Do oil coolers work?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 920
Likes: 3
From: Austell, GA
RE: Do oil coolers work?
ORIGINAL: Bighorse
Do these things work & is there any PROOF one way or the other? Has anyone ever done a test?
Do these things work & is there any PROOF one way or the other? Has anyone ever done a test?
Does colder beer taste better? Yep
Does wetter poontang feel better? Yep
Do smoother roads ride better? Yep
Does cooler oil lube better, break down less, and last longer? Hmmmmmmm....
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Do oil coolers work?
Do they work? YES. Is more better? YES. My ultra has 3 oil coolers. One HD lowmount, and 2 Jagg downtube mount. I also have a fan that cools the cylinders similar to the HD parade fan. I bought my bike to ride. If it is 100 degrees outside, I want to ride, I do. If I get stuck in traffic, I'm ok. My temps in the 100 degree heat run 200 degrees when moving, 220 when stopped. In the winter, I run 190-200 degrees most of the time. The fan works great in traffic. I too had heat management issues in traffic before I installed the fan. You are the only one who knows whether or not you need a cooler. If your bike exceeds 220 degrees on a regular basis, you might want to think about getting one. If you have problems in traffic, consider the fan alternative.
nogood o~`o
nogood o~`o
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
RE: Do oil coolers work?
Obviously there are still some who are lost on the concept of thermal conductivity, so here's a hands-on approach that may aid the learning process:
For those who think oil coolers "don't work" or "only work when moving," go find a motorcycle with an oil cooler sitting stationary in traffic on a hot summer day. Grab hold of the oil cooler and hang on to it for about 30 seconds, (longer if you're a slow learner.) Don't worry- it's not hot or anything because the cooler isn't absorbing and expelling any heat from the engine oil, right?
Once you reach this point you should have a thorough understanding of the practice of heat transfer, but may still lack knowledge of the theory involved. So, on the way home from the hospital stop in at Waldenbooks & pick up any book on "basic heat transfer."
You'll be able to turn the pages with your good hand while you learn all about why your other hand is in bandages. [sm=icon_rofl.gif]
For those who think oil coolers "don't work" or "only work when moving," go find a motorcycle with an oil cooler sitting stationary in traffic on a hot summer day. Grab hold of the oil cooler and hang on to it for about 30 seconds, (longer if you're a slow learner.) Don't worry- it's not hot or anything because the cooler isn't absorbing and expelling any heat from the engine oil, right?
Once you reach this point you should have a thorough understanding of the practice of heat transfer, but may still lack knowledge of the theory involved. So, on the way home from the hospital stop in at Waldenbooks & pick up any book on "basic heat transfer."
You'll be able to turn the pages with your good hand while you learn all about why your other hand is in bandages. [sm=icon_rofl.gif]
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 8
From:
RE: Do oil coolers work?
I talked with an owner of a Harley Davidson Dealership and the first thing he does on all of his bikes is add an oil cooler. He said that mother Harley wants you to come back for engine work. Adding an oil cooler seriously delays that fact. He said that mother Harley also wants to SELL you an oil cooler. After all.. its a $300.00 item min and I bet they wack you for at least $100-$150 to install it.
He said that he wouldn't even ride one of the CVO 110 motors without an oil cooler. He recommended the one with the thermostat. They \\;make a bypass for them too.
 \\;
My Stage 2.5+ Sportster can get to 250 degrees easily. It averages around 210-220. He told me that for a 1988 1200 I should be running around 190. I am looking into oil coolers now.
He said that he wouldn't even ride one of the CVO 110 motors without an oil cooler. He recommended the one with the thermostat. They \\;make a bypass for them too.
 \\;
My Stage 2.5+ Sportster can get to 250 degrees easily. It averages around 210-220. He told me that for a 1988 1200 I should be running around 190. I am looking into oil coolers now.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
RE: Do oil coolers work?
I am sure they work well. \\; My Ducati comes with an oil cooler from the factory. \\; I am sure Ducati wouldn't waste money on an oil cooler if they didn't work.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Do oil coolers work?
Even though the engine is "air cooled" the only liquid "coolant" is the oil. Without this cooling effect of the oil the engine would surely melt. Engines DO need to be warm to run properly, at least carbuereted engines, but not HOT. \\; Less critical with EFI. \\; You will get better power from it if it's not too hot. \\; This is why drag racers will put dry ice can in their cars and run the fuel line through the dry ice. More expansion with cooler air/fuel mixture. Extremely hot engines will heat up the air/fuel
 \\;mixture before compression and actually allow less a/f in than a cooler engine. You should keep your engine the coolest temp possible that still allows the engine to run well. \\; This is what I learned @ New England Tech (for Automotive).
 \\;mixture before compression and actually allow less a/f in than a cooler engine. You should keep your engine the coolest temp possible that still allows the engine to run well. \\; This is what I learned @ New England Tech (for Automotive).
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
RE: Do oil coolers work?
ORIGINAL: billk
Let's see, HD making MC's for over a hundred years, \\;yet some "aftermarkets" think...ummm, oil too hot, need cooler. \\; Along comes Papa Ned. \\; My oil is too hot...Along comes Momma Ned...my oil is too cold...Along comes Baby Ned, my oil is just right...
A friend lost out on part of his trip...line blew on the oil cooler that he did not need, IMHO. \\; Let's all add some additional \\;maintenance issues. We are smarter that Harley \\;engineers. \\; Snake Oil, IMHO.
Let's see, HD making MC's for over a hundred years, \\;yet some "aftermarkets" think...ummm, oil too hot, need cooler. \\; Along comes Papa Ned. \\; My oil is too hot...Along comes Momma Ned...my oil is too cold...Along comes Baby Ned, my oil is just right...
A friend lost out on part of his trip...line blew on the oil cooler that he did not need, IMHO. \\; Let's all add some additional \\;maintenance issues. We are smarter that Harley \\;engineers. \\; Snake Oil, IMHO.
My bike came stock with a cooler. \\; Little miss-informed?