MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => General => Topic started by: Garfy on October 15, 2021, 06:40

Title: Oil temp advice
Post by: Garfy on October 15, 2021, 06:40
Good morning everyone, I hope all is well    :)

My oil temp gauge is all wired up and running now, I didn't realise how far behind the water temp it runs.
Can anyone give me a start temp to use the turbo and what the optimal temp would be?

Reason I added it is I'm up early and can't let the engine warm up, can't upset the neighborhood (more than I normally do).
Hot a dual carriageway with 3 miles and don't want to break anything.

Many thanks for the info,
Have a great Friday  ;D
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 07:31
Yes people often get a shock when they see how slow oil is to warm up!  typically oil likes to be 70c or so before you start to work it hard.

Edit to add, just to be clear it doesnt mean you have to baby the revs until 70c but just be sensible with no hard loads or high revs with boost etc, a bonus of a turbo is it warms the oil up quicker as well :D
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: JB21 on October 15, 2021, 08:45
Just fitted a oil temp gauge to my 2zz, and it gets to 70c very quickly, not as fast as the coolant but not far off. My 330d however, it can take 10 miles before you can safely boot it.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 12:48
I would say 10mins is about the norm some take longer, surprising the 2zz warms up so quickly where is the sensor ?
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Dev on October 15, 2021, 13:36
My 2zz takes a good while before the oil warms up to where I can drive it aggressively.  Just about 20 minutes of driving.
 The proper operating oil temps for aggressive driving needs to be 185F or 85C.
 
You shouldn't make it a habit of warming up a car for more than two minutes at idle. Not only does it take longer but prolonged idle causes cylinder wash which depletes the oils causing wear. 
 What I do is warm up for about a minute and then drive it slowly at first with keeping the revs low until about 37C and then drive normally after that without driving it aggressively.
 In the past you needed to warm up a car at idle because the oil and engine technology was not that good to lubricate parts from a start but that is not the case anymore.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: JB21 on October 15, 2021, 14:37
Quote from: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 12:48I would say 10mins is about the norm some take longer, surprising the 2zz warms up so quickly where is the sensor ?

Oil filter, via a sandwich plate. With a minutes idling mine takes around 3 miles of steady driving to reach 70, around 5 miles to reach 80 and around 7 miles to reach its operating temp of 88-91. All this was at a steady 60-70mph, no start stop traffic.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: 1979scotte on October 15, 2021, 14:50
Between 10 and 20 mins before mine used to get to a steady temp
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 14:59
Quote from: JB21 on October 15, 2021, 14:37
Quote from: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 12:48I would say 10mins is about the norm some take longer, surprising the 2zz warms up so quickly where is the sensor ?

Oil filter, via a sandwich plate. With a minutes idling mine takes around 3 miles of steady driving to reach 70, around 5 miles to reach 80 and around 7 miles to reach its operating temp of 88-91. All this was at a steady 60-70mph, no start stop traffic.

Ah ok usually does warm up bit quicker on sandwich plate over a sump fitting, still seems quick that though,  what gauge have you got out of interest and what temps were you seeing on track ?  ive found some big variations between brands over the years.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: JB21 on October 15, 2021, 15:07
Quote from: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 14:59
Quote from: JB21 on October 15, 2021, 14:37
Quote from: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 12:48I would say 10mins is about the norm some take longer, surprising the 2zz warms up so quickly where is the sensor ?

Oil filter, via a sandwich plate. With a minutes idling mine takes around 3 miles of steady driving to reach 70, around 5 miles to reach 80 and around 7 miles to reach its operating temp of 88-91. All this was at a steady 60-70mph, no start stop traffic.

Ah ok usually does warm up bit quicker on sandwich plate over a sump fitting, still seems quick that though,  what gauge have you got out of interest and what temps were you seeing on track ?  ive found some big variations between brands over the years.

