Max safe oil temp?????

[Steve]

Hi,

Just wondering if anybody could tell me what the max safe oil temp is for an engine? And please no guessing;)

Cheers

Steve

[Roy]

Id be checking the website for the oil type you use.

[Busky2k]

I'd be getting worried with sustained temps >120C . If its synthetic, its not an issue of oil breakdown, but more of the oil turning to water and sufficient lubrication will become an issue.

[Steve]

Thanks for the replies, 120C seems a bit high? is it quite safe? I dont have an oil cooler on my new car yet, but have oil temp - I am a bit paranoid about cooking the oil:)

[Roy]

Steve, new car? Cool...any big plans:)

Good synthetic oils handle high temps pretty well, but you should be able to find the ASTM test results for the respective oils with regards to viscosity at higher temps.

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS...bil1_15W-50.asp

I guess the type of turbo it runs also matters, as i think with a BB turbo the oil temp and pressure becomes an issue with actual engine internals before the BB turbo. But with a bush turbo like mine the oil temp / pressure may result in a turbo failure before you damage say a bottom end bearing?!?!?!?!?

[Cubes]

Squirting Darren's RB30DET around the other day the oil temp didn't go above 90degree's.

[Busky2k]

Steve, if you notice that your oil temps are consistantly on the hot side (ie 20-30C or higher than coolant temps) I would suggest you use a thicker oil to help maintain oil pressure as well as sufficient viscosity. Something synthetic like Mobil 1 5W50 or Castrol R 10W60 would be suffice until you get the oil cooler, and then you can go to a thinner one after (like a 10W40 etc). If you arent using a synthetic, I suggest you change to one straight away beacuse mineral oils like to leave deposits at high temps.

[Steve]

Roy, I had a look at that page, and it doesnt seem to say what the max safe temp is? or am I missing something.

I am running Mobil 1 5W50 - the oil temps seem to get up to 90-95deg C with minimal thrashing, then I back off as I get scared of the temps:)

It is a new car, sil80. I have almost completed the build up. FMIC, coilovers, full exhaust, kazama 350 turbo, trust ebc, 3 puck clutch, toda fly wheel, R32 calipers up front with endless pads, Uras pads rear, 2 way diff, castor rods, 2 core radiator, strut braces, fuel pump, injectors, z32 afm, power fc, mission mount, steer spacer, rack ends, modified shifter, bride brix seats, nardi steering wheel, trust heavy weighted shift knob, a few guages and some other bits.

About the only things I havent done is rear camber and toe arms and an oil cooler:D edit: and I wouldnt mind some upgraded swaybars.

so far the oil temps are only around 10-15 deg above water temps

Thanks again for your help guys.

[Busky2k]

Steve, looks like your oil temps are just fine. I wouldny worry at all. Btw, if you want cheap rear camber arms, visit www.garage-13.com $250 for a new pair.. bargain...

[Cubes]

I like the look of the Aluminium SR20DET oil/cooling pan.

http://www.garage-13.com/engine.html