oil cooler question
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Maryland
oil cooler question
Thinking about the different mods I can do over the winter and was wondering about an oil cooler. What temps are your bikes running in summer on average? I found one site that stated that a good operating temp for harley's oil should be between 220-240 degrees. I'm just wondering if the cooler is necessary or not.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
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From:
RE: oil cooler question
Most harleys run anywhere between 200- 240 or so as a normal temp depending on mods, size of the engine and outside temps.
If you run synthetic oil, it can handle up in the area of 300* where dino oil starts to break down at 250*
If you run synthetic oil, it can handle up in the area of 300* where dino oil starts to break down at 250*
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From:
RE: oil cooler question
ORIGINAL: glide
Most harleys run anywhere between 200- 240 or so as a normal temp depending on mods, size of the engine and outside temps.
If you run synthetic oil, it can handle up in the area of 300* where dino oil starts to break down at 250*
Most harleys run anywhere between 200- 240 or so as a normal temp depending on mods, size of the engine and outside temps.
If you run synthetic oil, it can handle up in the area of 300* where dino oil starts to break down at 250*
Good quality conventionally refined oils are good to at least 300 degrees and will work fine in a Harley engine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: oil cooler question
ORIGINAL: dougmac
All oils that have the most current API ratting are tested at 300 degrees under a heavy load for 100 hours. There are scores of conventionally refined oils that meet this standard.
Good quality conventionally refined oils are good to at least 300 degrees and will work fine in a Harley engine.
ORIGINAL: glide
Most harleys run anywhere between 200- 240 or so as a normal temp depending on mods, size of the engine and outside temps.
If you run synthetic oil, it can handle up in the area of 300* where dino oil starts to break down at 250*
Most harleys run anywhere between 200- 240 or so as a normal temp depending on mods, size of the engine and outside temps.
If you run synthetic oil, it can handle up in the area of 300* where dino oil starts to break down at 250*
Good quality conventionally refined oils are good to at least 300 degrees and will work fine in a Harley engine.
API…oil classification
Originally, oil was a simple product so a classification system was not required. As engines became more sophisticated and engineers constantly improved the qualities of oil a two-letter system evolved with the API, (American Petroleum Institute, which designates the service conditions under which the engine operates. There are two basic categories: S oils for spark ignition gasoline engines like Harley and C oils for compression ignition diesel engines like the 18 wheelers that blow you around on the highways.
An oil meeting API standards has a round white donut shaped logo split in two halves on the container. The upper half says API Service followed by two letters. S followed by another for a gas engine like Harley.
SA means it is straight petroleum, which is not suitable for our purposes. SB oils were used from 1933 to around 1964. SC introduced in 1964 was used to 1967 while SD was from ’68 to ’71, SE from ’72 to ’79, SF from ’80 to ’88, SG from ’89 to ’93, SH in 1994 and ’95 and finally SJ from 1996 to present. If a dual set of letters appear such as SG/CD, the oil may be used for both gasoline and diesel engines.
Now which oils are ok for your Hog?
SH or SG are the best followed by SF or SE in a pinch. The lower grades of SD and down are better than nothing but not desirable for a four-stroke motorcycle engine.
You'll notice that I didn't mention Amsoil even once here
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
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From:
RE: oil cooler question
Every oil that has the current API certification meets the GF-4 requirement. There are many conventionally refined oils that meet the GF-4 requirement .... so don’t tell me conventionally refined oil is not good to 300 degrees.
Nice chart, which Amsoil page did you get that piece of garbage from?
The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) also has standards for motor oil. Their latest standard, GF-4[2] was approved in 2004. A key test is the Sequence IIIG [3] , which involves running a 3.8L, GM 3.8L V-6 at 125 horsepower, 3600 rpm, and 150°C (300°F) oil temperature for 100 hours. These are much more severe conditions than any passenger car would see. The IIIG test is about 50% more difficult [4] than the previous IIIF test, used in GF-3 and API SL oils.
Regaurds,
Doug
Nice chart, which Amsoil page did you get that piece of garbage from?
The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) also has standards for motor oil. Their latest standard, GF-4[2] was approved in 2004. A key test is the Sequence IIIG [3] , which involves running a 3.8L, GM 3.8L V-6 at 125 horsepower, 3600 rpm, and 150°C (300°F) oil temperature for 100 hours. These are much more severe conditions than any passenger car would see. The IIIG test is about 50% more difficult [4] than the previous IIIF test, used in GF-3 and API SL oils.
Regaurds,
Doug
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RE: oil cooler question
ORIGINAL: blackbob
Thinking about the different mods I can do over the winter and was wondering about an oil cooler. What temps are your bikes running in summer on average? I found one site that stated that a good operating temp for harley's oil should be between 220-240 degrees. I'm just wondering if the cooler is necessary or not.
Thinking about the different mods I can do over the winter and was wondering about an oil cooler. What temps are your bikes running in summer on average? I found one site that stated that a good operating temp for harley's oil should be between 220-240 degrees. I'm just wondering if the cooler is necessary or not.
The oil that lubes the engine in severe temperatures not only lubes but helps cool parts.
I installed an Billet Oil cooler and a temp controlled jagg adapter. The oil starts to go through the cooler at 175º and the flow is full at 185º. So the oil reaches its operating temp before the cooler has any affect.
Most oil coolers have a 20 to 30 degree drop in oil temp. On 100º days the engine will be happier with the extra cooling.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,116
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From: Northern VA, Madison GA
RE: oil cooler question
Now that we have cleared up you don't have to use synthetic oil, yes the oil cooler is a good idea. It can lower your operating temperature, and even if the chart posted is not 100% correct, the idea is correct, the hotter your oil the less effective it is.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,116
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From: Northern VA, Madison GA
RE: oil cooler question
The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) also has standards for motor oil. Their latest standard, GF-4[2] was approved in 2004. A key test is the Sequence IIIG [3] , which involves running a 3.8L, GM 3.8L V-6 at 125 horsepower, 3600 rpm, and 150°C (300°F) oil temperature for 100 hours. These are much more severe conditions than any passenger car would see. The IIIG test is about 50% more difficult [4] than the previous IIIF test, used in GF-3 and API SL oils.
I would like to see an oil analysis of DYNO oil vs Synthetic (group 5) after the IIIG testing though. I'd also like to see the same test run for up to 500 engine hours and then compare the results. 100 engine hours is not the normal oil change interval of 5K or 7.5K that is on some engines.
One last thing, The test is good don't get me wrong, it's more difficult than the previous, however, it's not real world, cool the oil, then run it up to 300F, cool the oil run it up, you see my point, treat the oil like it's going to be treated in the real world then you will see the advantage to a good group 4/5 synthetic.