Operating Temperature 2008 Street Glide
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Va.
Operating Temperature 2008 Street Glide
Just took my new 2008 Street Glide on it's first road trip. I am running an Oil Temperature Gauge that replaces the Air Temperature Gauge. My oil temperature at times got as high as 252 degrees. I thought this was way too high as my understanding on proper oil temperature, should be not less than 180 deg. and not more than 230 degress. I called my Harley Dealer and he assured me that 250 degrees operating temperature was okay for my bike and even hotter would be okay. I am running a 103 c.i. motor with stock heads and H-D 211/508 lift cams, SE Air Filter, Super Trapp 2:1 Exhaust and a H-D Oil Cooler. I was riding a 2004 SE Electra Glide with 103 motor before purchasing the 2008. The Harley Dealer told me that 2007 up TC Models ran at a higher safe operating temperature than the earlier models which I was use to riding.
So, would you guys please give me some input on this.
So, would you guys please give me some input on this.
Last edited by harley1005; Oct 5, 2008 at 08:18 PM. Reason: Forgot to state I am running a H-D Super Tuner/SERT
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 6
From: SC
These are air cooled motors. Depending on your weight, the temps of the day , your elevation, how hard your riding it and even how good the gas is will affect the temps on your motor. I personally run nothing but Amsoil and did 4500 miles back from California to my home state of South Carolina. I have a 2008 Roadglide trike along with my big butt on it put a grueling 8000 miles in 3 weeks in late June through July on it
I did the oil analysis on everything when I got back and found the viscosity hadnt dropped at all after that 4500 miles back home on the engine.
Run a synthetic that your happy with and even with the higher temps you will be good to go
I did the oil analysis on everything when I got back and found the viscosity hadnt dropped at all after that 4500 miles back home on the engine.
Run a synthetic that your happy with and even with the higher temps you will be good to go
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 265
Likes: 10
From: Northern Wisconsin
I agree with the 180 to 220F range. 250 is really pushing it, IMO.
Did you by chance check the calibration on the gauge before installing it?
(boiling water @ 212F +/- for elevation changes)
Also, where is the sensor in the oil system? The 180F Normal spec is based on the oil going into the engine, not the oil coming out of it. Your oil tank is an effective oil cooler,
so there will be a good temperature drop there. If you want to knock a few more degrees off it without too much expense, plumb the return oil through the engine guard.
Hogdoctor
Did you by chance check the calibration on the gauge before installing it?
(boiling water @ 212F +/- for elevation changes)
Also, where is the sensor in the oil system? The 180F Normal spec is based on the oil going into the engine, not the oil coming out of it. Your oil tank is an effective oil cooler,
so there will be a good temperature drop there. If you want to knock a few more degrees off it without too much expense, plumb the return oil through the engine guard.
Hogdoctor
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
I am running the stock 96 with a Stage 1 PCIII and slipons. I run a tad under 225 when fully up to temp and in the mid 80sF for riding temps. Now that it's cold here in New England it doesn't get above 200F all day long.
You are probably running some type of fuel management and it sounds like it might be a candidate to tweak a tad richer in the lower rpm/throttle range. (where we all spend a lot of time crusing and touring)
250 might not hurt the engine, but it would be something I'd want to look into and attempt to cool it down to that 230F range.
You running some type of SERT or PCIII, right?
You are probably running some type of fuel management and it sounds like it might be a candidate to tweak a tad richer in the lower rpm/throttle range. (where we all spend a lot of time crusing and touring)
250 might not hurt the engine, but it would be something I'd want to look into and attempt to cool it down to that 230F range.
You running some type of SERT or PCIII, right?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 11
From: Longview, Washington
Those temps will be OK until you get caught in traffic. That's why HD came up with the rear cylinder shut-down. Happened to me last year and my oil temp pegged past 300.
I now run a cooler. My normal oil temp is 190 and tops out at 230 in traffic. As soon as I get moving it quickly returns to 190. Without a cooler it will take a very long time to cool back down.
This is why I continue to say . . .
All 96" Twin Cams should have an oil cooler.
Especially you since you are running a 103.
I know I'll get flamed for saying it . . . FLAME AWAY guys.
Steve
I now run a cooler. My normal oil temp is 190 and tops out at 230 in traffic. As soon as I get moving it quickly returns to 190. Without a cooler it will take a very long time to cool back down.
This is why I continue to say . . .
All 96" Twin Cams should have an oil cooler.
Especially you since you are running a 103.
I know I'll get flamed for saying it . . . FLAME AWAY guys.
Steve
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 51
From: Illinois
Just took my new 2008 Street Glide on it's first road trip. I am running an Oil Temperature Gauge that replaces the Air Temperature Gauge. My oil temperature at times got as high as 252 degrees. I called my Harley Dealer and he assured me that 250 degrees operating temperature was okay The Harley Dealer told me that 2007 up TC Models ran at a higher safe operating temperature than the earlier models which I was use to riding.
