[Z06] High oil temperatures.................
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
High oil temperatures.................
I live in Texas and we have been having multiple days with ambient temperatures over 100 degrees F. During ordinary highway driving my (04 Z06) water temperature runs about where the thermostat opens (below 220, middle of my gauge) BUT my oil temperature runs 228 to 232 degrees every day at less than 1500rpm with cruise control???
My car is stock (no coolers) except for BBK and has about 50,000 miles on it. On track at CoTA I can only run about 5 or 6 laps before I hit 286 and have to cruise around in 6th to cool down.
My car is stock (no coolers) except for BBK and has about 50,000 miles on it. On track at CoTA I can only run about 5 or 6 laps before I hit 286 and have to cruise around in 6th to cool down.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 32
From: Ocala FL
Doesn't seem high to me. You're talking over 100 degrees which is probably well above 120 street temp. I hit near 300 at the track in 70 degree weather and decided I needed an oil cooler. With Florida heat and a large oil cooler taped up I'm still hitting close to 200 driving around stop light to stop light.
I don't see anything to worry about for street driving.
I don't see anything to worry about for street driving.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 3
From: Hobe Sound, Fl
Also in Florida with temps in the 90s.. I'm seeing oil temps 200-220 in traffic and 200ish cruising at 70 on the interstate. I normally shift around 2.5k-3k revs and try to keep it a higher gear when in town which seems to help a little? The longer the car sits at a light or in traffic the temps continue to climb so I wouldn't be too concerned, sounds like your car would be similar if it was in slightly cooler temps we have here.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
200-220 oil temps are ideal. Your coolant is probably a little high and taking the oil up with it. Try blowing all the weeds and crap out of the radiator, it made a world of difference on mine. Another thing that helped out was ditching the stock fans, the car runs cooler when moving now without that pesky shroud in the way.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 210
Likes: 8
From: Augusta GA
oil temp is within the norm especially ambient temp is so high. Living in the Southeast I experienced water and oil temp in that range by just communiting to work with 103F outside.
However someone mentioned it, your coolant temp can drag your oil temp with it. I run water wetter and distilled water ONLY. With stop and go traffic, AC on; my water temp never crossed 200F, and oil temp stayed below 220F.
A good question to ask is, did you check your oil level? It is not unheard of LS1/6 consume up to 1 quart every 3000 miles or so.
For trackday and oil temp. Nothing abnormal there, our car really need coolant and oil cooling upgrade to make it last on a full track outing. Of course, I probably wouldn't run 5w30 on trackday.
However someone mentioned it, your coolant temp can drag your oil temp with it. I run water wetter and distilled water ONLY. With stop and go traffic, AC on; my water temp never crossed 200F, and oil temp stayed below 220F.
A good question to ask is, did you check your oil level? It is not unheard of LS1/6 consume up to 1 quart every 3000 miles or so.
For trackday and oil temp. Nothing abnormal there, our car really need coolant and oil cooling upgrade to make it last on a full track outing. Of course, I probably wouldn't run 5w30 on trackday.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Just jumping in this thread since both are of relevance....
But basically, if you're wanting to track a C5Z (C5 in general), for fun even, you're going to want an oil cooler, radiator, and possibly different fans.
I understand that it's not all MUST HAVE stuff, but would you guys with experience say that it would be money well spent to go for these things before hand, if money wasn't the first concern?
But basically, if you're wanting to track a C5Z (C5 in general), for fun even, you're going to want an oil cooler, radiator, and possibly different fans.
I understand that it's not all MUST HAVE stuff, but would you guys with experience say that it would be money well spent to go for these things before hand, if money wasn't the first concern?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
Just jumping in this thread since both are of relevance....
But basically, if you're wanting to track a C5Z (C5 in general), for fun even, you're going to want an oil cooler, radiator, and possibly different fans.
I understand that it's not all MUST HAVE stuff, but would you guys with experience say that it would be money well spent to go for these things before hand, if money wasn't the first concern?
But basically, if you're wanting to track a C5Z (C5 in general), for fun even, you're going to want an oil cooler, radiator, and possibly different fans.
I understand that it's not all MUST HAVE stuff, but would you guys with experience say that it would be money well spent to go for these things before hand, if money wasn't the first concern?
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 666
Likes: 30
From: Milwaukee WI
Without a doubt if money is a concern or not, it will be cheaper to cool the motor and oil then replace the motor. It really takes a lot to drive up water temps on track. Load and high ambient temps are required amd it still hard mostly due to the fact that you will have to run cooldown laps for oil temps before the water temps get too high. Oil is fairly easy to push to 300 and beyond if you are pushing the car at all. Dewitts with eoc works if you drive 9/10th. That is what i run and i am not slow, at RA cutting low 240's on street tires, multiple laps in succession and i see 20X water temp and 250 to 262 oil once warm at 85 ambient. If you are really ***** out, you may need a fairly big stand alone. I have heard of people that 19 rows aren't enough. If you buy a 25 row you will need a radiator anyways i imagine as it blocks a bunch of it.
Last edited by Socko; Jul 29, 2015 at 06:10 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 6
From: Corvette Owner since 1971 - 2004 Z06 Florida
We've been having 99F and 100F days here too this summer and my oil temp runs in the 210s to 220s on the highway and 230s when I run the RPMs up on my 2004 Z06 in the hot weather. It's been the same since the car was new. I flush the radiator and put in new coolant every three years, but it makes no difference in the temps.