[Oliebabba]

My oil is running at 220-230 degrees F. What are my options as far as keeping it down to a reasonable temp? I just put in a lower temp termo switch, and that kinda helped a little. Some guys at jiffy lube also suggested I actually tried a lighter weight oil???? so I'm trying 10W-30 synthetic.
I'm just real concerned about how hot I'm running, it's not cool (no pun intended...haha)
Thanks

 

[LVMYGTI]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

Is this at idle or while you're pushing the car or just with normal driving. From what I've heard, about 100 degrees Celcius is a good temp to be running at. Thats about what you're at, so I wouldn't be that worried.

 

[Oliebabba]

Re: hot oil (LVMYGTI)

No, this is when i'm cruising on the freeway (85 mph). I swear it used to run around 208 degrees.
Are you sure I shouldn't be cooler? I've heard you should be weary at over 220 degrees. and I can hit 240 if I really push it.
hmmmm

 

[LVMYGTI]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

Ok, that is a little warm. well, if worse comes to worse, you can always just get an air oil cooler instead of the stock water oil cooler.

 

[Oliebabba]

Re: hot oil (LVMYGTI)

I'm a little new to dubs, so help me out here (i'm waiting for my bentley in the mail right now).
How is the oil cooled now (stock)?

 

[brelvis25]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

My 16v used to run up to the 255 range, it was bad, but it only hit there in the really hot days and i was pushing my car.. if you put cams in it, it will run warmer as well.. 210-230 is average I'm told for a 16v.

 

[Oliebabba]

Re: hot oil (brelvis25)

really?
I dunno, it just seems too hot.
Can I get it colder anyway? How?

 

[3WheelGTi]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

You shouldn't really be that concerned with an oil temp like that. I had a low temp (180 degree) thermostat and fanswitch on my old car, but it made it too cold in the winter and I dropped gas mileage significantly.

 

[LVMYGTI]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

Quote, originally posted by Oliebabba »

I'm a little new to dubs, so help me out here (i'm waiting for my bentley in the mail right now). How is the oil cooled now (stock)?

There is an oil cooler right above the oil filter, and it's hooked into the coolant system. The coolant cools the oil. However, some dubs came without this cooler. But I'm assuming you have the 16v, and they all came with this cooler. An air oil cooler replaces the stock cooler and runs air lines to a new radiator-looking unit. The cool air then cools the oil. If you're really worried about your heat, then this is a good option, but not a cheap one. However, I think that the temp. you're running at isn't really something to be worried about. HTH

 

[nickinboston]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

Quote, originally posted by Oliebabba »

My oil is running at 220-230 degrees F.

thats normal operating temp....especially during the warmer months...

 

[vwgti1986]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

Quote, originally posted by Oliebabba »

Some guys at jiffy lube also suggested I actually tried a lighter weight oil???? so I'm trying 10W-30 synthetic.

Wonder why they suggested a lighter weight oil.

Synthetic is a good bet anyway. Just make sure you use a high quality synthetic. Amsoill, Mobil 1 and Redline are all good ones.
Personally, I prefer to use hot oil for cooking and pouring on varlots when they attack my castle.
stef

 

[negativl]

Re: hot oil (vwgti1986)

Yes, go synth, but don't go thinner unless it's really cold where you are, which I'm pretty sure it isn't. 10W-30 is way too thin for that engine. If anything, you want to go thicker, because it'll thin out with heat and start to protect less. 20W-50 is fine pretty much anywhere in the US during summer.

Just make sure your fan switch works right, and don't worry about 240. Lotsa 16v guys see that all the time.

 

[Oliebabba]

Re: hot oil (negativl)

Awesome. Thanks for all your replys. I'll keep assuming that 220-230 is normal.
I'm sure I'll switch back to 20W-50 soon enough.
Lotsa Dub Love,
Olie

 

[ewongkaizen]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

Ive found that lighter weight oil makes the lo pressure warning go off..
Dubs like a heavier weight oil....
Most new motors have tighter tolerences tho...
Run 20/50 IMHO

 

[veedubkid]

Re: hot oil (ewongkaizen)

Quote, originally posted by ewongkaizen »

Ive found that lighter weight oil makes the lo pressure warning go off.. Dubs like a heavier weight oil.... Most new motors have tighter tolerences tho... Run 20/50 IMHO

as ive been working with several VW mechanics at work they all say use this oil, so i agree with you in every way! using a heavy oil also gets rid of that valve ticking noise too!

 

[rubenl]

Re: hot oil (veedubkid)

I too was nervous when my temps hit 240, installed low temp switch now it's around 230, use 20w50 also....

 

[GLIJetta90]

Re: hot oil (veedubkid)

Quote, originally posted by veedubkid »

using a heavy oil also gets rid of that valve ticking noise too!

Just make sure to do an oil change when you hit EARLY fall, or your valve ticking will go http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Not speaking from experience or anything

 

[Oliebabba]

Re: hot oil (GLIJetta90)

the guy who suggested to use a lighter weight oil said that it wasn't necessarily the oil weight that changed the temperature (as is normally thought), but actually the speed in which you can pass them across the bearings.......?? He wasn't a dub guy though - he works at jiffy lube.
Any thoughts?

 

[ewongkaizen]

Re: hot oil (Oliebabba)

I suppose it makes some sense - oil weight is as far as I know not related so much to "mass" as it is to "viscosity" - i.e. how fast the oil "flows" (the difference between water and say syrup).
It all depends on the "design" of the motor as well - bearing clearances, and stuff.
Lighter weight may fit in smaller tolernces but not have as much shear resistence and by moving faster may not pick up / store as much heat...

 

[negativl]

Re: hot oil (ewongkaizen)

yes, flowing more oil across the surfaces will help cooling, but thinner oil doesn't increase the flow of oil. Modern engines have totally different specs DESIGNED for bearing races, et al. to use thinner oil. The difference between the outside diameter of the bearing and the inside diameter of the race doesn't magically change with the oil, for example. The pump is designed to pump oil of a certain thickness. the sprayers are designed to flow a certain amount of oil at a given thickness and pressure, the pathways, drains, filters, everything was designed to function with the oil at a certain thickness.
Certainly don't use too thick of an oil either, but changing to too thin an oil is a good way to spin bearings and cause lots of other problems. You use the specified oil, or change a little at a time and see how it changes.