JDM series Prosport gauge with stepper. Max temp on track was 125°C. I don't do prolonged sessions though, normally a warm up lap, followed by 3 hot laps and then a cool down lap. Ambient temp was 13°C.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Garfy on October 15, 2021, 17:34
Thanks for all the info folk, so I got out to around 95 - 100 with a little spirited driving, was just wondering what I should put the warning at, especially after seeing the post of 125 on track 😮
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: JB21 on October 15, 2021, 18:21
Quote from: Garfy on October 15, 2021, 17:34Thanks for all the info folk, so I got out to around 95 - 100 with a little spirited driving, was just wondering what I should put the warning at, especially after seeing the post of 125 on track 😮

125 is good for track mate. Like you the best I could get to on the road was 100. With good synthetic oil you can reach a peak of 150 for short spells without the oil breaking down. I'd set you warning at 130 and see how you go.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Roj on October 15, 2021, 18:30
Should probably note that you'll want to keep the engine running for a few minutes after the oils been up to higher temps. That will keep the oil flowing round the turbo and reduce heat spots until the oil cools down a bit.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: AJRFulton on October 16, 2021, 06:03
Quote from: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 14:59
Quote from: JB21 on October 15, 2021, 14:37
Quote from: thetyrant on October 15, 2021, 12:48I would say 10mins is about the norm some take longer, surprising the 2zz warms up so quickly where is the sensor ?

Oil filter, via a sandwich plate. With a minutes idling mine takes around 3 miles of steady driving to reach 70, around 5 miles to reach 80 and around 7 miles to reach its operating temp of 88-91. All this was at a steady 60-70mph, no start stop traffic.

Ah ok usually does warm up bit quicker on sandwich plate over a sump fitting, still seems quick that though,  what gauge have you got out of interest and what temps were you seeing on track ?  ive found some big variations between brands over the years.

I've 3 locations where I can attach the sensor. Sump, oil cooler outlet and sandwich plate inlet.

The sandwich plate gives a significantly higher reading than the sump and oil cooler. I'm certain it is measuring the temperature of the metal rather than oil. The oil has only travelled a short distance from the cooler to sandwich plate, going through no 'hot' components - so to have gained the 20-30°c indicated seems unlikely. I don't trust that position for the sensor at all.

I now use the sump as my reference point as I feel it gives the best indication of how hot the oils getting.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Garfy on October 16, 2021, 08:02
Quote from: Roj on October 15, 2021, 18:30Should probably note that you'll want to keep the engine running for a few minutes after the oils been up to higher temps. That will keep the oil flowing round the turbo and reduce heat spots until the oil cools down a bit.
Thanks Roj, I assume you mean before turning the engine off?

On my way into work it only just gets up to an operating temp, therefore should be ok to just turn engine off?

However 😁 on way back from work I take a longer route and drive a little more spiritly ☺️ into the low 100's temp and normally park up for 5 mins before switching engine off. This would be good practice?
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Roj on October 16, 2021, 10:56
Quote from: Garfy on October 16, 2021, 08:02
Quote from: Roj on October 15, 2021, 18:30Should probably note that you'll want to keep the engine running for a few minutes after the oils been up to higher temps. That will keep the oil flowing round the turbo and reduce heat spots until the oil cools down a bit.
Thanks Roj, I assume you mean before turning the engine off?

On my way into work it only just gets up to an operating temp, therefore should be ok to just turn engine off?

However 😁 on way back from work I take a longer route and drive a little more spiritly ☺️ into the low 100's temp and normally park up for 5 mins before switching engine off. This would be good practice?

Yep, just leave the engine running for a wee bit until you see the oil temp drop. If the oil isn't being pumped round the engine it'll take longer to cool and hot oil sitting in one place within the circuit isn't ideal,especially inside a red hot turbo.

Sounds like it won't be required on your morning commute but if you can be bothered to sit for a few minutes after your spirited evening drive it'll help.
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Alex Knight on October 16, 2021, 14:57
Quote from: Garfy on October 15, 2021, 17:34Thanks for all the info folk, so I got out to around 95 - 100 with a little spirited driving, was just wondering what I should put the warning at, especially after seeing the post of 125 on track 😮

https://youtu.be/ta_0qRVQ65M
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Garfy on October 16, 2021, 20:22
Didn't understand a word of that 🥺
Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Alex Knight on October 16, 2021, 23:05
Quote from: Garfy on October 16, 2021, 20:22Didn't understand a word of that 🥺

Sorry. This is much better:

Title: Re: Oil temp advice
Post by: Garfy on October 18, 2021, 09:05
Quote from: Alex Knight on October 16, 2021, 23:05
Quote from: Garfy on October 16, 2021, 20:22Didn't understand a word of that 🥺

Sorry. This is much better:

Can't see me running flat out for any period of time 😁
Hence, I shouldn't worry too much 🙄