Concern with Oil Cooler / Oil Temps

SouthArk370Z · 12-31-2012, 09:23 PM

160F shouldn't do any harm with normal street driving, but it's not optimal. The oil is thicker at lower temps and puts more stress on the oiling system, but I haven't heard of anyone having problems with it. As far as I can tell, it doesn't have much of an effect on lubrication, but I haven't seen any tests.
Keeping your engine load and RPMs low until the oil gets warm helps prevent problems.
As others have suggested, blocking part of the cooler during cold weather works well. Anything that will block the wind and not melt will work.
If there is an adjustment on the bypass, try it.

cv129 · 12-31-2012, 09:43 PM

Agree with above. I remembered reading on the 350z forum, oil pressure is very high with cold oil temp, and dropped off significantly once oil reaches 100F. The only thing about oil temp not reaching 212F is that you won't be able to "cook off" any water that may have gotten into the oil. (370z oil temp is taken post oil cooler so 180F will equate to about 200F when circulating inside engine).

A few times, I just turned on the car and let it idle, took 30 min to get up to 180, then dropped str8 back to 160 within a few min once I get on the freeway, that's with 1/3 of the cooler covered up (34 row).

12-31-2012, 09:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324199	160F shouldn't do any harm with normal street driving, but it's not optimal. The oil is thicker at lower temps and puts more stress on the oiling system, but I haven't heard of anyone having problems with it. As far as I can tell, it doesn't have much of an effect on lubrication, but I haven't seen any tests. Keeping your engine load and RPMs low until the oil gets warm helps prevent problems. As others have suggested, blocking part of the cooler during cold weather works well. Anything that will block the wind and not melt will work. If there is an adjustment on the bypass, try it. DEpointfive0 likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

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12-31-2012, 09:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,273 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 163997	Agree with above. I remembered reading on the 350z forum, oil pressure is very high with cold oil temp, and dropped off significantly once oil reaches 100F. The only thing about oil temp not reaching 212F is that you won't be able to "cook off" any water that may have gotten into the oil. (370z oil temp is taken post oil cooler so 180F will equate to about 200F when circulating inside engine). A few times, I just turned on the car and let it idle, took 30 min to get up to 180, then dropped str8 back to 160 within a few min once I get on the freeway, that's with 1/3 of the cooler covered up (34 row).