just thought i would put this out there, would like to see what peoples engines are running at with reference to engine oil temp and what gauges they're using.
is 100 degree's too hot

depends where it is measured

It is more to do with change rather than temperature

But for me, if it doesnt get above 90C - its too cold

I would be backing off it it was heading past 120C

If it got to 90C driving round the block - worry
If it got to 125C after driving at 120km/hr for an hour uphill pulling a trailer - your cool

You have a 2.2L with external cooler though dont you??

Yeah, sits on about 100 - 102 celcius

I try to kep mine around 100 degrees, my engine is a 2275 with 10.8 to one, i read my temp after the cooler so i know it is effective, if you buy a IR gun you can measure the temp at diffrent points around the engine, it is very interesting.

If you oil is at 100 comming out of the cooler, what sort of temps would you expect using your IR gun if you pionted it on the sump?????

When hot oil cools down, it absorbs moisture. If oil is not getting up to or over 100 degrees Celsius, it will not boil the moisture out of the oil.
Getting an engine up to temperature for a reasonable amount of time will keep the oil in good condition. Cheers Dave

As others have said, you really want to get over 100 so any water has a chance to boil out. This normally shows up as that mayonnaise type gunk on underside of the filler cap.

IMHO 105'ish is a nice temp... 115 back off, 120 switch off.

If you point the IR gun at the sump you will not get the oil temp, you will get the case temp with heat migrating down from the barrels and other parts that generate heat, this is why i will not put the sender in the easy location, the block of plate for the type three dip stick, if you measure the oil coming out of the sump at a fitting on the output hose mine reads about 15 to 20 degrees lower than the case, if you know what the delta T across the cooler you can work out the oil temp in the sump by adding this to the oil temp comming out of the cooler, i never try to run my mineral oil over the 100 degrees as it can change the structure of the oil and have never had any issues with foam in the oil filler on any of my engines, i also run a thermostat in my system as it gets the oil up to temp quicker have a controller that runs the fan on the cooler so you can set the turn on and turn of point to suit what ever you want. i have since changed the oil cooler since this photo was taken to a truecool that is 11" square.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ENGINE-GUARDIAN-EG-2-WATCHDOG-TEMP-SENSOR-GAUGE-AL...

Hi

It would be extreme day for the oil temp in my sons 1303 to go near 100 c, this is measured at the Type 3 blank off location, motor is a mild 1904 cc with no internal cooler and a front mounted cooler using a thermostat.

Steve

Just ran the single port, single relief , twin carb, blow through turbo type 3 ghia to Melbourne & back over the weekend,
Even with one lead being off for a while, the hottest it got all trip was 114 on the gauge, just backed off a bit & it came down fairly quickly, most of the trip was during the day & at around 105 Klm's an hour.

I'm with Sides, run around 90-105, hot 115, too hot 120+

My oil temp sender is at the block off plate, after talking to Rod Penrose today it seems to be normal. And also taking to dyno soon for a tune at southern motorworks:-)

My sender is in the Type 3 block off plate and the oil temp rarely gets over 80°C. Normally it sits between 70-80°C.

It is in a Baja though. So buttloads of airflow over all parts of the engine.


Smiley

Here's a service notice from VW in 1957; so 1200's with non-doghouse coolers and single relief cases etc etc.... gives an idea of optimal temps though

Thanks for posting Sander.

Another thing to consider is the type, and quality of the oil......and how long it's been since the last oil change.

Different types and brands 'break down' at different temperatures, and deteriorate with use and contamination.....use good quality oil, and change it regularly.

Cheers Sander for that service notice it is of some good help. Now which is the best oil, i'm using valvoline. New post, or has there been a post!

Quote:

Originally posted by sander288 Here's a service notice from VW in 1957; so 1200's with non-doghouse coolers and single relief cases etc etc.... gives an idea of optimal temps though

Cheers