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Engine Oil Temperature

What engine oil temps are you seeing?  What has been your highest you have seen?  I know on the newer Cummins they have oil thermostats, not sure if all do but would think so. Does anyone know for sure what the temp is that they start to open?
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #1 –
Do any coaches come stock with engine oil temp gauge?  Our '93 does not have one.

Those with Silverleaf VSMpc system can perhaps read engine oil temp...?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #2 –
220 normal.. climbing a big hill 235. If I remember correctly.. Called Cummins and they said that the temps were within specs

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #3 –
The pre 97 guys can just get a handheld temp gun and shoot the oil filter,if the temp does get hot you'll more than likely see it in
the water temp.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #4 –
About 220 under normal load. The Silverleaf alarm is set at 250 for high oil temp, from what I remember.
Previous coach - 2007 Phenix 45'

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #5 –
I have the VMSpc yellow oil temperature light come on at 208° and red at 225°.  It very rarely gets over 208°.  Cummins told me the oil temp thermostat is set to 225° on my ISM 11.  It may be different on other engines.  225° was still OK.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #6 –
"1997 U295 "

Is that a ISL or ISC?  I think the different engines would have different operating ranges. The ISM is no doubt different as well.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #7 –
For conventional oils, the temperature to evaporate water vapor and burn off deposits is around 220 degrees. Water vapor will continue to condensate up to about 185 degrees so this is why it's poor practice to routinely start a cold engine and idle it to warm it. So, an operating range from 220 to 250 is fine for conventional oils. Keep in mind that the oil temperature will exceed this at the piston rings. Anything over 270 degrees will start to break down the oil and shutting down the engine without allowing the oil to cool after a good pull will raise the oil temperature well above this at the turbo and cause conventional oil to coke.

Synthetics can operate at well over 300 degrees without breaking down and won't coke. Race cars can operate at over 350 degrees with synthetics.

If you have the budget, use synthetic oil. It's probably going to be cheaper in the long run, even a lot cheaper.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #8 –
Note that for Detroit 2 cycles, a synthetic oil may be used only if it does not have any viscosity improvers in it.

Quote:

"• Viscosity index: When oil gets colder, it becomes thicker, and when it gets hot, it thins. The viscosity index is a measure of the change in oil viscosity between 100 °F and 210 °F. Oil with a high viscosity index has a lower change in viscosity than one with a low viscosity index. Group I and II mineral oils have a viscosity index below 120 and need viscosity improvers to raise their viscosity to usable levels. Synthetic oils have viscosity indexes approaching 180 that are often achieved without the use of additives."

Full description of synthetics here: Why synthetic motor oil? Synthetic Oil vs. Mineral Oil

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #9 –
My M11 Celect plus reading on the silver leaf (thank you Roger) runs around 208-212 on the flats, 215-218 is the highest I've seen so far on Shiraco summit i10 eastbound in Cali.
J.R.
99 U320 40' WTFE
Build # 5388

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #10 –
I don't think I've ever seen above 210.  For the most part even on the hottest days it sits right at 200.

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
I have the VMSpc yellow oil temperature light come on at 208° and red at 225°.  It very rarely gets over 208°.  Cummins told me the oil temp thermostat is set to 225° on my ISM 11.  It may be different on other engines.  225° was still OK.
I was just wondering about that Roger. I remember from my hot rod days that an oil temp of 225-230 is fine. But on the way home my VMspc goes red at 205F oil temp. But has never gone above 214 on a long pull with a toad. So I was a bit worried at first. Now i just keep an eye on it when climbing.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #12 –
Jerry, oil temp is going to vary from one engine to another.  It depends mostly on load.  On long uphill grades my ISM11 will get up to 208 maybe a bit more.    VMSpc has settings in the Advanced then Parameter Editor menus choice.  Scroll down to Oil Temperature.

Set the High Yellow to what you normally see as your highest temps minus a couple degrees. Set the High Red higher than that.  So for your engine maybe set High Yellow to 210 and High Red to 220.  The Yellow indicator is just a caution light.  You are getting towards the upper limits of what you normally see.  It might suggest to you that slowing down a bit, down shifting to increase cooling might be something to do.  If it gets to Red then it has exceeded what you consider to be normal for your engine.  Not quite a Stop Engine but something outside of your normal. 

VMSpc comes with what Silverleaf considers conservative set points for all of the different possible engines it might see.  Selecting a specific engine doesn't change any of them.  I have adjusted some for what owners have suggested is better for the engines in FTs but always stay conservative.  And all of those engines types are different and each engine is unique.  Make adjustment to these settings to fit your needs.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Jerry, oil temp is going to vary from one engine to another.  It depends mostly on load.  On long uphill grades my ISM11 will get up to 208 maybe a bit more.    VMSpc has settings in the Advanced then Parameter Editor menus choice.  Scroll down to Oil Temperature.

Set the High Yellow to what you normally see as your highest temps minus a couple degrees. Set the High Red higher than that.  So for your engine maybe set High Yellow to 210 and High Red to 220.  The Yellow indicator is just a caution light.  You are getting towards the upper limits of what you normally see.  It might suggest to you that slowing down a bit, down shifting to increase cooling might be something to do.  If it gets to Red then it has exceeded what you consider to be normal for your engine.  Not quite a Stop Engine but something outside of your normal. 

VMSpc comes with what Silverleaf considers conservative set points for all of the different possible engines it might see.  Selecting a specific engine doesn't change any of them.  I have adjusted some for what owners have suggested is better for the engines in FTs but always stay conservative.  And all of those engines types are different and each engine is unique.  Make adjustment to these settings to fit your needs.

Down shifting and revving a bit before the revs get too low is exactly what I do.

Going from green directly to red at such a low temp had me scratching my head as I recalled "oil industry standards" for safe oil temps. And then the search window brought me to your post.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #15 –
Sounds to me like everyone is worrying about a non-issue but then shuts the engine down without a thought to heat soak and the resulting turbo damage.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Sounds to me like everyone is worrying about a non-issue but then shuts the engine down without a thought to heat soak and the resulting turbo damage.

Pierce
For me at least. It was the oil temp on the VMSpc going red. And given the history with my coach. The first thought when I saw the red oil temp was "please! Not another huge issue" Then I saw 205F and thought, That's kind of low for a red warning.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #17 –
The manufacturers have done an excellent job of setting the engines up so the oil temperature will be in range so as to give maximum life to engine components. All the internal clearances are at their designed parameters at these temperatures. But sending units/sensors, wiring, electrical resistance are factors that frequently change indicated values you see from actual temperatures/pressures/voltage/etc. It can be disconcerting to see warnings and no one wants to damage a very expensive engine. So, good to check and ask questions if in any doubt at all.

But, one thing is certain, changing to synthetic oil just about eliminates any high engine oil temperature concerns and since it won't coke, no turbo damage will occur if the engine is shut down without a fast idle to lower oil temperatures. Perhaps one of the cheapest insurances you can buy. Now, if I only practiced what I preach on our coach. :D

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Engine Oil Temperature

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Now, if I only practiced what I preach on our coach. :D

Pierce


That's a common aliment Pierce. So you're definitely not alone.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr