Oil temp
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 525
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Thanks everyone. The temp here is in the 70s and my oil temp is anywhere between 210 and 230 depending on the traffic. As per everyones response perfectly normal. I was hoping it would run a little cooler after the pcv and fuelmoto map. When it starts getting into the 90s and 100s I may have to invest in a oil cooler.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
Thanks everyone. The temp here is in the 70s and my oil temp is anywhere between 210 and 230 depending on the traffic. As per everyones response perfectly normal. I was hoping it would run a little cooler after the pcv and fuelmoto map. When it starts getting into the 90s and 100s I may have to invest in a oil cooler.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Two years ago I was attending the State Hog Rally. The Daytona Drill Team was performing. They were all riding Ultra's and EGC's. I noticed not one of them had oil cooler's on. The district Manager of about 30 years was standing next to me. I made a comment as to wonder what oil they were using. He introduced himself and said we'll ask them when they finish. One of the Drill team member's walked over and started talking with the District manager. We ask him what oil he used. He said Bruce Rossmeyer HD did all their service and they used Syn3 20/50. The manager told me The oil should run around 230. That's what I'd been told by several Tech's. That's why if it don't come with an oil cooler, it don't get one. Harley engineer's and builds these engines. They will warranty them up to 7 years unlimited miles. They don't say we will warranty the engine if you install an oil cooler! I've never had a engine problem due to overheat. I use a good Synthetic oil and change at prescribed intervals.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
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From: earth
Thanks everyone. The temp here is in the 70s and my oil temp is anywhere between 210 and 230 depending on the traffic. As per everyones response perfectly normal. I was hoping it would run a little cooler after the pcv and fuelmoto map. When it starts getting into the 90s and 100s I may have to invest in a oil cooler.
Weavr99FLHT, good info, whats the source, I'd like to read more, I recognize a qualified answer when I see one, and this guy is on point with oil info.
RIPSAW is on point too; Ambient temp has a simple linear effect, oil temp goes up and down equal to ambient, if its 20 degrees hotter outside your normalized oil temp will be 20 degrees hotter. wheeather or not its necessary to keep your oil/engine cool is debatable, but it is a universal truth in the automotive perfomance world that cooler is better, to a point, but you won't reach that point of diminished returns with an air cooled harley motor, no matter what you do to mitigate heat.
BTW the new ones do come with an oil cooler, so are the HD design engineers suddenly changing their position on the subject or are they just cowtowing to the desires of joe public for the sake of marketing?
"That's why if it don't come with an oil cooler, it don't get one." They don't come with an O2 signal modifier either, eh; I think Doc Holliday said it best with "my hypocrisy knows no bounds".
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Here
The new touring bikes also have 103's. Oil cooler's are stock on 103's because the engineer's feel they are reaching the threshold of needing one. They would probably be ok without a cooler. I get my info from expert's and what I've witnessed myself over the years, not from condescending legends in their own mind!!
Harley's have no thermostat, so pretty much anything goes as long as you are moving but remember 90 will get you a temperature, same drive and speed and load and 100 outside is going to get 10 more. See my bike 235 on 100 degree days easily, and during winter see it under same condition but winter day at 150. I really believe as long as you are moving nothing will really hurt it, but I would not push it above 60 or so if it's 115 outside. I see the big crusers talking 265. Harleys are just like lizards. See people talk differenet oils make a difference but to me that's a bunch of nonsence that's not measureable in real world driving....
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
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From: Everywhere
the bottom line - don't judge based on cylinder head temp and how it feels on your leg - cylinder head temp is not indicative of oil temp. if you are concerned, get an Oil Temp guage whether it be a dash mount, or Digital Dipstick or something else before making decisions.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 675
Likes: 3
From: Newport, Wa
Don't go over 60 mph at 115 degrees.... That's funny
or... maybe he meant in 3rd ....
had to have... how could you not go over 60
or... maybe he meant in 3rd ....
had to have... how could you not go over 60
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: earth
The new touring bikes also have 103's. Oil cooler's are stock on 103's because the engineer's feel they are reaching the threshold of needing one. They would probably be ok without a cooler. I get my info from expert's and what I've witnessed myself over the years, not from condescending legends in their own mind!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
Took oil temp readings the first 1k miles and did the same after changing to synthetic oils at first service. Average oil temp went down 10*.