Engine oil cooler question
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: TX
RE: Engine oil cooler question
When I bought my 1995 Road King used it had a cooler on it that says Harley-Davidson. Maybe something themoco offered back then. It sits in front of the voltage regulator with the oil lines running under the frame. It can't hurt with high heat in TX.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
RE: Engine oil cooler question
OK, I had one disagree with my oil coolers are not needed reply. Let me clarify one thing. I am only talking about a stock Evo, if your motor is builtI do not know if a oil cooler is necessary. That would be up to you, and whatyour oil temp guage reads.
That said, if your motor is running cold that is a bad thing. The motor must warm up to operating temp or the metal will not expand the correct amount and, very important the motor will not get rid of the moisture that builds in the motor with every shut down and run time.
This is not a HD thing this is with all motors. Running at too cold a temp is bad for the motor. They may run best when cold but they will not last. Take the thermostat out of your car and run it cold for a while and see how long it lasts. Air cooled bikes are no different.
Again b4 wasting money on a oil cooler get a $20.00 oil temp guage and see if you need it. If you have a oil cooler get the guage and check if you are running cold. Sitting stilldoes not count because you are sitting still very little. All old time bikers knows that if you are stopped for more thanthe time of a light plus you shouldshut your motor down or get moving. HDs are air cooled.
That said, if your motor is running cold that is a bad thing. The motor must warm up to operating temp or the metal will not expand the correct amount and, very important the motor will not get rid of the moisture that builds in the motor with every shut down and run time.
This is not a HD thing this is with all motors. Running at too cold a temp is bad for the motor. They may run best when cold but they will not last. Take the thermostat out of your car and run it cold for a while and see how long it lasts. Air cooled bikes are no different.
Again b4 wasting money on a oil cooler get a $20.00 oil temp guage and see if you need it. If you have a oil cooler get the guage and check if you are running cold. Sitting stilldoes not count because you are sitting still very little. All old time bikers knows that if you are stopped for more thanthe time of a light plus you shouldshut your motor down or get moving. HDs are air cooled.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: canton ny
RE: Engine oil cooler question
Again, what is this magic # temp. you are referring to.Iam talking a degree # here.Operating temp. will be whatever temp. the engine will be at any given time.I want to know what your ideal oil temp. is?My motor is juiced up but probably runs cooler than a stocker anyway.One disagreed because a lot of people DIDN`T read this thread.Toby
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
RE: Engine oil cooler question
ORIGINAL: lionsm13
JMO, but I think that you want to run between 200-230, and anything over that, you probably need an oil cooler on.
JMO, but I think that you want to run between 200-230, and anything over that, you probably need an oil cooler on.
It is a old wife's tale that a cold motor is a good motor.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
RE: Engine oil cooler question
ORIGINAL: 89 FXRS
[and I live in the hottest place in the US, South Florida.
It is a old wife's tale that a cold motor is a good motor.
[and I live in the hottest place in the US, South Florida.
It is a old wife's tale that a cold motor is a good motor.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: canton ny
RE: Engine oil cooler question
ORIGINAL: 89 FXRS
JMO, Thank you for looking up what Toby is to busy to do. I do not want to argue something that I know. Toby, if you doubt my temp reply, and I live in the hottest place in the US, South Florida.Call HD Tech's but make sure that he is a motor tech.
It is a old wife's tale that a cold motor is a good motor. You were the one to mention it so I assumed you were gonna look it up.My bike always runs well below 200 and I like it that way.The thing that got me was that you told everyone who had an oil cooler on an evo to take it off! Pretty bold ,and unwarranted statement.Your opinion is good for you,but you can`t push it on others who have a good thing going already or are in need of real advice on something they are unfamiliar with.I realize that opinions are mostly what is on these boards but I think your assessment of the oil coolers is misinformed.Run YOUR engine hot,Bruce may not want to!Got to go now,I`m busy!Toby
ORIGINAL: lionsm13
JMO, but I think that you want to run between 200-230, and anything over that, you probably need an oil cooler on.
JMO, but I think that you want to run between 200-230, and anything over that, you probably need an oil cooler on.
