oil cooler - is it really worth it?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: South Carolina
oil cooler - is it really worth it?
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.
I do not have one on my FXDWG and I wish I had put one on a long time ago. My Roadglide came stock with one and I think it helps a great deal. Heat is the enemy with these bikes and anything you can do to cool them down adds to longevity. Stage one and removal of stock exhaust was a hugh improvement on both bikes. I have plans to install a Jagg oil cooler sometime in the future but really don't ride the Dyna that much anymore.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 9
From: Williamsport, MD
I figure if it helps save your stator once it's worth it, stators are a weak point on Harleys and if it goes your looking at least $500 to replace it.
I also wish I had just put one on earlier, I bought a low mount but then it didn't fit with my crash bar and I said screw it because the bike would only run 250 at hottest anyway, but then I had the cam tensioners done with S&S pushrods, new Johnson lifters and a baisley spring and now the bike is running 30 degrees hotter (not sure exactly why, maybe more oil to the heads) but now I pretty much need one so I got the $300 Jagg slim line I will be installing this weekend. Hoping it will stleast get me back down to 240 or so.
but for the $300, yes do it.. $300 is chump change when it comes to bikes, you'll spend more than that just on a back tire.
I also wish I had just put one on earlier, I bought a low mount but then it didn't fit with my crash bar and I said screw it because the bike would only run 250 at hottest anyway, but then I had the cam tensioners done with S&S pushrods, new Johnson lifters and a baisley spring and now the bike is running 30 degrees hotter (not sure exactly why, maybe more oil to the heads) but now I pretty much need one so I got the $300 Jagg slim line I will be installing this weekend. Hoping it will stleast get me back down to 240 or so.
but for the $300, yes do it.. $300 is chump change when it comes to bikes, you'll spend more than that just on a back tire.
Last edited by LunaticFringe; Mar 24, 2016 at 07:44 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 9
From: Williamsport, MD
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.
Last edited by LunaticFringe; Mar 24, 2016 at 08:09 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 130
From: Vancouver
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.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 130
From: Vancouver
I figure if it helps save your stator once it's worth it, stators are a weak point on Harleys and if it goes your looking at least $500 to replace it.
I also wish I had just put one on earlier, I bought a low mount but then it didn't fit with my crash bar and I said screw it because the bike would only run 250 at hottest anyway, but then I had the cam tensioners done with S&S pushrods, new Johnson lifters and a baisley spring and now the bike is running 30 degrees hotter (not sure exactly why, maybe more oil to the heads) but now I pretty much need one so I got the $300 Jagg slim line I will be installing this weekend. Hoping it will stleast get me back down to 240 or so.
but for the $300, yes do it.. $300 is chump change when it comes to bikes, you'll spend more than that just on a back tire.
I also wish I had just put one on earlier, I bought a low mount but then it didn't fit with my crash bar and I said screw it because the bike would only run 250 at hottest anyway, but then I had the cam tensioners done with S&S pushrods, new Johnson lifters and a baisley spring and now the bike is running 30 degrees hotter (not sure exactly why, maybe more oil to the heads) but now I pretty much need one so I got the $300 Jagg slim line I will be installing this weekend. Hoping it will stleast get me back down to 240 or so.
but for the $300, yes do it.. $300 is chump change when it comes to bikes, you'll spend more than that just on a back tire.
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Put a cooler on and don't look back. Ive done it for both my bikes. The sporty crew will swear you up and down that theres no need.... until they have engine damage from all the mods they did but, never made an effort to cool the bike. Don't let it be you.
money where mouth is:
Always one.
money where mouth is:
- my dynaOil Cooler Questions. -tons of info here
- my sportsterOil Cooler install write up
Always one.
Last edited by cvaria; Mar 24, 2016 at 09:00 PM.
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jeez... yours must be really nice tires.
http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/2014-harley-davidson-fxdwg-dyna-wide-glide-motorcycle-tires/t11?m=155183
http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/2014-harley-davidson-fxdwg-dyna-wide-glide-motorcycle-tires/t11?m=155183
Last edited by cvaria; Mar 24, 2016 at 08:36 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 9
From: Williamsport, MD
well tire with labor you're looking at $350 plus, i don't spend 5 hours of my Saturday to change my own tire. besides we're talking about $20k plus motorcycles, why not an extra $300? hell I spend more than that a year just in insurance., chump change!
Last edited by LunaticFringe; Mar 28, 2016 at 12:24 AM.