My oil is too dang cold. I've been driving in temps around 15F at times, and can't get the oil over 120F without going into boost, which I'm VERY hesitant too with such cold oil.

I've fabricated small blocking plates for the right side fender inlet, as well as the first 1/3rd of the front mesh where some air goes into the oil cooler. I've seen little change from these modifications.

Where does everyone sit on the temperature range of oil? In Florida, I could usually hold a steady 160F at highway speeds, 145F around town. I've never gotten it over 180F.
Is there anything I can do to keep oil temps up in the winter? I believe I have blocked off about all of the air going to the oil cooler.


Oil cooler fender air blocker, and front bumper blocker.


The fender one I cut out from cardboard, wrapped the edges in electrical tape, then plastidipped the whole thing. I drove to Iowa from Florida with it installed, with minimal change to oil temp. The cardboard section I installed when I got up to Iowa. I did not bother to waterproof it because it's never above 32F this time of year. It blocks the small section to the passenger side of the intercooler than also funnels air to the oil cooler. I'm not sure where else I may be losing thermal energy in the oil, other than the cooler. As far as I'm concerned, it's the stock cooler, the driver side fender is for the SST of which I've disabled the cooling fan that was always on. Kozmic warned that the cold trans oil will burn out the clutches.

 

Why are you so worried about your oil temps? It doesn't take long to get up to operating temps.

Hell it's -40 here and my car drives just fine. I really wouldn't worry about it.

Maybe your oil temp gauge is reading wrong?

 

It's not getting all the water out of it.
It drives fine, there is no perceivable issue. It's just my understanding that oil temps below ~160F can be considered under operating range.

I just got back from a 50 minute drive in 2f, never got over 115

 

Yea thats kinda strange. Water? Unless you are referring to a little condensation or there is something I don't know....there shouldn't be any water in your oil :P

Could it possibly be your gauge you are using? have you tried replacing the oil? What kind of oil are you using?

 

Water is one of the byproducts of combustion, and is more present on cold start. A concern for oil not getting over 160-180* is 100% valid for not getting the water to evaporate out of the oil.

OP, your best bet is to try blocking off the oil cooler as best as possible. Just blocking the duct in the bump may not be enough. You might have to figure out to completely wrap the cooler some heat resistant material.

 

Thanks for the explanation, that makes sense

What about a oil pan blanket? It would at least keep the oil in your pan warm to help with cold starts.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...CABEgLyKvD_BwE

 

You can also look into an inline thermostat.

Also, do you have a way to monitor oil pressure?

 

Thermostat would be a pain to plumb since he has factory lines and oil cooler. Just filing block the cooler for winter months would be easy button.

 

He does have it covered.

I said "look into an inline thermostat". he already has gone to lengths to put on a oil pan warmer, etc on.

 

He has the ducting blocked. Air still swirls around under the car. Needs to wrap the cooler so it sees no air flow. It's only about 45-50 here, and I have to block the duct to even see 150* on my car. But full on wrapping the cooler it ran too hot. So 150* it is lol

 

I never thought about wrapping the cooler, perhaps one of these weekends I can get the fender liner down and do that.

As for oil pressure, I do not have a gauge, and it's been something I've been partially concerned about. However, I'm not doing any track days with it anytime soon. I check the oil regularly, and make sure it's on the upper half of the hatched area. The AMS 2.2 at my power level recommends 10w-40. I'm using Rotella T6 5w-40 for my colder climate.

I have 2 items adding thermal energy to the car, a 600W inline lower radiator hose that's in front of the trans sump cover, and a 125W pad under the oil pan.
the 125w heater has a hard time with the car parked outside. It typically gives me 20-30F over ambient temp on the oil temp gauge. The larger models though were too big to fit the small flat area on the pan I had to work with. Better than nothing I suppose, oil at 20F is better flowing than oil at -10F

 

I'm gonna try wrapping my cooler as well, then. I can't get the oil above 140* while idling, driving, etc.

 

How is my car still alive if people in California can't get their oils up to temp?! :P

 

Would be helpful if people would state where their oil temp sensor is located.

I had zero issues getting my oil up to temp in California “winter”. Mid 40’s to mid 50’s

setrab cooler, map large capacity oil pan. 6.5 quarts oil. 20w-50 vr1. Sensor in oil pan.

 

My sensor is in the drain plug. Central California winters. 7qts of oil through a Setrab cooler.
Spring and Fall are better. Daily driving just doesn't seem to do the trick.