what is the maximum recommended oil temperature for a zetec, im running 5-30 fully sythetic oil without a oil cooler, but on a recent track day was running 120degC which seems high but have heard zetec like higher temperatures.
thinking of fitting a oil cooller matrix or try a water/oil cooler base which fits before filter as

What did your water temps get upto?

The only reason i ask is that vdub corrado (i know its not the same) had a water oil cooler and the oil was 10deg warmer than the water all the time(had a dig gauge on the dash for oil temp), i would reg get 110 deg water temp and the oil would sit at 120 and so if your hitting those sort of water temps that type of cooler will give you oil temps as above (ish)

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Originally posted by tomgregory2000
What did your water temps get upto?

The only reason i ask is that vdub corrado (i know its not the same) had a water oil cooler and the oil was 10deg warmer than the water all the time(had a dig gauge on the dash for oil temp), i would reg get 110 deg water temp and the oil would sit at 120 and so if your hitting those sort of water temps that type of cooler will give you oil temps as above (ish)

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120c isn't that high but oil-water heat exchangers are a good idea not only because they cool the oil but because they get the oil up to working temperature faster.
Generally aim for oil temp 5 to 15c higher than the water temp.

Modern engines are to be designed to run at water temps roughly 90 to 105c controlled by the thermostat and fans.

An oil thermostat is pretty essential with a air-oil cooler, as cold oil kills engines a lot faster than hot oil,


[Edited on 24/2/11 by britishtrident]