Question on oil temp
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
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From:
Question on oil temp
I have installed an oil cooler and oil temp gauge to replace the
the air temp.
While on a 3000 mile trip this past few weeks the gauge would read
about 200 or a bit lower going down the road at speed.
When I left the highway it would jump to 230 and the bike would
start to back fire a bit on decel.
Also it there a way to see if you oil cooler is in fact working
meaning circulating oil through it.
Thanks
Shortleg[Dave]
the air temp.
While on a 3000 mile trip this past few weeks the gauge would read
about 200 or a bit lower going down the road at speed.
When I left the highway it would jump to 230 and the bike would
start to back fire a bit on decel.
Also it there a way to see if you oil cooler is in fact working
meaning circulating oil through it.
Thanks
Shortleg[Dave]
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,535
Likes: 15
From: Salem, Va.
You bike is running fine as far as the oil temp goes. That's something a lot of folks spend a lot of time worring about when they cant do anything about it. HD has been building air cooled engines a long time.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
to check to see if the oil is circulating just feel each of the hoses going to it when the engine is running and hot...they should both be hot....if you have a thermostat, if you start with a cool engine the hoses should start cool and somewhat quickly get hot as the engine oil gets hot and the thermostat opens...
If you have an air cooled engine just moving through the air increases air flow and cools your engine (and oil) even without an oil cooler. If you have an oil cooler the engine oil would cool to a lower temperature while moving through the same air (than without it). That is logical (you already know that though).
Best test would be to make the same run with a warm engine with and without the oil cooler and compare temperatures.
Not sure about the backfire... I am thinking it is a coincidence and unassociated with oil temperature.
Best test would be to make the same run with a warm engine with and without the oil cooler and compare temperatures.
Not sure about the backfire... I am thinking it is a coincidence and unassociated with oil temperature.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 241
From: Highlands, NJ
Only 230! Mine hits 260 in city traffic, but never pinged or backfired.
I do get an occasional pop between 1st and 2nd when I get on it hard.
Your bike is running fine.
Is it a backfire, or decel popping/gurgling.
They are 2 different things.
I do get an occasional pop between 1st and 2nd when I get on it hard.
Your bike is running fine.
Is it a backfire, or decel popping/gurgling.
They are 2 different things.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I have installed an oil cooler and oil temp gauge to replace the the air temp. While on a 3000 mile trip this past few weeks the gauge would read about 200 or a bit lower going down the road at speed. When I left the highway it would jump to 230 and the bike would start to back fire a bit on decel.
Also it there a way to see if you oil cooler is in fact working meaning circulating oil through it.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: MI
Get one of those HF laser temp guages. I think they're about $30 and then you can check head temps as well.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 450
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Normally I cannot get my temp to go over 200 with a cooler and in fairing gauge, temp probe in pan. Should also note I have a 99 ultra with 88". One time I was stuck in traffic in SW Missouri in early August and saw 260. Bike ran fine. My oil cooler gets hot to th touch so I know it is working. When it gets colder out, under 60 degrees, the cooler barely heats up.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: WV
I wouldn't say you can't do anything about it; my low temp oil thermostat has a favorable impact on oil temp and my cooling fans do a pretty good job on engine temp.