Oil Coolers

[neohic]

Has anyone added an oil cooler to their 4.0? It has been hot in Colorado. I noticed today that my oil temperature gauge (aftermarket) was reading 190°+ today. Ambient air temperature was around 100° and the coolant temperature gauge (factory) was bouncing between just under and just over 210° while under load going uphill for a few miles.

 

I’m wondering if anyone here has had ran one, either an adapter or tapped into the block elsewhere, with good results on lowering their overall running temperatures. Thanks, gang!

[89 MJ]

Hmmmm, if there is an oil filter relocation kit, I think I’d do that and then the oil cooler in series with the remote filter. I’m curious about this now too. 

[neohic]

1 hour ago, 89 MJ said:

Hmmmm, if there is an oil filter relocation kit, I think I’d do that and then the oil cooler in series with the remote filter. I’m curious about this now too. 

I was looking into adapter kits that also relocate the filter. Mine is a bit harder to get to now that the axle is closer to the frame. Not sure where I’d put a filter, but I think I could find a spot if the benefits are worth it. 

[Pete M]

what temperature is it supposed to be at?  no sense in adding a cooler if it's unnecessary. 

[neohic]

34 minutes ago, Pete M said:

what temperature is it supposed to be at?  no sense in adding a cooler if it's unnecessary. 

Right? That’s what I get for installing additional “worry circles”. 
 

I guess I’d like to see the coolant staying under 210°. It makes sense to me that keeping the oil cooler as it circulates through the engine would help the whole party keep its cool. 

[Pete M]

I assure you that the oil inside the cylinders is a LOT warmer than 210. 

[neohic]

23 minutes ago, Pete M said:

I assure you that the oil inside the cylinders is a LOT warmer than 210. 

I agree which is what was making me think that trying to lower oil temps would help with overall running temps. Now I’m wondering if trying to lower oil temps might actually harm things by not being able to cook out moisture. Hmm…

[Eagle]

44 minutes ago, neohic said:

I agree which is what was making me think that trying to lower oil temps would help with overall running temps. Now I’m wondering if trying to lower oil temps might actually harm things by not being able to cook out moisture. Hmm…

 

If the oil temperature is 190 and the coolant temperature is 210, the oil isn't adding heat to the coolant.

 

According to this source, 190 is colder than optimum for engine oil: https://engineoiljournal.com/engine-oil-temperature-chart/

 

Also: https://oilspecguide.com/viscosity-grades/engine-oil-temperature-normal-range/

 

https://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine-oil-temperature

 

https://engineoiljournal.com/normal-engine-oil-temperature/

[neohic]

10 hours ago, Eagle said:

 

If the oil temperature is 190 and the coolant temperature is 210, the oil isn't adding heat to the coolant.

 

According to this source, 190 is colder than optimum for engine oil: https://engineoiljournal.com/engine-oil-temperature-chart/

 

Also: https://oilspecguide.com/viscosity-grades/engine-oil-temperature-normal-range/

 

https://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine-oil-temperature

 

https://engineoiljournal.com/normal-engine-oil-temperature/

My temperature probe for the oil has some ambient crossover. Ideally, I think it should be in the oil pan, but mine is tied into the same port as the oil pressure sender. I understand that my operating temperature is not at the 190° that my gauge says it is… it is more of a “worry circle”. I run 20/50 in my engine (4.6ish stroker).

 

I was hoping the conversation of this thread would be more in line with getting overall operating temperatures down by adding an oil cooler.

[Pete M]

I think you're worrying about something that is working perfectly.  because it's all the same giant blob of a heat sink, the ambient oil temp should be roughly what the engine temp is and last I checked my 4.0s run at 210.   

[derf]

Engines need some heat in them to operate most efficiently.

 

Having too much cooling can have an adverse effect on how well the engine operates.  You can lower the fuel efficiency and even lose a little power if you're running too cold.

 

If the engine gets the coolant up to normal operating temperature (around 210°) and stays there, you really don't need more cooling than that.