Like Bill I see 265. 235-245 on cooler days. 265 in 80+ degree days.
Normal driving without an oil cooler seeing 200-220 is typical. You actually want it to get up to 200 to burn off the contaminants.
I'm running an oil cooler because of track (road racing). Like Bill I see 265. 235-245 on cooler days. 265 in 80+ degree days.
Normal driving without an oil cooler seeing 200-220 is typical. You actually want it to get up to 200 to burn off the contaminants.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
My oil temps with break in oil on my new 403 have concerned me a little.
91 degrees= 192 coolant and 235 oil
100 degrees= 210 coolant and 245 oil
I am driving shifting back and forth from 3-6 and back down with RPM varying from 1.5k-4k
I have heard that the mineral (non synth) oil contributes to more friction as well as the new engine parts rubing more than a broken in motor. Truthfully I never monitored oil temps in my old 346 but the coolant temps were about 10 degrees cooler with my Meziere EWP and 160 thermo.
What do you think? Something wrong or to be expected? Thanks
Cajun
91 degrees= 192 coolant and 235 oil
100 degrees= 210 coolant and 245 oil
I am driving shifting back and forth from 3-6 and back down with RPM varying from 1.5k-4k
I have heard that the mineral (non synth) oil contributes to more friction as well as the new engine parts rubing more than a broken in motor. Truthfully I never monitored oil temps in my old 346 but the coolant temps were about 10 degrees cooler with my Meziere EWP and 160 thermo.
What do you think? Something wrong or to be expected? Thanks
Cajun
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: Santa Ynez Ca.
Made a 15 mile uphill run in 87 degree weather a couple of days ago and took several readings.
Max oil pressure was 54lbs.
Highest oil temp reached 225.
Highest water temp reached 199.
This was in my '01Z with 24k under moderate driving.
Max oil pressure was 54lbs.
Highest oil temp reached 225.
Highest water temp reached 199.
This was in my '01Z with 24k under moderate driving.
