low oil temp
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
low oil temp
seems my oil temps only get to 160 - 180 while riding. even in summer it only get to about 180. im using one of those temp gauges that go in the oil tank filler. i have a inferred temp unit i can point at the tank and get the temps and it seems to be the same. should i be running hotter temps. what would cause the oil temp to be so low. also i have a oil cooler with the thermostat valve in line.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
It is possible that the thermostat is stuck open or defective. To check it take your infrared thermometer and see if the hoses going too and from the oil cooler shw that oil is flowing through it. Hope this helps.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: SW ohio
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, AZ
"also i have a oil cooler with the thermostat valve in line" Not hot enough here in AZ at this time so that's why you're seeing lower than normal temps with the cooler. "have a inferred temp unit i can point at the tank and get the temps and it seems to be the same" What's the HEAD temperature at? That's the one to worry about. If you're not hearing any abnormal noises from the valve train or the starter is lugging on start-up, I'd say the oil is moving around fine.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
well then i guess its normal. i also live here in arizona robzuc97, i think thats why the original owner had the oil cooler installed from the dealer when he bought it new, its a 90 fxstc. i did the inferred temps at the heads and believe there where some where around 400 degrees but not sure of that.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
My temp guage dipstick reads closer to 150, 175 on my '89 Evo with high comp pistons and an oil cooler, although that's in SF Bay area where the temps range from 55-75 right now. Running Redline oil.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,199
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
Yeah, that's normal. 400F on the heads is probably not a correct reading or you're reading the exhaust pipe. I found the Sportster heads to run 180-230-ish F in datalogging from the cylinder head temp sensor bolted to the top middle motor mount on #1.