I have an 07 Streetglide today I installed the Harley oil cooler. Prior to the install my oil pressure was about 32, now it is a bit higher is this normal?
On my Dyna I did not experience this as that oil cooler was taped into the actual oil lines off of the oil pump. The Streetglide oil cooler is attached via an adapter that is installed on the oil filter plate and the oil filter is then attached to the adapter.


Thanks for you help.
Mark.

 

I noticed the same issue after installing my HD Prem OC on my RG. I have noticed that the pressure goes as high as 60 when the oil is cold. Would like to know if this is normal too.

 

Sounds like the cooler is restricting oil flow to the engine and that's a stupid design. As you know hd takes the pressure reading before the filter so even though the pressure relief is working, as well as the filter has a bypass, it's not doing it's job as the cooler is throwing a wrench into normal engine leakage at bearings. From the picture it looks like a full flow cooler when in fact it should be a bypass filter. Cold oil should bypass the cooler and as oil heats up the differential pressure will drop and allow hot oil to go through the cooler instead of around it. This way oil flow is maintained in the cold state. Think about it. That's the very reason filters have a bypass valve, and with this cooler it has cancelled it out, by adding blockage after it with the cooler. Sure it will work, but I'd not be beating on the engine until the oil has warmed up somewhat.
Ron

 

Thanks Ron.

The reason I bought this kit was due to the integrated thermostat. CUT and paste from the HD web page
"Kit features an adapter plate with integrated thermostat that allows oil lines to connect to the oil filter bracket. The thermostat activates at 185°F "
On my Dyna I do have an external thermostat just for the reason you stated.
I don't believe I have any blockages as I blew air through all the components before I installed them and there didn't seem to be any restrictions or odd sounds due to the air being blocked. But who knows.
I didn't get much of a reply to my question, so for now I'm going to hope all is well and go for a ride today and check it frequently for temperate and leaks.

Thanks for your time.
Mark.

 

Switchback,

Did you notice that the gasket had a lot of play in it? It didn't fit 100% in one spot you had the ability to have 1/4 play with it spinning it left and right, if that makes any sense. I played with it for a while to make sure that no matter how it seated it wouldn't block any oil flow.

Mark.

 

Mark,
I did overstate the peak pressure. I took it out this morning and the pressure peaks between 45 and 50 psi when the oil is cold (not 60). The oil gauge is very course. It retreats to between 32 and 40 psi after it warms up (around 2000-2500 rpm).

I did stress over the gasket a bit and I did wonder if it had slipped and may be causing some blockage. I'm more comfortable with it now and no longer thinking it may be causing blockage. Since after the oil warms up the pressure gets closer to normal.

Has anyone tried to buy another gasket. There is not Harley part number, at least on the documentation that came with it a year ago. I would like to find some stronger looking hoses too. The Buell's have sturdy looking hoses. Don't really want steal braid but that might be the only option. Don't like braid close to electrical wires.

 

Just looked at the picture and feel there's no way to screw up the install. However with the extra length of travel, housing, fittings there will be a natural unavoidable restriction compared to without the addapter. Since you are running a varitherm for temp contol, it(restriction) must be happening in the adapter itself. The slightest change in flow behaviour will show on the gauge as higher than normal. In reality you now have slightly less flow (cold)than without the cooler . When the oil is hot the effect of restriction will also be negligable, as with most oil filters too. Your hot oil pressure at 2k should be as it was before install, which will prove this point. As for the cold oil pressure after the install being higher, yes, due to the above explanation. Should be fine.
Ron

 

Does your oil pressure only return to normal at > 180 Deg (Thermo open) ?

Edited: Ron's remarks sound correct....

 

I agree the restriction is in the adapter. Jagg also makes an adapter that says it sends the oil through the filter first, then the heat exchanger. Has anyone had experience with the Jagg.

Landest,
Not sure of the mechanism causing the transition in pressure. There could be a correlation with the pressure lowering after temp >180 (implicating the thermostat) . It would be good to understand if anything is going on. All in all I'm ok with the cooler. Like rbabos suggested...I don't romp on it when its cold. I'm much more comfortable with it after talking to all you guys.
Ron

 

Thanks all for your help. Ron your second post seems to be on the money. A few minutes after a cold start it returns to normal, pre-cooler numbers of 32. When hot at idle it drops to about 5-8.
I did two trips today first was about 140 miles on a cold start. Kept stopping to check for leaks and verify that the hose and the cooler were hot to the touch. Second ride was 160 and I had the same results.
I do not have the means to measure actual temperature but I can state without a doubt that when I first come to a stop or in slow moving traffic the engine heat is not as bad as it was prior to the cooler.
I was already sold on their effectiveness as I have one on my Dyna as well.
Again thanks all.
Mark.