Oil Temp Question
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
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From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
Oil Temp Question
Before I get the microscope, molecular breakdown, get a cooler,use this brand of oil instead..... bullshiiitt responses.
I'm just looking for info...or if anyone else noticed this
I use Mobil V twin in all 3 holes...
I decided to try Mobil 15-50 for 5,000 miles.....( just crackcase)
I was on a 4200 mile trip in September and the first day it reaches 85-90 degrees, no big deal...
V twin usually run at 220.......15-50 ran at 240+
I got stopped at a few lights and noticed the temp 240 and climbing.
It stopped around 250-260 when i starting moving again.. After that I monitored it closely thinking a problem?,,,
Nope It just heated up quicker but also cooled down a bit slower
Bottem line is the Mobil 15 50 ran 20 degrees or more hotter than Mobil Vtwin.
It was a 16 day trip and I will be going back to V twin
I'm just looking for info...or if anyone else noticed this
I use Mobil V twin in all 3 holes...
I decided to try Mobil 15-50 for 5,000 miles.....( just crackcase)
I was on a 4200 mile trip in September and the first day it reaches 85-90 degrees, no big deal...
V twin usually run at 220.......15-50 ran at 240+
I got stopped at a few lights and noticed the temp 240 and climbing.
It stopped around 250-260 when i starting moving again.. After that I monitored it closely thinking a problem?,,,
Nope It just heated up quicker but also cooled down a bit slower
Bottem line is the Mobil 15 50 ran 20 degrees or more hotter than Mobil Vtwin.
It was a 16 day trip and I will be going back to V twin
That's funny since their spec charts are almost identical except for the moly. They are so similar in fact that the crew at bob is the oil guy feel they are the same oil with moly added to the 15w-50.
All of Mobils products have been cheapened though. I wouldn't buy anything with their logo again.
And the reason the oil temp increased is because the oil absorbed more heat and dissipated is,whereas the thicker oil just let the metal stay hotter.
Thinner oil absorbs heat faster,removing it from the engines metal. Low oil temps don't always mean good things. Thicker oil takes longer to heat up so the engine holds the heat longer.
All of Mobils products have been cheapened though. I wouldn't buy anything with their logo again.
And the reason the oil temp increased is because the oil absorbed more heat and dissipated is,whereas the thicker oil just let the metal stay hotter.
Thinner oil absorbs heat faster,removing it from the engines metal. Low oil temps don't always mean good things. Thicker oil takes longer to heat up so the engine holds the heat longer.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
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From: Umatilla, Fl
As a matter of record I have run Mobil V Twin in all 3 holes without issue.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 646
Likes: 1
From: Rockford, IL
Your oil is at 230-235? wow...my cylinder head temp is at right around that temperature and I use mobil 15-50
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 131
From: Central Texas area
and it is a 50wt like the vtwin
A 15w-50 oil is 15weight oil or 20w-50 is 20 weight oil that has additives so they have the characterists of a 50w oil at operating temperature???
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
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From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
I'm also curious and want to learn how heat transfer is performed in a 'better engine oil' and I found the following report:
Heat transfer characteristics of some oils used for engine cooling
Hosny Z. Abou-Ziyan
The abstract seems clear, even without a scientific approach:
<< Comparing the results of the tested oils revealed that the oil that has the largest concentrations of boron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc with low concentration of calcium yields the best heat transport characteristics among the other tested oils. These additives provide superior detergent and dispersant characteristics, reflected in the large alkalinity and low corrosivity of the oil. On the other side, calcium has a negative interaction with other additives and yields an adverse effect on heat transfer characteristics even when it exists in oil with large concentrations of boron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.>>
It seems blending motor oil is like preparing a salad dressing: a few more drops of vinegar (calcium) can alter the sauce (oil) but in the end nothing matters more than saving the catalytic converter...
Heat transfer characteristics of some oils used for engine cooling
Hosny Z. Abou-Ziyan
The abstract seems clear, even without a scientific approach:
<< Comparing the results of the tested oils revealed that the oil that has the largest concentrations of boron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc with low concentration of calcium yields the best heat transport characteristics among the other tested oils. These additives provide superior detergent and dispersant characteristics, reflected in the large alkalinity and low corrosivity of the oil. On the other side, calcium has a negative interaction with other additives and yields an adverse effect on heat transfer characteristics even when it exists in oil with large concentrations of boron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.>>
It seems blending motor oil is like preparing a salad dressing: a few more drops of vinegar (calcium) can alter the sauce (oil) but in the end nothing matters more than saving the catalytic converter...
Last edited by Expat1; Oct 8, 2012 at 09:53 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
I would attribute any difference to conditions, not the oil itself, as the two oils are very similar in specs. The 15w50 has more moly, which is a plus, but slightly less zinc and phosphorus--so it's probably a wash. OT can change with air temp (obviously), speed, humidity, as well as the wind direction. I think altitude might also be a factor, as thinner air density means less ability to transfer heat. (Any ME's care to comment on that?) It would be difficult to conduct a test comparing OT between two oils except in laboratory conditions. I've seen it change 20° at highway speeds by simply changing direction with even a moderate wind.
Last edited by iclick; Oct 8, 2012 at 01:02 PM.