Engine Oil Temps

[combustor]

Looks like blocking air to the oil cooler may be necessary in colder weather for the track pack/R cars. OAT was about 35F last night and pushing it hard (full throttle acceleration, slow, downshift, full throttle again) the OT hovered around 180-185. Only very briefly did it top 190. As soon as I stopped for a traffic light for a minute it dropped into the 170s. This was over an hour of driving. I'm guessing there's no thermostat in the oil system. On a actual track I'm sure it's not an issue. I'll bet that commuting in overdrive on a cold day the oil doesn't ever get hot enough to boil off the water though. So, just be aware that you may need to change your oil pretty often in winter if you DD this thing, keep an eye on the temps. I'm assuming these are inlet oil temps, can someone confirm the location of the probe?

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[Hack]

Good points. I was more worried about the transmission and rear diff coolers being a problem in cold weather, but cold engine oil will shorten the engine's life dramatically.

 

[mattlqx]

Isn't 180 degrees F a warm engine though? You could maybe use a higher weight oil during winter months, though I'm not an expert on that.

Why does oil have to get over 212 degrees to "boil off the water"? Why would there be water in it at all? If there were, wouldn't it just recollect since it's a closed system?

 

[combustor]

Isn't 180 degrees F a warm engine though? You could maybe use a higher weight oil during winter months, though I'm not an expert on that.

Why does oil have to get over 212 degrees to "boil off the water"? Why would there be water in it at all? If there were, wouldn't it just recollect since it's a closed system?

The primary products of combustion are CO2 and H2O. Since oil is subject to combustion products via blow-by, it gets water. If water stays it forms acid. Oil has additives to neutralize acid up to a point, then things get bad. 180 is probably warm enough because the delta T through the engine before it hits the cooler again is high enough to get over 212. That's why short trips are bad as opposed to >20 minute drives that get the engine to operating temperature for a meaningful period. Its not a completely closed system. Lookup positive crankcase ventilation.

 

[flaps]

Isn't 180 degrees F a warm engine though? You could maybe use a higher weight oil during winter months, though I'm not an expert on that.

You would need a lower weight oil in the winter.

 

[Hack]

Ford recommends multi-viscosity oil. This allows the oil to behave like a lighter weight in cold temperatures and a heavier weight in warm temperatures.

 

[Hack]

I was driving in single digits and below zero F weather and noticed that the oil stays around 150 F degrees.

When it's closer to 30 F the oil temperature is around 163 F or so.

 

[GT_Dave]

Looks like blocking air to the oil cooler may be necessary in colder weather for the track pack/R cars.

The Tech Pack cars have the same oil cooler as the track and R, this issue applies to most cars, not sure about the base model only cars.

 

[combustor]

The Tech Pack cars have the same oil cooler as the track and R, this issue applies to most cars, not sure about the base model only cars.

yep, when I wrote this nobody had a tech car to look at and confirm yet

 

[bruce0293]

oil temps

Guys,

I have a gt350 0n order, at present 1-5-16 build date. I too have a C6GS with factory oil cooler... a couple of comments: The C6 that I competitively autocross might see 195-205 of 90+ days in the Pittsburgh area(while doing autocross runs of APROX 45 SEC), and I've see 212 after 20 minutes at full tilt tract speeds (130 0N STRAIGHTS) on Pittsburgh International Race Complex. On a cool 50 degree day cruising I might see 145-150?

For what it is worth, everything I have ever heard is that we need about 150 degrees oil for the motor parts to be fully expanded and for oil to work well. Some corvette guys will shield the cooler on chilly days....

FYI: if the oil it cool, so are the tire and pavement= No adhesion!!!! I have been successfully autocrossing for many years, please know not to horse the car on chilly days unless you are prepared to write it off.

Not over speaking, something for you to filter...k

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