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Low oil temp for extended drives - bad for engine?

MCarsFan

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Its been very cold here these past few days (around 3F with wind chill) and I m noticing that my oil temp wont go over 158F. I always shift around 4k rpm and keep revs at 2500 cruising. Is this bad for the engine in the long run? I drove for 20-25 min today and it would go down to 145 if I sat in red light and go back up to 158F.

Maybe lighter oil for winter?
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firestarter2

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Its been very cold here these past few days (around 3F with wind chill) and I m noticing that my oil temp wont go over 158F. I always shift around 4k rpm and keep revs at 2500 cruising. Is this bad for the engine in the long run? I drove for 20-25 min today and it would go down to 145 if I sat in red light and go back up to 158F.

Maybe lighter oil for winter?
Good question, I think if you do not beat on it you are fine. I would not exceed 5K rpm though. What are your oil pressures like?

I noticed mine doesnt like it when its could Id also be concerned the transmission being too cold.

That being said when the pipes in my basement freeze I wont drive it.
 
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jasonstang

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I don't think lighter oil is gonna be any better.
Most cars don't have the engine oil warmed up in the winter.
 

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GT_Dave

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You need to keep in mind the basic mechanics of the FPC engine are not any different from your normal daily driver engine. Other than you have about 2X the oil pressure feeding the engine lubrication. This car has been cycle tested in cold temperatures much lower than you will ever encounter. If you drive it normally, the negative aspects of cold weather driving won't be any worse than lesser cars. As stated above, if it makes you feel better disconnect the engine oil cooler, or easier yet, block it with some cardboard. this engine cruises fine at 2000 RPM around town and there is no reason to rev it over 4000 RPM, there is plenty of power in that range if you feel it is not warming up.
 

Trackaholic

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It won't hurt anything. If you are really concerned, try blocking the airflow to the oil cooler in order to reduce it's effectiveness. Like the grill covers you see on big rigs in the winter.

-T
 
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MCarsFan

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Is the comment regarding disconnecting oil cooler serious or sarcastic?:) if serious, how would this work without making a big mess?:)

Yes I am using 05w50 oil, C spec motorcraft.
 

TonyJ5150

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TonyJ5150

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Is the comment regarding disconnecting oil cooler serious or sarcastic?:) if serious, how would this work without making a big mess?:)

Yes I am using 05w50 oil, C spec motorcraft.
Try the old Trucker trick...cover half the cooler front with a piece of cardboard...see if it helps...if not try it all...
 

Voodooo

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Just drain the oil it'll heat up
 

Tank

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Just drain the oil it'll heat up
How much should I take out to allow me to get my engine temp over 190 degrees when it's below zero? I wanna get to redline but we're having a cold snap up here:headbang:
 

Voodooo

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How much should I take out to allow me to get my engine temp over 190 degrees when it's below zero? I wanna get to redline but we're having a cold snap up here:headbang:
Well I'm in Michigan and I drained 9 quarts from mine and we been in the -3 to -10F temps. It's heats up fast!
 

melwff

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You cannt be serious!

How much should I take out to allow me to get my engine temp over 190 degrees when it's below zero? I wanna get to redline but we're having a cold snap up here:headbang:
You're actually asking how much oil to remove from the engine knowing that an oil starved engine will fail dramatically at redline?
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