Anyone install an oil cooler to extend their motor life? I know the 2k MAX VQ30 is a great engine, but it's always nice to have some insurance?Also, is the stillen oil cooler the only one for sale?

 

Unless you're pulling a 3000 lb trailer in the desert, I would say no. If your cooling system is up to snuff, oil temp will closely follow suit. Air cooled engines recommended and some of the 4X4 Chevs and Astro Vans have them as well but are meant for heavy duty applications anyhow. Unless you're drag racing in extreme heat everyday you don't need one. Also todays high tech oils can take the heat much better than years ago, and offer better protection. I have an oil cooler on a vintage Honda 750 bike to keep it cool on hot days but on your car...nahhhh!
Mark

 

Thanks for the reply. Now I can use the money on a new Y PIPE.

 

Yeah I'd stick to synthetic and not worry about it at all. I've changed my oil after the car had been at operating temp for an extended perior and had oil spill on my hand. It only mildly hurts and is tolerable, so an oil cooler isn't going to bring the temp of our oil down all that much I wouldn't think.

 

actually it's the other way around... if you don't NEED it (no boost, don't auto-x, don't pull a trailer, etc) then an oil cooler can INCREASE the chances of damaging your car.

only get an oil cooler if you do something that makes you need one, otherwise it's

 

Ya oil temps need to be fairly high to flow right and all. A tranny cooler could be more beneficial, not oil cooler though

 

anyone know what the stock oil temparature is? I heard it was around 240F.... A good oil cooler will have a thermostat so that the oil gets up to temp before allowing the oil to flow into the cooler - like your radiator.

180 - 190 F is the temp that I've heard is a good range.

I'm also thinking that 180 - 190 F is hot enough to 'flow' properly.

All in all, I still think an oil cooler is beneficial. If you use steel braided lines, and a good quality radiator, I doubt you're going to have anything to worry about...

 

The only one I would consider using on the maxima is one with a thermostat on it.

 

..

 

oops, sry HNDA ETR, I would have just your but it wasnt there when I was replying (had multiple windows open).

 

The average life of the VQ30DE motor is like...... uhmmm...... 300k miles? With oil cooler, maybe you can squeeze out another 50k? Not worth the money and trouble, IMO.


~limsandy

 

but if you're exposing your engine to extremes, like SC/Turbo/etc... it's just another preventative measure I'd say...

 

"I heard" "I think" .... neither is going to help much. Research, that's the key. If you're going to ask people, make sure you ask the right people.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread...hreadid=137992&

180-190 degrees is not hot enough, and it's not about "flow" it's about burning off impurities. 190F is not hot enough to do that.

If you are not doing something that requires an oil cooler (boost, towing, etc) then you do not need one, and if used improperly it can do more harm than good.

 

How about instead of criticizing people down for TRYING to help, you inform them? Isn't that one of the things the org is for, to HELP, not to criticize?

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread...hreadid=137992&
Thanks, but the link doesn't work.

In RESEARCHING this further, it seems more and more that you are incorrect. I have not read one thing stating that 180-190 degrees isn't hot enough, in fact all state that the optimum operating temperature for engine oil is anywhere between 180 and 210 degrees.
sources:
http://www.elephantracing.com/techto...emperature.htm
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/44618/
http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page02.html
http://cool-collar.com/what.htm
http://brickboard.com/ARCHIVES/1998JUN/20004378.shtml
http://www.good-win-racing.com/goodwinracing_023.htm
http://www.gmfleet.com/us/about/news...es/042203.html
http://www.callbb.com/bbcool.htm
you get the picture...

in fact, testing of motor oil is done between the range of 104 - 212F degrees.
http://www.bestsynthetic.com/techprops.html
http://www.oil4kids.com/xlf.html

You're forgetting that in daily driving, the temperature goes up and down based on airflow. If you're sitting in stop and go traffic, the engine's going to run hotter. If you're on the freeway cruisin', the engine will be cooler.

Bottom line, as long as you use a thermostat with the oil cooler, so it doesn't cool the oil down too much, an oil cooler is beneficial - especially during that stop and go traffic.

 

sorry for the bad link

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....readid=137992&

my "I think" "I heard" comment means stop asking the guys you hang out with and RESEARCH. I'm constantly amazed at how people will take hours and hours posting here but won't go to google and take 15 minutes to look stuff up.

You looked up your info. The link above is just part of mine info. Decide for yourself.

And congrats on researching but don't let this point escape you... every link you provided is also selling an oil cooler.

 

But isn't this one of the reasons for hanging out here on the org? To gain knowledge from others who've gained it themselves through firsthand experience, knowledge, etc? Also to get others' opinions and viewpoints?

True, but reading through the posts does show some info, but a lot of posturing - no one said "This here document says this..." (my hillbilly speak) to back their points.

Thanks! I do try to research the things that I'm looking into, I was just posting my opinion to Cyclecrazy55's question. Actually, I've taken almost 2 weeks so far in researching the Greddy E-Manage system... not just here, but every other auto forum out there, it seems... not a whole lot of info though..

I agree, the links are from retailers, but not all retailers of oil coolers, I believe a couple are from oil manufacturers... Amsoil for one... but yeah, I'd take retailer's info with a grain of salt...

Thanks for clearing up your point... too many on the org flame just to flame and not to help...

 

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/239608/8

this is the oil cooler that I use: Serck speed cooler, mocal thermostat sandwichplate adapter, Aeroquip hose and fittings, etc. etc.

If you are worried about cold start during winter time, you can try to use a thermostat to warm up your oil a bit faster. B&M and mocal make them...but only mocal has it in both the sandwich plate adapter and inline thermostat.

 

oil gets thiner at high temperature.

oil pressure is low at low temperature.


a good working oil cooler with thermostat should get your oil temp somewhere in between.

 

Do you know the part number for your sandwich adapter?

 

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/mocal.htm

sp1ft, 20mm thread size.

 

Thanks!