Oil Temp Gauge Question
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
RE: Oil Temp Gauge Question
Back when I first got my oil cooler I bought one of the digital dipstick gauges. It's worked fine, & read in the 220 to 230 range where I'm comfortable with my oil temps. When I installed the gauge in the dash I left the dipstick right where it was. Figured it'd be a good comparison.
First couple of rides were short & in cool weather. Damn dash mounted gauge never got above 180, while the digital still read 220. Remembered a lot of people here talkin' about how their oil was just fine at 160 to 180, a little too cool for my taste. For a few days I thought Harley had just provided another marginal quality piece of equipment. Then I got in a longer ride on a slightly warmer day, & the dash gauge got up between 200 & 210. Digital was only slightly higher.
A little reasoning brings me to these conclusions....... The sender for the dash gauge is at the very edge of the oil pool, mounted in what amounts to a heat sink. The dipstick is plunged into the center of the oil pool. The pool cools from the outer edge towards the center, so it's always going to be warmer at the center & cooler at the edge, & it will just take longer to heat the dash sender to the higher temps. Either one of them will probably have a margin of error, so as long as neither says 90 or 900 they're just a guide & information I never had before.
First couple of rides were short & in cool weather. Damn dash mounted gauge never got above 180, while the digital still read 220. Remembered a lot of people here talkin' about how their oil was just fine at 160 to 180, a little too cool for my taste. For a few days I thought Harley had just provided another marginal quality piece of equipment. Then I got in a longer ride on a slightly warmer day, & the dash gauge got up between 200 & 210. Digital was only slightly higher.
A little reasoning brings me to these conclusions....... The sender for the dash gauge is at the very edge of the oil pool, mounted in what amounts to a heat sink. The dipstick is plunged into the center of the oil pool. The pool cools from the outer edge towards the center, so it's always going to be warmer at the center & cooler at the edge, & it will just take longer to heat the dash sender to the higher temps. Either one of them will probably have a margin of error, so as long as neither says 90 or 900 they're just a guide & information I never had before.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
RE: Oil Temp Gauge Question
Soos Said: >>>> "The oil temp gauge is just a visual indicator of your scoots operation. You will know when your scoot is overheating when you start to go into heat management mode. "
Soos, what you mean "heat management mode"? Is that the parade download your talking about, or something else?
Steve
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: Oil Temp Gauge Question
This is how I've installed the oil temp sender.
In the pan is woking good for me I get a full range of oil temp with this installation.
[IMG]local://upfiles/4133/3BC028ACF4C94BBDAE499DA4C5AAADE8.jpg[/IMG]
My sender looks different then the unit above because I'm using an after market system, not any of the H-D conversion kit. And mine has the sender that is matched to the thread size of the hole in the pan. This way I do not have to run an adpter bung and keep the sender even farther out of the oil I'm wanting measure the temps in.
In the pan is woking good for me I get a full range of oil temp with this installation.
[IMG]local://upfiles/4133/3BC028ACF4C94BBDAE499DA4C5AAADE8.jpg[/IMG]
My sender looks different then the unit above because I'm using an after market system, not any of the H-D conversion kit. And mine has the sender that is matched to the thread size of the hole in the pan. This way I do not have to run an adpter bung and keep the sender even farther out of the oil I'm wanting measure the temps in.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
RE: Oil Temp Gauge Question
ORIGINAL: oldhippie
Soos Said: >>>> "The oil temp gauge is just a visual indicator of your scoots operation. You will know when your scoot is overheating when you start to go into heat management mode. "
Soos, what you mean "heat management mode"? Is that the parade download your talking about, or something else?
Steve
Soos Said: >>>> "The oil temp gauge is just a visual indicator of your scoots operation. You will know when your scoot is overheating when you start to go into heat management mode. "
Soos, what you mean "heat management mode"? Is that the parade download your talking about, or something else?
Steve
This isn't a download that I am aware of. As far as I know this is stock.
I have gone into this mode twice and it sure is funky[:-]
EFI ENGINE HEAT MANAGEMENT
Injected Twin Cam High Temp Idle
FITC engines use a 4 phase heat management system to reduce engine temps under extreme conditions. A rider with a very hot engine may notice the affects of this 4 phase system and incorrectly assume an idle problem exists.
