Hey guys just wanting some info... I have a basic OC and I'm wondering if its working.. my peak temp is close to 230 F and that's on 86 F days... does that seem Ok with a cooler with no fan? when moving it will slowly fall close to 175F...

 

if the cooler is hot to the touch, then the thermostatic valve is working.

oil is part of the cooling system, moving heat from the hottest parts of the motor to be dispersed eventually to the surrounding air.

as you can see our oil does get hot and all the more justification for a synthetic oil

we do want the oil to get above 100şC so that moisture is boiled out

mike

 

I got that... just looking to see what others get temp wise...

 

I have crossed Texas in June more times than I have fingers riding in 100 to 107 degree temps. Running 75-78 mph, the oil temp would stay in the 260-275 degree area all day. No problem.


Bwana

 

with fairing lowers on I will see 235şF measured at the oil pan ( which I suppose is a good way to get an "average" temp).

lowers off 25ş hotter

measured at 105ş ambient
1/2 mile at 30 mph, 9 miles at 65 MPH, 1/2 mile turn around, 9 miles at 65 MPH, 1 mile at 30 mph

I have the H-D oil cooler- no fans


Btw if you are worried about heat check into ward's fans

Mike

 

I have a '13 CVO Ultra with the 110 engine, factory oil cooler and the Ward's fans with the thermal switch and I leave them on all of the time.
I have a digital temperature dipstick and in warm weather (80-90 degrees) and my oil temp runs in the 230-240 area, and slightly lower when the ambient temperature drops.

The "experts" claim that the synthetic motor oils (such as SYN3) are good for temps up to 300 degrees but I will say that I used Red Line 20w-60w motor oil in my bike one season and I could hear (or at least I thought I could) a difference in my engine.

I normally use Red Line Shockproof in my transmission and I may use it in my engine once again this season. The only issue is that I have to drive about 25 miles (one way) to purchase it.

 

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" oil temp would stay in the 260-275 degree area all day. No problem. "

LOL!/your kidding right?

In case your not aware 260-275 deg f isnt optimal by far because air cooled hd's benefit a lot in many ways when significantly reducing oil temp in summer heat i know is the case from doing just that 1sy hand on my HD.

So from what you say i guess you like & or think the following things your hot running air cooled HD motor & hot oil provide in summer heat are a good thing which are a significant loss in pwr & trq , lower oil pressure by at least 10-12psi +(esp @ idle) ,noisier valves & lifters ,motor will likely detonate under load,more heat coming from motor making it more uncomfortable for the rider,hot starts like post fueling up can be slower & harder due to battery/starter/motor being heat soaked,and more.

But all thats a thing of the past for my HD in extreme summer heat because In 95-100 deg f cruising at 70-75mph oil temp runs approx 215-220 deg f & in a considerable amount of traffic in same 95-100deg oil temp maxes at approx 230 deg f sitting in a lot of stopped traffic along with going thru 4-5 stoplights in a row and one would ask how does my air cooled HD do that?

Well thats due to with the twin elec cooling fans on my ultracool oil cooler that are going full speed along with the Wards twin cooling fans (target cooling heads & upper cyls) also going full speed too keeping engine / oil temp in check /under control.

It so nice that the motor in my now retains the pwr/trq & crisp throttle response it used to loose in summer heat without the 2 cooling mods.

It's also nice that the motor now retains 10-12+psi higher oil pressure & idle & cruise along with quieter valves & less lower lvl of heat coming from the motor too with oil temp reduced 50deg f in summer heat post installing the 2 cooling mods.

It's too bad so many guys here in hdforums think just because their hd doesnt quit,seize up or blow up in summer heat with oil temp often running 240-250-260-275 deg f thinking the motors performing well in those cond (which isnt true) & or will last just as long vs when oil temp is reduced 45-50deg f in same summer cond like i did for my HD's motor that responded very well to the 50deg f reduction in oil temp.

That 50deg f reduction in oil temp in summer heat made my HD feel like a completely diff better running & performing bike right off the bat that none of you will ever know or experience unless you decide to actually install the same 2 cooling mods i did at the same time which was the best $$$$/time/effort i have spent on my HD thus far that resulted in multiple improvements in engine perf & overall riding comfort right off the bat post installing the 2 mods.

BTW,to maintain proper oil temp when riding in much cooler outside temp i can leave the Wards fans turned off and for riding in even cooler outside temp i can either turn off the fans on the oil cooler & or can also cover the oil cooler using the custom fit cover thats specifically designed & mfg'd to fit the cooler.

Happy motoring!

Scott

 

Sounds like our temps are identical. 230 degrees is the highest I've seen my HD gauge that is located in my fairing (replaced the ambient air gauge). Normal operating temp is 170 / 175.

 

Yes,
I have a 14 Road King which as you know comes stock with the Harley oil cooler. I use the Harley digital distick temp gauge to keep track of oil temps.
We live in a WAY, WAY, WAY hotter climate then you, three months straight of never under 90 degree day time high, like yesterday, 100 degrees is just a yawn.
HD shop manual states "Normal Oil operating temperature" - 230 degrees

Typically I see the oil temp between 220 to 240 after long runs and also long slow runs. I also do a lot of interstate 75 + MPH.
My thinking is you do not need a fan but I guess it doesnt hurt. It seems oils temps are almost the same as long slow idles and fast interstate.

Never thought about it before but unless really stuck and never moving maybe 30 minutes or more, Im not sure how much a fan will help.
I have noticed fast or really slow traffic oils temps with 10 degrees or so.
If you think about it, at dead slow speeds you are not producing much horsepower there for less heat being generated, at 75 MPH you are generating a lot of horsepower and burning of fuel = heat.

So, all I am saying is at dead slow speeds and barely moving the oil cooler is still releasing heat like a home radiator and doesnt seem to need airflow because only a small amount of horsepower is being produced.
On the interstate I have noticed the same and higher oil temps moving at 75 MPH then at 7 MPH.

With all the above said, Im sure a fan would not hurt in a jam to slightly help the engine running cooler, I just do not think as much as some think. One day for fun I may install one, I dont know.
I actually was thinking of replacing my 6 ROW HD with a fanless 10 Row Jagg rather then get a fan. But after watching the oil temps for months now. I am surprised and impressed how well the new Harleys with the oil coolers manage oil temps. I do thik one day I will get the 10 ROW, right now the price is holding me back and the longer I wait, the more I question the need. I have never seen higher then 251 degrees and from what I hear from others that is on the cool side for engines with no cooler.

I do think up north a fan is overkill but can be fun, more so if traffic.

 

[QUOTE=alarmdoug;15263771]Yes,

HD shop manual states "Normal Oil operating temperature" - 230 degrees

Typically I see the oil temp between 220 to 240 after long runs and also long slow runs. I also do a lot of interstate 75 + MPH.
My thinking is you do not need a fan but I guess it doesnt hurt. It seems oils temps are almost the same as long slow idles and fast interstate.


So, all I am saying is at dead slow speeds and barely moving the oil cooler is still releasing heat like a home radiator and doesnt seem to need airflow because only a small amount of horsepower is being produced.
On the interstate I have noticed the same and higher oil temps moving at 75 MPH then at 7 MPH.

QUOTE]

My experience and thoughts exactly.

Wscott's set up seems a bit extreme as I typically run those temps with just the stock setup. I have yet to get over 230F in temps has high as 95.
Just saying.