It is a old wife's tale that a cold motor is a good motor. You were the one to mention it so I assumed you were gonna look it up.My bike always runs well below 200 and I like it that way.The thing that got me was that you told everyone who had an oil cooler on an evo to take it off! Pretty bold ,and unwarranted statement.Your opinion is good for you,but you can`t push it on others who have a good thing going already or are in need of real advice on something they are unfamiliar with.I realize that opinions are mostly what is on these boards but I think your assessment of the oil coolers is misinformed.Run YOUR engine hot,Bruce may not want to!Got to go now,I`m busy!Toby
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
RE: Engine oil cooler question
ORIGINAL: tobyhd1
JMO,
My bike always runs well below 200 and I like it that way.The thing that got me was that you told everyone who had an oil cooler on an evo to take it off! Pretty bold ,and unwarranted statement.Your opinion is good for you,but you can`t push it on others who have a good thing going already or are in need of real advice on something they are unfamiliar with.I realize that opinions are mostly what is on these boards but I think your assessment of the oil coolers is misinformed.Run YOUR engine hot,Bruce may not want to!Got to go now,I`m busy!Toby
JMO,
My bike always runs well below 200 and I like it that way.The thing that got me was that you told everyone who had an oil cooler on an evo to take it off! Pretty bold ,and unwarranted statement.Your opinion is good for you,but you can`t push it on others who have a good thing going already or are in need of real advice on something they are unfamiliar with.I realize that opinions are mostly what is on these boards but I think your assessment of the oil coolers is misinformed.Run YOUR engine hot,Bruce may not want to!Got to go now,I`m busy!Toby
Please if you want to quote someone then quote right and not from memory what I said was, and I quote, "For those of you that have a oil cooler on your Evo I would recommend that you get a temp gauge right away. Then Take the oil cooler off. Covering it will not work."
This is from experience, probably something that you have little of but have a opinion on. If you want to run cold, go ahead, nobody cares.
You have the facts, the reason that your bike runs cold is obvious. Have fun rebuilding your motor, or my mistake having someone rebuild your motor for you..
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 2
From: Sigourney, Iowa
RE: Engine oil cooler question
At an Aviation Maintenance Conference many years, one of the forums was a Rep from Shell representing AeroShell.
In regards to air cooled piston Lycoming and Continental engines, he told us that the oil temp gauge needed to reach 180 deg even in the winter. He said that if the oil temp in the reservoir was 180, that the temp was over 212 in the "top end" of the engine, thus boiling off any moisture in the oil. We were supposed to put the block off plate in front of the cooler if we weren't seeing the specified 180 deg. reading.
I would assume that the principal remains the same. As a point of reference, piston aviation engines cruise at 2,300- 2,400 RPM.
In regards to air cooled piston Lycoming and Continental engines, he told us that the oil temp gauge needed to reach 180 deg even in the winter. He said that if the oil temp in the reservoir was 180, that the temp was over 212 in the "top end" of the engine, thus boiling off any moisture in the oil. We were supposed to put the block off plate in front of the cooler if we weren't seeing the specified 180 deg. reading.
I would assume that the principal remains the same. As a point of reference, piston aviation engines cruise at 2,300- 2,400 RPM.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
RE: Engine oil cooler question
ORIGINAL: tobyhd1
.My bike always runs well below 200 and I like it that way.The thing that got me was that you told everyone who had an oil cooler on an evo to take it off! Pretty bold ,and unwarranted statement.Your opinion is good for you,but you can`t push it on others who have a good thing going already or are in need of real advice on something they are unfamiliar with.I realize that opinions are mostly what is on these boards but I think your assessment of the oil coolers is misinformed.Run YOUR engine hot,Bruce may not want to!Got to go now,I`m busy!Toby
ORIGINAL: 89 FXRSI have a guage and an oil cooler.Wouldn`t go without either one.?With my oil cooler exposed on a 85 degree day ,my bike will run 175-180 deg. with coated pistons and Amsoil 20-50..
I copied this from the HD web site : What oil temperature is best for my Harley-Davidson?
A good oil operating temperature range is 200 deg to 240 deg F. Water condensation and acids tend to build up in the oil if the temperature is consistently below 180 deg F, and oil thickness can become marginal at temperatures above 300 deg F.
Toby, If you don't know what you are talking about, shut your mouth or stupid pours out.
If I give a opinion I will tell you it is a opinion. If I make a statement I will back it up with facts. That said, if you have a oil cooler on your Evo unless your name is Toby, be careful and check your oil temp as you may be running to cold and do damage to your motor.