I am using penzoil straight 30 wt and am reaching 240*.I am checking with an infared handheld on the pan and filter body.It seems pretty consistant but I havn't done any hard runs as the motor is still new.

240 is fine..... when it reaches over 300... worry... I had an air cooled motorcycle.. it's oil would run at 350 all the time... that's great if you want to deep fry chicken.. but the oil breaks down too quickly. As the motor breaks in... you will probably see temps drop. As long as your oil reaches 212... then the water from condensation and blowby is vaporized.

200-220 is your perfect temp for reasons stated above. However, I'm a little more conservative for a petroleum based oil for a high temp concern.

running 240 on a hard run would be ok as long as it isn't for a long time. If your saying you're running 240 while cruising you need a bigger cooler.

In my opinion 200-220 cruise, up to 260 on a hard run and anything over 270 is too hot.

DAVE

Hi Dave..havent seen ya in a while

Re oil
Depends on were you take the temp. I took mine from the pan. Some take it after the cooler, some both.
Mine would be 200-220 at cruise, 280-300 after a hard run.
Thats with Royal purple 41 oil and 3" Imco oil cooler w/stat and 80* seawater. Lots of factors to consider.
Engine Water temp was a constant 140-150*

Dan

Hey Dan. I've just been lurking. Anything I have to say has usually been said already Lots of good, knowledgeable guys around these days.

I do agree with what you said about point of temp. The oil will always have a higher reading in the pan. My opinion is to take it after the cooler before it goes back in and hits the bearings. That's what counts. Oil looses/gains viscocity according to temp. To be assured of proper viscocity for your bearing clearance, you need proper temp.

DAVE

I took out main bearings in one engine last year getting to 280-290F with dino oil. After rebuild I kept it below 270F with synthetic and made out ok. My concern is the way you are measuring oil temp. The IR gun is reading surface temp of what you are shooting. This surface is being convectively cooled by the air around it. These readings are significantly lower than what the oil is actually running. Thererfore, I think you should install a thermocouple and gage asap and run easy until then. I mount mine in the remote oil filter pad. If you are running at 240F after a hard run you are in great shape.

BT

Man, we've seen this thread/topic a bunch of times haven't we!!!

My boat runs about 215 @ cruise, 235 running hard.

12 qt. Eickert pans, Eickert thermostatically controlled oil systems and big coolers

Craig223
I run the with KE Oil thermo/filter on HP500. My temps are 225 & max out at 260./3x14 oil cooler 70degree water. I was concerned that my temps were a little high, KE says my temps are spot on & could even go higher without concern. Called Caltherm(maker of actual therm. used inside KE unit) begins opening at 212 & full open at 225)was told my temps were good. Do you have the original T-stat in your KE unit. Most KE units run around 230/260. Still not happy called Amsoil. Amsoil told me synthetic is extremely durable and 260, even at 300 a full synthetic will handle the excessive heat. I guess anywhere between 220-280 is good. I'm just paranoid as I have zero luck with motors staying together.
John

It is my understanding that the oil unit that I have can use a 195 or a 215 thermostat. Mine has the 195 degree one. I've only had the boat since last Sept. and ran it about a dozen times before winterizing. The hardest that I ran the boat (for an extended period) was at about 4500 rpm's for a good 1/2 hour and the oil never went over 235. when just cruising @3500 it stays between 215-220. Maybe its because I have 12 qt. pans?

Craig,
Yeah, maybe I should switch to the lower T-stat, I would also feel better. I upgraded to 10 quart oil pan as well. Oil changes are not cheap. Thanks for the input
John