Normal oil temps?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Tyler, Tx
Normal oil temps?
I know it is an age old question, but i have to ask. I have a 2008 flhtcui with the 103 upgrade, thundermax ecm, true dual vance & hines monster ovals, hd heavy breather, running lower fairings.
I have never known what my oil temp ran until i install dakota digital gauges that included a true oil temp gauge (sensor in oil pan). This bike has been everywhere, but i was surprized to see the gauge hit 260. I was on interstate doin' about 75-80, air temp was about 84.
My question is what is normal???? Is 260 average? Would an oil cooler make a great difference?
I would appreciate any input
I have never known what my oil temp ran until i install dakota digital gauges that included a true oil temp gauge (sensor in oil pan). This bike has been everywhere, but i was surprized to see the gauge hit 260. I was on interstate doin' about 75-80, air temp was about 84.
My question is what is normal???? Is 260 average? Would an oil cooler make a great difference?
I would appreciate any input
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
This past summer I took a 10,000 mile trip on my 2011 Limited. It's a 103 with the factory oil cooler. I don't have an oil temp gauge but I did measure the oil pan temperature at each gas stop with an infrared thermometer for the first 2,500 miles or so.
The measured temps ranged from 227 deg. to 266 deg.
The 266 deg. measurement was at an ambient temp of about 105-110 deg. Thee 227 deg. measurement was at about 80 deg. ambient.
The measured temps ranged from 227 deg. to 266 deg.
The 266 deg. measurement was at an ambient temp of about 105-110 deg. Thee 227 deg. measurement was at about 80 deg. ambient.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Tyler, Tx
Thanks for the input.............i feel a bit more comfortable with the temps i was running. I will be putting a oil cooler on just to make syn oil last a while longer.
Like i said, sometimes it best not knowing
Like i said, sometimes it best not knowing
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
There's thousands/millions?? of air-cooled bikes (HD and metric) on the road with no oil-temp gauges installed - all doing what the engines are designed to do; all running as hot as they were designed to. Have been for generations. Nobody seems to get worried about it till they install an OT gauge, then they get paranoid about every rise and fall of the needle. Better not to know. Just MHO.
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
I have a 2009 Ultra, 103 with se255 cams, se air cleaner, tts mastertune and old se mufflers.
Running a HD oil cooler and oil temp gauge with sensor in the oil pan. Lowers with the doors removed.
My oil temp rarely rises above 180 degrees on the oil gauge on days where the temp is below 90. I have found that my oil temp runs about 100 degrees above ambient as long as I am moving.
On the Interstate, at 70, air temp 100, I'll hit 230.
I avoid idling in traffic, will ride the shoulder and exit and go 50 miles out of my way to avoid that crap.
I think it's my tune that helps, and good break in - I have 38,000 miles now.
I've run every kind of syn oil, now running 15w50 m1 for the easier cranking.
Running a HD oil cooler and oil temp gauge with sensor in the oil pan. Lowers with the doors removed.
My oil temp rarely rises above 180 degrees on the oil gauge on days where the temp is below 90. I have found that my oil temp runs about 100 degrees above ambient as long as I am moving.
On the Interstate, at 70, air temp 100, I'll hit 230.
I avoid idling in traffic, will ride the shoulder and exit and go 50 miles out of my way to avoid that crap.
I think it's my tune that helps, and good break in - I have 38,000 miles now.
I've run every kind of syn oil, now running 15w50 m1 for the easier cranking.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
While I like my Oil Temp Gauge far better than the useless Air Temp Gauge .. Seen Temps from 180 -270 and never got too excited hardly ever goes above 250 unless very high ambient temps and slow moving traffic.. Most of the time at reasonable speed and Temp runs 220-240 ..