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Message started by NickGann on 07/12/14 at 20:28:42

Title: Oil Temperature?
Post by NickGann on 07/12/14 at 20:28:42

I have searched but can't find anything in the forums on this. Both the ability to check temperature(gauges and could include tips on perhaps some methods by hand if there are any and say a gauge fails or you just want a second opinion)

Planning some longer trips and wanting to be better acquainted with the nuances. Thanks!

Title: Re: Oil Temperature?
Post by verslagen1 on 07/12/14 at 21:41:33

when the hairs are burning off your legs it's too hot. :-?

but I use T6, your circumstances may differ. 8-)

Title: Re: Oil Temperature?
Post by NickGann on 07/12/14 at 21:48:45

No hair loss yet! Though I have a feeling after that verslavy gets my way and those long mileage days increase, I may end up slick as a seal.

Dar dar dar dar...(seems close to the sound they make) :o

Title: Re: Oil Temperature?
Post by verslagen1 on 07/12/14 at 21:58:30

you might get one of these for the front oil port...

http://www.trailtech.net/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/135x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/l/blackTTO_degf_15.jpg

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1361141824

Title: Re: Oil Temperature?
Post by WD on 07/13/14 at 07:49:21

When your nuts feel "soft boiled" the oil is too hot and you need to pull off and cool the engine down. About 19 miles lately in the Memphis area... It is too hot/humid right now to safely run an air cooled bike in Dixie, but I'm still using mine 5 days a week minimum. I no longer have any running cars or trucks, they are all broken (I despise efi and electronic ignition related components). Need to fix my points fired 69 or 49 Dodge trucks or my 72 VW Super Beetle and haul off the 1990s fuel infested junk heaps. Followed by purchasing a liquid cooled V twin.

Title: Re: Oil Temperature?
Post by Dave on 07/14/14 at 09:49:35

I have head temperature gauge on my Savage, it is part of the Trail Tech Vapor digital speedo I installed.

The head temperature is higher than the oil temperature - but it might give you and idea what conditions can make the bike the hottest. There are only a few times my bike has been approaching a 300 degree head temperature and makes me start to worry. I don't know that head temperature becomes critical...I only know what makes it get near to 300.

All of the "near 300" degree events have occurred when temperatures were up in the 90-95 mark. I don't really know if humidity has any effect on an air-cooled engine - but in this area it naturally gets humid when the temps are that hot.
1) Sustained interstate travel at 65 mph and above can make the head temperatures climb near 300.
2) Sitting in city traffic can make the temps climb.
3) Very slow first gear travel under throttle can make the temperatures climb.

The hottest my bike has ever been was on a steep gravel road climb at the Dragon Run last year, that required 1st gear to climb the hill and the speeds were so low that the air flow was not sufficient for cooling. I didn't feel the need to pull over and let the bike cool as technically it probably wasn't overheated - but it was the hottest I had ever seen the cylinder head temperature as it got up around 305 degrees f.

I believe you will not have any issues as long as you avoid going really fast of really slow when the air temperature is above 90. I have changed the gearing on my bike by adapting Kawasaki pulleys to reduce the engine rpm at interstate speeds - and my head temperature has dropped from 290 to 270 at 70 mph....and the bike is much more relaxed at highway speeds.

Dave

Title: Re: Oil Temperature?
Post by NickGann on 07/14/14 at 11:25:23

Thank you for that in=depth answer! I am thinking about riding the current belt setup until winter when riding everyday wont be on my mind as much and going with a chain/sprocket combo.

Title: Re: Oil Temperature?
Post by MnSpring on 07/14/14 at 14:49:37

On a Yam XT-225, I also installed the ‘Trail Tech Vapor digital speedo’,
for the primary purpose, of a accurate sped, the Tach, and oil temp.

Using the, ‘compression’ fitting, the top of the cyl head,
their were times it would hit 400. Real Hot days. :-/
(Yea, once in a while here, that actually happens) ;D
Now that got me, real nervous,
(As I have always believed that Oil, that got over 300, was toast)

So went to the junk yard, got a, car oil sender, pulled a, oil gauge,
and rigged it up. (checked it by using boiling water, it was right on)

Installed it in the, drain plug.
And when the, ‘compression ring’ sensor hit 400,
the car oil gauge said 275.
Most of the time it was between 230-240.

Made me fee a lot better. ;)

YMMV (As said hear often)

But I would suggest, measure the OIL temp, not the Spark plug.

Title: Re: Oil Temperature?
Post by Dave on 07/14/14 at 15:13:22

The difference in my 300 degree reading and your 400 degree reading - is that I installed the sensor on the head stud, and not under the spark plug. The Savage has limited room to get the spark plug in and out, and I didn't want to have to fuss with that every time I installed a spark plug.

I would guess the cylinder head/spark plug area reacts faster to changes in temperature, and the oil and crankcase take a longer period of time to react to changes in load.

Trailtech does offer a fitting that would allow you to install the temperature sensor in the front oil port.....or I suppose you could just install the spark plug sensor under the oil drain plug.