oil temps reaching 243F
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 404
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From: Napa Ca
oil temps reaching 243F
i was cruising around the other day and getting on it a little bit and the temp reached 243 is that high?? lately its been right around 235-240F seems a little warm to me. would a lower thermostat help??? 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
lower thermostat will not help oil temperatures.
243 is not a big deal for hard driving. I see that temp on the track even with my Dewitts radiator and Oil cooler. As a mater of fact many track guys see upwards of 300 degrees when really getting on it. Although I dont recommend that for a long period of time.
what is your normal cruise temp? do you have readings without getting on it?
243 is not a big deal for hard driving. I see that temp on the track even with my Dewitts radiator and Oil cooler. As a mater of fact many track guys see upwards of 300 degrees when really getting on it. Although I dont recommend that for a long period of time.
what is your normal cruise temp? do you have readings without getting on it?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 734
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From: Austin TX
Those temps are a little high, but not unexpected in the summer heat with a car that's low to the pavement. As the pavement gets heated by the sun it' makes the engine compartment like an oven. I'd definately reccomend a 160* thermostat and have your fans reprogrammed to turn on at a lower temperature. I find my average oil temp stays between 195* and 210*, exactly where it should be even in Texas heat and a 383.
BTW, for saftey's sake I wouldn't beat on the throttle if your oil temp goes past 225*. Just my $.02.
BTW, for saftey's sake I wouldn't beat on the throttle if your oil temp goes past 225*. Just my $.02.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 404
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From: Napa Ca
cruising temps run around 220-230 id say.... i mean i know these things run hot for emissions.... but cruising id think it should only be around 215-220. and what do u guys see for oil pressure ... mine runs right around 20 psi when stopped and 30-40 when driving im using amsoil 5w-30
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by blackc598
cruising temps run around 220-230 id say.... i mean i know these things run hot for emissions.... but cruising id think it should only be around 215-220. and what do u guys see for oil pressure ... mine runs right around 20 psi when stopped and 30-40 when driving im using amsoil 5w-30
my crusing temps use to be around 225 for my car. Your hot standing oil pressure is ok at 20. I assume it is higher when you start it up in the morning based on the fact that you are seeing 30-40 when driving.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Granville Ohio
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16'17-'18-'19-'20-21
Maybe check the radiator for debris, you could have a plastic bag or something restricting airflow. Especially if this just started running higher temps out of nowhere. Just a thought.
Last edited by OhioDave; Oct 9, 2006 at 02:38 PM.
Race Director
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From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
243 is nothing to worry about. Saturday at Sears Point (infinion) during a HPDE I saw a peak oil temp of 290* during one session. Allthough not good for extended periods of time, it was fine during a hard session. I will change the oil before driving it again.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I agree that 243 is nothing to worry about. Too many people think you have to stick a lower thermo in every car to solve non-existent problems. I regularly saw 290+ on my 97 when running on the track and when I got my 03Z I was hitting 319 at times. With a DRM oil cooler I am seeing about 250 after 20 to 40 minutes on the track.
Bill
Bill
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From: King George VA
Back when my car was a daily driver, I would routinely see oil temps in the 240s if I ran it hard. It should cool back down to about 212F or so if you cruise around in 5th or 6th for a few minutes.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 179
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From: Surprise Az
I always drive with my oil temp displayed in the DIC. Typically I see 214 to 220 on the street, in Phx, with outside temps over 100. If I push it a little or run up top I'll see upper 230's to upper 240's. I also run with a full 7 qts of oil all the time, Mobil 1 5W30.
I ran my first DE a week ago at Firebird in Phx (damn is that fun!! woo hoo!) and I saw 293 on my last (4th) session. I rushed home and changed the oil.
I was a little concerned until I read this thread. Thanks for the peace of mind fellas.
I ran my first DE a week ago at Firebird in Phx (damn is that fun!! woo hoo!) and I saw 293 on my last (4th) session. I rushed home and changed the oil.
I was a little concerned until I read this thread. Thanks for the peace of mind fellas.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: King George VA
Something to make you lose sleep at night... an SAE 30 grade oil's viscosity at 300F is about 3-4 cSt where it is about 10-12 cSt at a more normal 212F. FYI an SAE 5 grade oil's viscosity at 212F is about 3.8 cSt... thus when you are running your 30 grade oil at 300F you effectively the viscosity provided by a 5 grade oil at normal temps... 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
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From: SoCal
I have a 402 and Dewitts with internal EOC. Normal driving 207-215.
At the track 250-270 but depending on outside temps and track I have gotten up to 290.
I currently have 20-50 wt which just feels better than the 5-30. My idle oil pressure is 30-32 and at 2500 rpm its 42-45.
DH
At the track 250-270 but depending on outside temps and track I have gotten up to 290.
I currently have 20-50 wt which just feels better than the 5-30. My idle oil pressure is 30-32 and at 2500 rpm its 42-45.
DH
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
oil temp
an engine machinist told me:
1. the normal coolant temp should be 190 no load, cruise, flat and level
2. oil temp should be within 100 degrees or less of coolant temp
3. nobody blows an engine at idle
4. check oil press at 1500 RPM and 3000 RPM if they are the same, no worries.
1. the normal coolant temp should be 190 no load, cruise, flat and level
2. oil temp should be within 100 degrees or less of coolant temp
3. nobody blows an engine at idle
4. check oil press at 1500 RPM and 3000 RPM if they are the same, no worries.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by MattB
My vote is normal. Do some searches here, I think mobil 1 is good to +350 or something.
consistant 250-260 or higher is time to be concerned.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by coupeguy2001
an engine machinist told me:
4. check oil press at 1500 RPM and 3000 RPM if they are the same, no worries.
4. check oil press at 1500 RPM and 3000 RPM if they are the same, no worries.
I would think oil pressure should be more at double the RPM...
DH