Oil temp issues
 

Greetings,

I wanted to get feedback from all of you here in regards to oil temp issues on 370z. I own a 2010 370z Nismo and as the temperature has started to climb this summer, so has my car oil temp during daily driving. I'm not talking about pedal to the metal kind of stuff, just your normal highway/city driving. I work in downtown Chicago and my commute, on days I drive is about 35-40min sometimes an hour. During that time my car normally operates around 180-220 degrees. Recently it's been hovering around 230 degrees due to the warmer weather we've had.

I've read up on this and it seems I'm not the only one experiencing this with the 370. Majority of the people have turned to oil coolers (granted they live in warmer climate) to resolve this problem. My only concern is, because I live in Chicago, and it's only warm here for about 4 months outta the year, would it be wise to invest in a oil cooler kit? At the temps I'm experiencing, the car doesn't feel the same when I push her. It takes away the fun from driving her and majority of the time, I'm keeping an eye on the oil temp gauge.

I've read people telling one another that it's fine, these cars run hot and things like, if you're not tracking it then don't bother.
I just want to know what you all have experienced with your Z car and if something worked for you, I'm open for any feedback/advise you may have for me.

Ps - to the trolls on this forum, please don't come on this thread and ruin it.

Thanks.

get a 25 row oil cooler and call it a day.

Would it be a problem during the harsh winters we experience in Chicago?

I highly doubt it but remember too cool is not good either, if you are looking at 180-220 on regular days the 25 row should lower you anywhere between 15-18 so your numbers should look something like 165-205 which is just fine. Hard runs you probably will not see anything over 230 degrees.

Time 2 get that NM oil cooler. Get a winter beater for CHI winters...:horse:

230 seems to be normal for me on warm days. It can get as high as 250 or higher if I'm driving spiritedly on a hot day. I wouldn't want to run that hot for very long but shouldn't be a problem for most DDs. Most oils can handle up to 300 (on paper, anyway) but I'm not sure where it starts being a problem for the engine.

That's why i interval every 3k :ughdance:

See the way my checking account is setup...:facepalm:


Yea I've pushed her and she's gone as high as 260 but from what I've read, these cars go into limp mode around 280. Plus that kind of heat obviously affects the engine and the overall lifespan.

220- 230 is not especially hot. If it were creeping into the 240 - 250 range during normal driving, I'd be a bit more concerned.

I say try the ARC cool fins first -- search for threads by me on here with details. Inexpensive and effective for dropping temps by 10 -15* F, which is plenty to get you into an optimal, but not over-cooled range.

I honestly do not see the need for an oil cooler unless you track the car OR see temps shooting up into the 240+ range regularly.

Nissan engineers thought the VQ37 engine ran hot too and in 2012 added a cooling system to the oil and added a larger pressurized coolant tank like the GTRs have. My '13 has both of those mods and my temps run about 200 in DD and as high as 220 when I push it in the twisties. Of course I live in the PNW where 80 is the normal summer temp. OP, why not add a 25 row oil cooler and run with it that way in the summer. Then fab up a sheet metal block off plate and put it over the cooler in the winter? Blocking off the cooler in winter would prevent overcooling.

PS: If you don't get a winter beater to drive, at least get a good set of winter tires. Trust me, you won't like the summer tires on frozen roads. But you probably already know that being from Chicago.

I too live in Chicago area and recently added a 19 Row Oil Cooler to keep oil temps in check during the warmer months. I would recommend a 19 Row if you will strictly be Street driven. If you plan on tracking moderately, a 25 Row, if you plan on heavy tracking a 34 Row.

I would strongly recommend a Thermostatic Plate as well, especially if you plan on DD your Z year round. If you will DD during winter months, you will need to block off the cooler in order to maintain proper oil temps during this period.

If you are not a DIY type of guy, I highly recommend the following.

Purchase the Oil Cooler here, Cooling

Install it here, Project X Customs | Project X Customs

Projectxcustoms is located in Schaumburg, IL. They specialize in Z's. They have installed multiple oil coolers for our Z. Great guys, great service, great prices. You can't go wrong with them.

Good luck.

