Engine Temp. Question

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 25, 2009 | 06:51 PM

#11

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

Likes: 821

From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

These are the averages after at least 1/2 hr riding. Out side temp from 70-95.

Our town is on the small side, and traffic flow is usually on one way streets where we don't have many stop & go. The Highway are State roads not Interstates..

07 Flstc. She ran (225-230 Highway), (235-245 town), when new, high of 245-250, in other towns in heavy traffic.

After stage I and Syn 3 oil she would usually be (220-225 highway), (225-235 town), high of 240-245, in other towns in heavy traffic.

After I had somewhere between9-10K on her, I could tell a difference in the way the motor ran, Think it took that long to brake in really good. She just ran better and the Temp was a little better, still (215-225 Highway) - (220-230 town), high of 235-240. in other towns in heavy traffic.

Now this spring installed the cams, now she runs (205-215 highway), and (210-220 in town). Most I seen so far is 230 waiting on train in heavy traffic.

I still have the stock headers on but with Rush 2". Don't really know if A.M.'s pipes would help any more but the cams made the most difference.

Jul 25, 2009 | 07:08 PM

#12

harleydude68

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 872

Likes: 1

From: Uxbridge, Ma

Thanks for all the input. I just installed a PCV on my 06 RKC. I took it out for about a 1/2 hr trip mixed highway / in town riding. Out side temp today in the 80's When I got back home I checked the temp using the lap top software into the PCV and it read 255. According to all of you that is on the high side??????? Any suggestions (besides the oil cooler install).

Jul 25, 2009 | 07:44 PM

#13

jimmers1817

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 6,975

Likes: 12

From: NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleydude68

Head temp? Lilbudywizer says that's normal. If the oil temp was that high I'd say you're running too hot and you would know it by the smoke emanating up from your nads.

Jul 25, 2009 | 11:52 PM

#14

harleydude68

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 872

Likes: 1

From: Uxbridge, Ma

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmers1817

Head temp? Lilbudywizer says that's normal. If the oil temp was that high I'd say you're running too hot and you would know it by the smoke emanating up from your nads.

I'm guessing that is what the software is reading from the power commader is the temp at the heads. So I guess I'm good then

Jul 26, 2009 | 05:10 AM

#15

LilBudyWizer

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,691

Likes: 3

Yeah, it's the head temps.

Jul 27, 2009 | 02:25 PM

#16

iann8ik

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 482

Likes: 2

From: Northern Virginia

I recall that the service manual says 230F is the oil's normal operating temp.

Jul 27, 2009 | 02:46 PM

#17

SSN711

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 235

Likes: 0

From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleydude68

Does anyone know what the operating temps should be around on the twin cams? What's normal? What would be considered too hot?

Thanks

Harley says "normal" operating range is up to 300. I don't have a gauge for oil temp. I don't have a temp gauge at all for my oil. Not worried about it.

"Normal" temp would depend on many factors.

I was in stop and go traffic for almost 2 hours in 98 deg weather with high humidity on my 2007 Ultra. I was more stopped than go. I would sit up to 5-10 minutes before moving even a few feet. Completely stock bike.

Was I worried? Yes. Did the bike have a problem, no. I was burning up and the heat from the engine was bad coming up at me (I take it back, I have RJ Originals heat shields...so bike is not stock?...)....Anyway, the bike never stumbled, the exhaust was not glowing bright red, the engine didn't melt. However, I have no clue what the oil temp was. It had to be on the high end, I am sure.

I am guessing the Harley Engineers know what they are talking about when it comes to what the TC can handle. My 2 cents.

This was 2 months ago. Since then, I added and took off a set of XIEDs.

I ride 100 miles to/from work daily (round trip). It gets hot and humid here and I run into stop and go traffic on the freeway more than I like, but, the only heat issue is with me burning up sitting in the traffic. Bike is fine.

Jul 27, 2009 | 03:00 PM

#18

truckerdave

senior experienced all-knowing leader of the unwise

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 1,957

Likes: 351

From: USA

230 is normal operating temp according to manual. My 103 with cooler runs 180-185 degrees measured in the pan with fairing mounted temp guage, guage is right i checked it. Any speed any temp up to 100. Up to 230 stuck in extreme stop and go summer traffic. SE 204 cams cooled the oil temp down 35 degrees or so.

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders