Engine Oil Temperature

[teamilluminata]

Oil temperature, what should it be? Mine runs at around 230 on the highway. I'm a little worried that it will get too hot once I start flogging it. Coolant temperature is fine and the big radiator seems to have no problem controlling it. Fan hardly comes on at idle. Oil is Castrol Synted 5W40 right now.

BTW this is a swap into a Legacy with a 5 speed.

[svxfiles]

Have you rebuilt your engine?
5-40 might be too thick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
According to Longassname our 3.3s have really tight clearances and need thinner oil.
As an old school guy I have always used thicker oils, but have deferred to Mikes expertice.

[teamilluminata]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

Have you rebuilt your engine?
5-40 might be too thick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
According to Longassname our 3.3s have really tight clearances and need thinner oil.
As an old school guy I have always used thicker oils, but have deferred to Mikes expertice.

No rebuild. Like what, 5W30? Will that lower temperatures?

[icingdeath88]

Might not lower temps, but still a good idea. 10w30 is what I run.

You could add an oil cooler if you feel like it's too hot.

[Bobb]

Hi Team, Mobil says if the outdoor temp does not go below 0F you should use 10W30; If it regularly goes below 0F use 5W30 during winter. If you have an owners manual it has quite a range of oils listed. In preparation for a trip out west last summer I put in mobil 1 high mileage 10W40 to allow for the higher temps I would encounter. Take care, BOBB

[Huskymaniac]

Thanks for the info on the clearances Tom. I was debating on what to put in for the summer and was considering 10W-40 for the same old school reasons. Now I will stick with 10W-30. I like high mileage oils for the seal conditioners and cleaners and Quaker State's HM oil has a great viscosity index. That means it won't get too thick at high temperature. Most synthetic oils also have high VIs. However, they are EXPENSIVE for those of us that are old school 3000-3750 mile OCIs.

[teamilluminata]

Thanks guys, this is all very interesting and useful but I'm still not sure if I should change my oil to 10W30 and whether that will lower my perceived high oil temperatures.

Doesn't anyone know what temperatures these engines typically see though?

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by teamilluminata

Thanks guys, this is all very interesting and useful but I'm still not sure if I should change my oil to 10W30 and whether that will lower my perceived high oil temperatures.

Doesn't anyone know what temperatures these engines typically see though?

I have a customers supercharged 1996 Corvette for a while now, and before I supercharged it the customer and I discussed installing an oil cooler onto it.
Driving it around with some hard runs
the water temperature never goes past 185°f, and the oil never above 215°f.
It has a 160°f thermostat, and the computer turns the radiator fans sooner/cooler than stock settings.
It runs the Chevrolet REQUIRED Mobile1 full synthetic 5/30.
At these temperatures I/we are not installing the oil cooler.

According to my Corvette expert friend/consultant, GM required the Mobile1, 5/30 so that they would not need an oil cooler!
I bought some gauges for my Claret but have not had the time to install them yet.
I would be THRILLED with a 230°f oil temperature!

[teamilluminata]

So I changed the oil to Mobil 1 10W30 and took it out for a "test". OK, so it is quicker than the old engine. The oil temperature is still high, perhaps higher so I definately need an oil cooler. Noise from the exhaust is amazing at WOT. What I was calling a "buzz" before is now a "SCREAM" !!!!

Definately have some hesitation between 2000 and 3000 rpm though. Have to check my ECU resistors.

Oh, and I test fitted this wheel just for fun. Should I?



18x8 BRAID Winrace A. I have some 215/40 Bridgestones I picked up cheap. Thought I might use them for track days and AutoCross.

[teamilluminata]

Does the SVX use an engine oil cooler or does it run at >230F as well?

[michael]

The UDSM SVX does not come equipped with an oil cooler but IIRC European SVXs do.

[teamilluminata]

Originally Posted by michael

The UDSM SVX does not come equipped with an oil cooler but IIRC European SVXs do.

Interesting. So why is my EG33 running such high oil temperatures?

[scoobymal]

Pic of my UK Svx with factory fitted modine oil cooler

[teamilluminata]

Originally Posted by scoobymal

Pic of my UK Svx with factory fitted modine oil cooler

Nice, what oil temperature does it run?

[michael]

Originally Posted by teamilluminata

Interesting. So why is my EG33 running such high oil temperatures?

Because it misses it's home