I thought the oil cooler for 2011 & up got that problem fixed with the OEM oil cooler for DD not track... :confused:

It may have been '11+ on the oil cooler and '12+ on the pressurized/larger capacity radiator tank. But the OP has a 2010 model.

AFAIK, there's nothing wrong with 220-250 and occasional 260 temps. So, oil cooler is not needed - but if it makes you feel better, then get one.

I only hit 230+ when I'm driving spirited and when I let off it quickly cools back down to 215-220. I've only hit 240 once and that was really getting on it on one of our cruises. I'm not concerned. That being said, if you are that concerned, I would go with a 25 row with a thermostatic plate. In the winter, get a block off plate to put in front of the cooler if you plan on driving it.

Also think about switching to synthetic oil if your not already running it.

I think 165-205 is a little on the cool side personally.

I have a 2012 and the oil gets hot, do you have link to the info on the difference between 12+ and older cars, I am actually looking at getting the biggest oil cooler I can find, oil gets hot as soon as I push it, thanks! t

If over 250 consistently then maybe but is that the case?

i think people flip out more than they should... on other cars you don't have a oil gauge and don't even know what the temperature is. with our 370z's you see it and you think something is wrong. you stated yourself you only have about 4 months of warm weather and it getting to 230 sometimes is fine. no point in spending money on a oil cooler, but if it will make you sleep better at night by all means get one.

Hey neighbor... i'm in Elgin!

I drive my Z all winter long on Blizzaks. I have a Z1 25 row cooler kit and it's fine "if" you block it off. I used header wrap.

Problem solved *dusts off hands*

Ive never seen mine hit 220, it gets to a notch just below 220F max thus far. What are the notches, 5 or 10F each?

unless hey changed it on the newer ones, each tick is 5* F

My 13 gets to 220 every day, wether city or freeway here in Los Angeles.

:iagree:

is it expected that the engine oil runs hotter in congestion? i mean the iat is high already due to poor air circulation.

ive not seen my oil go past 235 range... and mine is a 09 (no oil cooler)

Get a thermostatic oil cooler. My temp stays pinned at 180 - 190 (mostly 180) degrees with my Fast Intentions 34 row.

Would that work during winter?

I lied, today I hit 220 wasnt even driving hard which I never do btw.

I reach 220 within 15min driving on the highway. It easily reaches that temp. And when I start pushing it past 3500 rpms it gets to 230-240.

I'm planning on driving this throughout the year myself. I would have to purchase a kit and get it installed. I've never done such work myself.

I have the 25 row cooler obviously Im in FL.
Normal DD 180F on hard driving 220's up.

Just get the 19 row and block it off during winter times.
For some reasons the Z feels sluggish and engine sounds crappy on a slow phased traffic mid afternoon its like the car is being choked.
Most high performance engine hates to be driven slow as it needs the air to cool it off. Besides the Z is prone to suffer engine heat soak in traffic on a warm weather.

That is where I felt the difference of having the oil cooler. The car still drives smooth. Somebody also suggested here change your oil to a synthetic one. I use redline seems to work in harmony with the engine.

I'm in central Texas and it's been in the mid 90 ' s here. My 13 Z runs around 220 in little to no traffic but it was creeping around 240 at the drag strip at night a few weeks back. You boys up north should not have issues with heat unless it's about the models with no oil coolers.

I run full synthetic Mobil1 on her.


I have the 2010 and it didn't come with the oil cooler to my knowledge.

The 2012 + had a "special" ( waste of space ) oil cooler. Hence me testing it.

Whatever new magic parts are installed I know the oil on my 2014 stays cooler a little longer than on my 2011. I actually bought into the snake oil charm of installing a 25 row oil cooler on a DD while living in Maryland and removed it after my neurosis ate away at my sanity that one of the lines would start leaking and I'd lose all oil/blow the motor. Needless to say I never overtemped the oil in 98 degree east cost heat and most likely will not in Tennessee heat as a daily driver.

I believe it Mocal sandwich plate still lets some oil through so your temps would be way too cold for winter. As others suggested, you should block off the cooler in the winter. There are two ways of getting this done.

1.) Get some aluminum and make a square block off plate the same size as the oil cooler. Hook some tabs onto the cooler so that the plate can slide the plate in and out.

2.) Use some cardboard and zip ties.

I like the second option because it's easy and cheap.