Oil Temp gauge purpose?`

On a dry sump engine, it's nice to know the temperature of the oil in the tank. The temperature of the oil can be far in excess of the temperature of the coolant and still be within its normal range. But if your coolant temp is 190 degrees and your oil temp shows 275 degrees, you might want to be able to monitor what is happening. A volt meter won't do you much good in such a case.

 

Water Temp and Oil Temp is very different. If you are pushing a car hard, oil temp and pressure is very important. The first shouldn't be too high and the second shouldn't be too low.

Water is keeping the block cool, but the oil keeps the metal reciprocating mass lubricated so it can keep turning. The temp and pressure is necessary to know because, if the pressure drops then oil isn't going where its supposed. And the higher the oil temp the less it is capable of lubricating the bearings and crank. Overheated low pressure oil is the ideal recipe for seized bearings.

Oil temp is not completely dependent on the water temp. It gets cooled separately in high output engines. And high rev motors need to have the oil temp and oil pressure monitoring system. Because they almost always have separate cooling system, and heat up very disproportionately to the water temp.

Voltmeters are important in track cars. Last thing you need is a failed battery in a race.

 

Oil temp takes longer to hit normal operating temp. On my 348 water is at "normal" within 2, 3 miles max, especially with a stop light. Oil won't hit normal temps for at least 7-10 miles.

You don't want to start hitting the high rpm's until your oil is warmed up.

Kai

 

i have never looked at my oil temp indicator! i agree, it seems like an unimportant feature in my dd (cayenne)

 

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