Oil Coolers

Topic: Oil Coolers (Read 681 times) previous topic - next topic

Oil Coolers

July 01, 2012, 08:49:30 AM

Their is always a lot of controversy on engine oil temps and coolers. In my shop we discuss this all the time. And we have ran some tests. Not laboratory quality but just run of the mill testing. The 2.3 ford has a cooler /warmer system that uses the oil filter to accomplish this. It runs coolant through a heat exchanger and warms the oil in the winter and supposedly cools the oil in summer. Well here is my take on this as a non engineer but an engine builder. The 2.3 TC motor in a T BIRD has a cooling system that was built with a 192* thermostat. That means the coolant will in fact run somewhere around 197* The fan controller operates the main engine fan at app 221* on those cars. So as most know oil that is non synthetic types should not exceed app 200* but synthetics can run at app 250* So does the cooler that cools the oil heat the oil to MUCH??? My theory is YES. Why would an oil cooler be used that exceeds the normal max amount of heat conventional oils can safely run at?? My theory is the engineers wanted to heat the oils not cool it Reason being cold oils do not flow to good. So is the TC 2.3 oil cooler good or bad?? I say it is primarily a heater other than a cooler. Now a properly set up 2.3 should never be run over 185* in my view any way. So if properly set up is the stock cooler really a plus?? I say no. Any comments will be appreciated

Note Jangus posted this

Running a turbo with no center section cooling will raise oil tempuratures and reduce oil life.

I never suggested not running center section cooling on a turbo that is the first thing i want to make that perfectly clear. And with a turbo with cooling provisions it takes it toll on the cooling system as well and adds quite a lot of heat to the system. Other than a stand alone oil cooler why transfer heat from the cooling system that is at or above 200* In my theory that makes no sense whatsoever. So why run a water to oil system??? BAD OR GOOD??? Or run an oil to air system BETTER AND BETTER??? What is your take on this Thanks!!

Oil Coolers

Reply #1 – July 01, 2012, 09:00:41 AM

I see what your saying, but what temps do the oil see, Im sure much higher than the coolant temp. With running through the turbo to lube it, I assume the oil gets DANG hot! Especially with very hard driving.

Im sure it pulls some heat out, under the strenuous conditions. Im no pro tho LOL.

Oil Coolers

Reply #2 – July 01, 2012, 09:07:28 AM

That might be true then the vischious cycle works the other way?? Adding more heat to the cooling system. So having a cooling system big enough to handle both is a c in my view. So other than an oil to air stand alone what is the advantage of a system that defeats itself??? ANYONE!!!

Oil Coolers

Reply #3 – July 01, 2012, 02:16:43 PM

Depends on how hot you want your coolant and oil to be. You should plumb in an air cooled unit with a temp gauge and run it both ways to see which is more effective. It seems that if it's that much of a needle in your mind, lower the thermostat temp to 180 or 160 to give the cooling system some room to absorb heat from the oil while not exceeding your desired heat saturation and not getting overly close to the cooling systems design limits of heat dissipation. When I swapped my explorer engine, I spent a lot of time adjusting things so that the water pump inlet would line up better with the oil cooler that came with the motor. I had similar concerns, so I swapped in a 180 degree thermostat. I like to think that in addition to keeping the cooling system away from it's upper limit, I'm also keeping the oil a little cooler.

Oil Coolers

Reply #4 – July 01, 2012, 05:01:06 PM

I would daresay that with the engine up to normal, designed operating temperature, the effect of a few degrees cooler on the oil wouldn't do a thing harmful. In fact, it could only do good, seeing as heat is the number enemy of oil.

If the ambient air temp was always below freezing, it may not even be worth the concern. As far as the drama over oil-to-water vs oil-to-air coolers, I couldn't care any less, as I don't and never will own another 2.3 car.

With that said, if it's a concern with overly taxing the cooling system (which shouldn't an issue with a lower temp t-stat and properly mixed coolant, AND a good water pump) then fab or buy an air cooled setup...Your car, your choices :)