PHASE 1: When the engine temp sensor signals that the cylinder head has reached approx 266*F the ECM will gradually reduce engine idle speed until the engine temp drops or the engine reaches 900 RPM
PHASE 2: If engine temp reaches 293*F the ECM will gradually reduce engine idle speed until the engine temp drops or the engine reaches 800RPM.
PHASE 3: If the engine temp reaches 322*F the ECM richens the air/fuel ratio to provide additional cooling and advances the spark timing 10*.
Phase 4: If the engine temp reaches 331*F, fuel injector pulses (2 of 8) are randomly interrupted. The air drawn in and expelled helps cool the engine further. Since there is no combustion it would be perceived as a misfire. This 4th stage will only happen when the MC is stationary.
If necessary, engine idle speed will be increased during all Phases to maintain proper battery voltage.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Oil Temp Gauge Question
mine does the same thing but i have NO cooler and mine IS installed in the oil pan via 3/8 adapter... i rode for 3 hrs the other day and barely touched 180 at a redlight but dropped back down to might near 110 after i got moving. but it has not been over 85* outwhen i riding????
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
RE: Oil Temp Gauge Question
ORIGINAL: soos
Geez [:@], Why you gotta quote me?
This isn't a download that I am aware of. As far as I know this is stock.
I have gone into this mode twice and it sure is funky[:-]
EFI ENGINE HEAT MANAGEMENT
Injected Twin Cam High Temp Idle
FITC engines use a 4 phase heat management system to reduce engine temps under extreme conditions. A rider with a very hot engine may notice the affects of this 4 phase system and incorrectly assume an idle problem exists.
PHASE 1: When the engine temp sensor signals that the cylinder head has reached approx 266*F the ECM will gradually reduce engine idle speed until the engine temp drops or the engine reaches 900 RPM
PHASE 2: If engine temp reaches 293*F the ECM will gradually reduce engine idle speed until the engine temp drops or the engine reaches 800RPM.
PHASE 3: If the engine temp reaches 322*F the ECM richens the air/fuel ratio to provide additional cooling and advances the spark timing 10*.
Phase 4: If the engine temp reaches 331*F, fuel injector pulses (2 of 8) are randomly interrupted. The air drawn in and expelled helps cool the engine further. Since there is no combustion it would be perceived as a misfire. This 4th stage will only happen when the MC is stationary.
If necessary, engine idle speed will be increased during all Phases to maintain proper battery voltage.
ORIGINAL: oldhippie
Soos Said: >>>> "The oil temp gauge is just a visual indicator of your scoots operation. You will know when your scoot is overheating when you start to go into heat management mode. "
Soos, what you mean "heat management mode"? Is that the parade download your talking about, or something else?
Steve
Soos Said: >>>> "The oil temp gauge is just a visual indicator of your scoots operation. You will know when your scoot is overheating when you start to go into heat management mode. "
Soos, what you mean "heat management mode"? Is that the parade download your talking about, or something else?
Steve
This isn't a download that I am aware of. As far as I know this is stock.
I have gone into this mode twice and it sure is funky[:-]
EFI ENGINE HEAT MANAGEMENT
Injected Twin Cam High Temp Idle
FITC engines use a 4 phase heat management system to reduce engine temps under extreme conditions. A rider with a very hot engine may notice the affects of this 4 phase system and incorrectly assume an idle problem exists.
PHASE 1: When the engine temp sensor signals that the cylinder head has reached approx 266*F the ECM will gradually reduce engine idle speed until the engine temp drops or the engine reaches 900 RPM
PHASE 2: If engine temp reaches 293*F the ECM will gradually reduce engine idle speed until the engine temp drops or the engine reaches 800RPM.
PHASE 3: If the engine temp reaches 322*F the ECM richens the air/fuel ratio to provide additional cooling and advances the spark timing 10*.
Phase 4: If the engine temp reaches 331*F, fuel injector pulses (2 of 8) are randomly interrupted. The air drawn in and expelled helps cool the engine further. Since there is no combustion it would be perceived as a misfire. This 4th stage will only happen when the MC is stationary.
If necessary, engine idle speed will be increased during all Phases to maintain proper battery voltage.
I'll reply via PM too.
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
