oil overheating unique to vq37vhr engine?

cossie1600 · 09-08-2010, 10:12 PM

Nope, modern cars are designed to run hotter as oil has improved (especially with synthetic). Oil are at their most efficient point around 200-240F, this is why most cars have operating temperature in that range. Also what is causing the heat, RPMs!!!! I can see a 5-10 degree drop in temperature simply by shifting 700 RPM earlier than normal. Unless you are tracking the car or drive in heavy traffic or in hot weather, I honestly wouldn't worry about it as long as you have high quality oil in the motor and change it when you need it.

You don't hear about problems on other cars because they don't have a gauge.....

Fabsnoop · 10-12-2010, 03:13 AM

what about the lack of air flow? Car and driver tested the brakes on several cars. Our cars failed hard. They said it was because of a lack of air flow to the brakes. Does that have any correlation with the oil temps?

cossie1600 · 10-12-2010, 07:42 AM

Airflow has nothing to do with it, there is nothing to cool the oil to begin with! Modern oil can tolerate much higher temperature compare to what it used to. As long as the engine is built with the tolerance in mind, it doesn't matter. Most cars cruise at 205-220 now compare to the days of 160-180F. Oil are more efficient in the 200 range and it is better for emission.

The brake issue is overblown. The car has 14" rotors and giant calipers, I am sure it isn't as bad as the 350 on 12.7" single piston caliper. It's the pads! Sure more airflow helps, but most street cars don't have ducts anyway.

dalparadise · 10-16-2010, 06:49 PM

I know this has been beaten to death, but...

For those concerned about damage to their engines at the oil temps we routinely see in the 370Z (220-260), I submit a pic of the oil temp gauge in a Ferrari California. Note that it doesn't become a "red line" temp until 300 degrees.

I think the 370's limp mode activation at 280 is in response to how fast it heats up -- to get out in front of an engine damaging situation before it hits 300 and stays there for any amount of time.

In other words, the problem is not how hot the oil gets in normal driving, but rather how quickly it gets there and potentially beyond in track or aggressive driving. Thus, it should be easily managed in all but track situations.

Mine rarely climbs above 240 and has never been above 260 to my knowledge. That's in Houston heat and driving hard.

IDZRVIT · 10-16-2010, 09:39 PM

The SM oil certification requires a successful test of the oil brand at a 300 deg oil temperature sustained for a continuous 24 hour period under load. The bearings are then checked for wear. If there is no wear or wear is minimal, then the oil gets certified SM.

10-16-2010, 09:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
IDZRVIT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,659 Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette Rep Power: 29	The SM oil certification requires a successful test of the oil brand at a 300 deg oil temperature sustained for a continuous 24 hour period under load. The bearings are then checked for wear. If there is no wear or wear is minimal, then the oil gets certified SM. __________________ "America.... still builds rockets!" Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp '13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

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09-08-2010, 10:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 32	Nope, modern cars are designed to run hotter as oil has improved (especially with synthetic). Oil are at their most efficient point around 200-240F, this is why most cars have operating temperature in that range. Also what is causing the heat, RPMs!!!! I can see a 5-10 degree drop in temperature simply by shifting 700 RPM earlier than normal. Unless you are tracking the car or drive in heavy traffic or in hot weather, I honestly wouldn't worry about it as long as you have high quality oil in the motor and change it when you need it. You don't hear about problems on other cars because they don't have a gauge.....

10-12-2010, 03:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fabsnoop Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 34 Drives: Nissan 370z Rep Power: 16	what about the lack of air flow? Car and driver tested the brakes on several cars. Our cars failed hard. They said it was because of a lack of air flow to the brakes. Does that have any correlation with the oil temps?

10-12-2010, 07:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 32	Airflow has nothing to do with it, there is nothing to cool the oil to begin with! Modern oil can tolerate much higher temperature compare to what it used to. As long as the engine is built with the tolerance in mind, it doesn't matter. Most cars cruise at 205-220 now compare to the days of 160-180F. Oil are more efficient in the 200 range and it is better for emission. The brake issue is overblown. The car has 14" rotors and giant calipers, I am sure it isn't as bad as the 350 on 12.7" single piston caliper. It's the pads! Sure more airflow helps, but most street cars don't have ducts anyway.