oil cooler - is it really worth it?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
another thing to remember is the cooler your motor the more efficient it is, mine was getting 42 mpg when it was running 245, now it's running 275 and its only getting 35mpg (i can only assume because of the hotter oil), hoping the oil cooler will get me back to 40+ mpg, if it does it may eventually pay for itself in gas savings, can't wait to get this cooler on.
Remember~ oils thin as they heat up, so the pumping loses are less.
As far as oil temperatures go, every 10F over about 258F, your oil life gets "cut in half."
There are 2 ways to destroy the additive package in oils. One is to heat it up beyond design parameters.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Concerned about what's best for the engine and long term reliability. I've always been a proponent of prevention whenever reasonably possible.
So I can see why a cooler would be worth the money if I lived in Arizona or sitting in traffic a lot almost anywhere. As an engineer I love the idea of keeping oil cool but oil coolers aren't cheap, and since you have to "adapt" them to your Harley oil filter with more hoses, clamps and devices is the cooling benefit worth the risk of additional points of failure of your oil system?
I'd really like to hear any opinions and experience people have about this. Thanks.
So I can see why a cooler would be worth the money if I lived in Arizona or sitting in traffic a lot almost anywhere. As an engineer I love the idea of keeping oil cool but oil coolers aren't cheap, and since you have to "adapt" them to your Harley oil filter with more hoses, clamps and devices is the cooling benefit worth the risk of additional points of failure of your oil system?
I'd really like to hear any opinions and experience people have about this. Thanks.
http://dkcustomproducts.com/OUTLAW-H...K-OCOF-CRM.htm
But if you must have an oil cooler....check out DK Customs
http://dkcustomproducts.com/Sportster_c155.htm
Last edited by hscic; Mar 25, 2016 at 10:35 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 203
From: Fischer, Texas
Depends on your climate and riding. If your stuck bumper to bumper in a hot climate...I'd totally invest in one.
Traffic is always moving where I am , and it rarely gets too hot here in the northwest so the value of it is a lot less.
Once your moving...these bikes are fine.
Traffic is always moving where I am , and it rarely gets too hot here in the northwest so the value of it is a lot less.
Once your moving...these bikes are fine.
Does nothing in hot ambient temps while in stop and go traffic, as it needs air across it to help it cool the oil. If it by chance was made with a fan then maybe. Living in a hot climate with traffic congestion I have not needed one on previous scooters. JMHO
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 67
From: Los Angeles,ca
Lol. So it doesn't need new seats, air intake, exhaust, suspension, bars, stabilizers, etc. since HD doesn't include any decent ones? do you even have Dyna?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,176
Likes: 12,753
From: South Carolina
I bet that this subject has been beaten to death on every motorcycle forum there is.
But I have never seen a post that showed any premature wear or failure that was caused by oil breakdown, with or without an oil cooler (when correct grade oil was used)...
But I have never seen a post that showed any premature wear or failure that was caused by oil breakdown, with or without an oil cooler (when correct grade oil was used)...
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Mar 25, 2016 at 11:55 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
There it is.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,176
Likes: 12,753
From: South Carolina
In your opinion it needs these things.
Many people leave their bikes bone stock, I left my 1989 Softail bone stock for over 20 years.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 714
Likes: 120
Been running a big inch twin cam for many years on the street without an oil cooler.
Correct oil (I run Liquimoly), maintenance, and common sense, keeps these air cooled air pumps running a long time.
These Twin Cams are hot running, too hot for their own good; there's not a single magic bullet to help with the heat but rather it's a series of things that if done together can help in reducing the heat.
A good tune, both fuel and spark. A Jagg oil cooler, an A/C that vents hot oily crankcase gasses to atmosphere, an exhaust that's not overly baffled, a tank lift to increase air flow over the heads, a permanent oil filter to help reduce parasitic engine drag, a coil relocation to help reduce rear cylinder temperatures, and fans such as the Wards.
No one thing will get the temperature down but when doing these changes, all of which bring temperature reductions to the table you can ride as hard as you want in high ambient temps and still keep your engine and oil temps down.
A good tune, both fuel and spark. A Jagg oil cooler, an A/C that vents hot oily crankcase gasses to atmosphere, an exhaust that's not overly baffled, a tank lift to increase air flow over the heads, a permanent oil filter to help reduce parasitic engine drag, a coil relocation to help reduce rear cylinder temperatures, and fans such as the Wards.
No one thing will get the temperature down but when doing these changes, all of which bring temperature reductions to the table you can ride as hard as you want in high ambient temps and still keep your engine and oil temps down.
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