OK, I know its fall and Winter is coming soon but this question has come up... I have an 04 FLHTCI and I have been running a Oil Temp quage in place of the Air Temp now for some time.. At first I used to watch it but now - its just there -- can not remember but most of the time its in the low 200 range on a warm day??? but I would NOT swear to that...

Any, I have put on the vented lowers and did do a search.... its a split on weather the vented helps/hurts or no difference in engine heating

So, what is too hot for the engine oil????????????

for those of you that are running lowers and have the Oil Temp and Watch it,,,, what has your max temp been during the summer???

No, I am Not running a oil cooler

 

On my SG the vented lowers run a bit cooler while moving, but I've seen no difference in traffic. HD claims they aid in cooling at speed but while stopped can trap hot air and perhaps cause the bike to run hotter. I haven't seen any increase in oil temps in two summers of riding in S. LA.

I am unhappy when oil temps hit 230°, which mine has done a few times, but only in heavy summer traffic. While moving it stays at or below 200°, although the oil cooler helps greatly to keep temps under control. I firmly believe that every TC engine should be equipped with an oil cooler, but can't say how lowers affect oil temps without a cooler.

 

I don't know about an 04 but 07 and later should run about 230 according to the manual. The dealership will probably tell you "anything under 300 is fine" but that's too hot for my liking. An old gearhead once told me ideally, it should run between 180 and 220. With lower farings it will probably run a few degrees hotter but I don't think it will make a HUGE difference. Remember, keep it lubed and keep it moving and you'll be fine.

 

Thanks for the info and advice..

 

Thanks.

 

230 on warm days is pretty normal. Have been at 270-280 in traffic or >100deg days. Start to be concerned when gauge gets to 300 and only hit that during the 105th parade

 

Was told by a Harley shop, if your running synthetics its over 300 degrees. The hottest mine has ever been was 270 after a long run around 80 mph in the summer heat. I live in Mobile. On the 09's the heat management system, I think, activates around 279.

 

The manual says 230° is the "normal" oil temp, not optimal or ideal. The way these bikes are tuned to comply with emissions regs I don't doubt that 230° is indeed "normal" for a stock bike with no oil cooler.

I would agree with the "old gearhead." This is hot enough to evaporate contaminants quickly yet without speeding up the oxidation process that is a result of increased heat.

 

EITMS kicks in at around 280-290° (depending on year-model) as measured on the front head, not the temperature of the oil.

 

during the heat of summer mine will run around 230°
max has been around 260°

I've always thought that it needs to get at least over boiling temp to cook off the moisture.