So, would you guys please give me some input on this.
So, would you guys please give me some input on this.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I've reached 265 in mid summer. I have a stock stage one setup using syn3, no cooler. I don't know how accurate these replacement gauges are, but I'm not concerned. There's nothing that I've done to my engine that makes it run any hotter than any other. The gauge is good only to get a relative reading, don't dwell on actual temperature value. I now have base-lined 265 as my nominal high-end temperature. It's not the actual temperature that I'm concerned about, it would be if for some reason my reading went above it.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
From: Hoboken, New Jersey
I have the same bike and the same HD 2" oil temp gauge kit that replaced the ambiant temp gauge (no cooler and the stock 96" mill). I kept a eye on my oil temps all Summer and even in NYC traffic on days that were more than 95*F the oil temp never got above 235*F or so. That is not too hot at all for synthetic oil.....even the 252*F your getting will not bother a good synthetic at all. The real problem is cylinder head/combustion chamber temps....thats where the damage will be done.
I checked the HD oil temp gauge against two other shop gauges, and it was spot on. So I dont think the problem is with your gauge....well at least mine is on. What I do want to know is where exactly is your sending unit mounted? Like most here I did the install of the gauge kit myself...and also like most here I used the "hex plug" in the oil pan as the location for my sending unit. I think you get a better idea of the general oil temp that way, than with the MoCo's designated installation. Another thing is the oil cooler you have mounted.....IIRC there was some sort of "note" in the instructions that came with the kit that said sopmething about sending unit location and accuracy of the gauge if you have a cooler mounted....I forgot what it said though.....I am not using a oil cooler, but I may start in the Spring.
If you have any doubt as to the accuracy of YOUR gauge, just go out and buy yourself a shop thermometer. You could get one at a plumbing & heating supply.....or even anyplace that sells quality tools. Ride the bike long enough to get the temp up to about the 230*F or midway up the gauge face.....then remove the oil fill cap and insert the shop thermometer into the oil in the sump, and hold it there for a few seconds....now you can compare the two.
I checked the HD oil temp gauge against two other shop gauges, and it was spot on. So I dont think the problem is with your gauge....well at least mine is on. What I do want to know is where exactly is your sending unit mounted? Like most here I did the install of the gauge kit myself...and also like most here I used the "hex plug" in the oil pan as the location for my sending unit. I think you get a better idea of the general oil temp that way, than with the MoCo's designated installation. Another thing is the oil cooler you have mounted.....IIRC there was some sort of "note" in the instructions that came with the kit that said sopmething about sending unit location and accuracy of the gauge if you have a cooler mounted....I forgot what it said though.....I am not using a oil cooler, but I may start in the Spring.
If you have any doubt as to the accuracy of YOUR gauge, just go out and buy yourself a shop thermometer. You could get one at a plumbing & heating supply.....or even anyplace that sells quality tools. Ride the bike long enough to get the temp up to about the 230*F or midway up the gauge face.....then remove the oil fill cap and insert the shop thermometer into the oil in the sump, and hold it there for a few seconds....now you can compare the two.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Va.
Gauge Type and Sensor Location
I am running the Dakota Digital Gauge and the sensor is mounted in the oil pan. I have another bike, an '04 Screamin' Eagle Electra Glide with an oil temperature gauge dip stick. I will check the '08's temperature with that and compare. I do also run Syn3.
I'm leaving for Daytona Biketoberfest on Friday and will let you all know how the bike does temperature wise on this road trip. Thanks for all the replies and info.
Harley1005
I'm leaving for Daytona Biketoberfest on Friday and will let you all know how the bike does temperature wise on this road trip. Thanks for all the replies and info.
Harley1005
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
250* seems "high" since my '04 EG seldom gets to 230* even in Metro Atlanta summer riding. I have the HD oil temp gauge with the sending unit mounted in the oil pan.
My bet is your tune is very lean. The high heat in the '07 and newer bikes compared to earlier models is the leaness of the AFR in non-cruise conditions. Have the bike tuned for slightly richer AFR and the temps will come down a lot.
Also, buy an infrared thermometer (they're under $20 at Sears IIRC) and measure the cylinder head temp at the base of the sparkplugs as an additional check on temps.
My bet is your tune is very lean. The high heat in the '07 and newer bikes compared to earlier models is the leaness of the AFR in non-cruise conditions. Have the bike tuned for slightly richer AFR and the temps will come down a lot.
Also, buy an infrared thermometer (they're under $20 at Sears IIRC) and measure the cylinder head temp at the base of the sparkplugs as an additional check on temps.