Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Got a turbo TB42 on gas and took it on Bribe Island today(fully sick 4 wheel drifting) and the oil temp got up to 120 odd degrees, is this dangerously hot or not. When does oil break down and degrade.Have a oil cooler but might not be big enough for beach action as it usually sits at 100 deg on highway.

turbmav wrote:Got a turbo TB42 on gas and took it on Bribe Island today(fully sick 4 wheel drifting) and the oil temp got up to 120 odd degrees, is this dangerously hot or not. When does oil break down and degrade.Have a oil cooler but might not be big enough for beach action as it usually sits at 100 deg on highway.

Decent oil will work OK above 120 degrees. Track cars will see 130 degrees regularly. Only issue would be oil weight. Probably good to use something towards the upper end of the recommended viscosity range, rather than the lower end.

Oil is Penrite 20-50 gas stuff, so it is on the uper side of oil break down area yeh?

my track car never sees 130deg. 120 is generally regarded as the absolute limit amongst racers. You want a high quality full synthetic if you are hitting those temps.

If that Penrite 20-50 Gas is not a fully synthetic, I would be changing it.

Fair enough.

I checked back over some figures. It was only one bloke who sees 130+ on the track quite regularly, and my brother's LS2 hits 130 when he pushes it (on the road), but you're right - a quick google shows lots of people saying 120 Deg C / 250 Deg F as the maximum desirable. Above that, do something about it.

Sounds like you need a bigger oil cooler,
Yay more new toys!

Great! just what I need, more radiator's and coils stuffed in the front grill. Might just stick it on the bonnet next to my pod. Just kidding.

I know what you mean about the lack of space.
I have to fit a powersteer cooler and oil cooler in too, but the big fat front mount intercooler is taking up the best real estate. Might have to put an airscoop/fan arrangement and stuff it in somewhere else

Maybe the on top of the bonnet is not a bad idea!!

Been talking to a few guys about this and they said if the coolant is over 100 degs the oil temp wouldn't be any different. Makes sense I thought.

I would be less concerned about the stability of the oil and more concerned about the effect of high temperature on the seals in the transmission.
Max temp for oil seals vary depending on material type but is likely to be 120degC (Nitrile / Buna-N).
Short temperature spikes shouldn't be too problematic but extended periods of 120degC+ temperatures could lead to seal failure.

I'd upgrade the oil cooler.

Are you sure of the calibration of your oil temp gauge? Temps of that order would scare me to death. What does the temp gauge show when you leave the vehicle overnight ie when the oil is at ambient temperature?

Oil gauge reads 50c to 150c it sits below 50 on start up for about 5-10mins it seems accuate. Smithie, the engine is starting to leak a bit more oil now. I dont know if it's from heat or age as the motor was sitting for a while unused. Has anyone got a oil temp gauge on a standard TB42?