Oil Cooler Thermostat - Necessary???

[badluckM3]

There have been discussions before about using an oil thermostat with an oil cooler setup. The overall opinion seems to have a tstat for a street car, none for a track car. And the underlying reason is that you want to keep the oil from circulating through the cooler until the oil has reach an operating temp of 180*.

For you guys with an oil cooler, is the tstat necessary? Does it really take that long to heat up if it's just in constant circulation? Pros/Cons please...

Reason I ask again:

I was given a VPD oil cap and -10AN lines w/fittings in exchange for work I did on an Mcoupe. I also picked up an oil thermostat on the forum for a good price. Technically, all I need is an oil cooler, and I'm in business. Or if I want to use the tstat I need extra fittings to do so, slice up the lines, etc. If I don't need the tstat, it would be a little easier install.

[Def]

Yes.

Even with a t-stat there is some small flow and it takes quite a bit longer to get the oil up to temp than without an oil cooler.

[milKt]

Yes.

Even with a t-stat there is some small flow and it takes quite a bit longer to get the oil up to temp than without an oil cooler.

So,
Yes,
the t stat is necessary?

[SiGmA]

Yes you need a tstat. Heck it takes 15-20min to get the oil up to temp on a stock system, it would be really bad with a fully open cooler.

[Def]

So,
Yes,
the t stat is necessary?

Yes.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

I ran a VPD w/out a tstat on the street for years. I just kept an eye on oil temps and did not give the car any rpm or load until temps reached at least 160, and didn't cut loose til at 180. In the colder months I placed a sheet metal cover over my oil cooler to block all air flow (a 3 min. affair) - which allowed the car to reach/keep temp. In the winter, without the cover the oil would not get above 160 on the hwy - which is bad.

Is a tstat desirable? For sure, especially if you operate in colder weather.

The thing is this, you do not need an oil cooler for street use. So I would generally run it blocked/covered when on the street so the motor could reach temp most quickly. Then when I went to the track, I would just remove the cover and enjoy the benefits of the cooler.

I recently went with an S54 filter housing w/ built in tstat.

[badluckM3]

What are the negative effects of too low of oil temps?

[Def]

The thing is this, you do not need an oil cooler for street use.

Exactly.

My t-stat barely even opens on mine when I'm flogging it down a twisty back road, othertimes it's just dead weight.

It's a must on the track though, my oil temps dropped over 50 deg F with the cooler even with me pushing harder.

[milKt]

I recently went with an S54 filter housing w/ built in tstat.

Whatcha mean its "built in"?

[Shuasha]

Whatcha mean its "built in"?

Means what he says, it has a thermostat built in for the oil cooler. Do you think BMW would not use a thermostat?

[milKt]

Means what he says, it has a thermostat built in for the oil cooler. Do you think BMW would not use a thermostat?

I'm learning...constantly.

So the S54 oil filter housing has a thermostat inside it?
Is it serviceable in case of problem?

[SiGmA]

This is not definite, but the parts diagram doesn't show a replaceable tstat: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...08&hg=11&fg=30

[milKt]

So the S54 oil filter housing has a thermostat inside it?

+1

[Def]

I've never seen an OEM air to oil cooler that didn't have a thermostat somewhere in the loop.

[milKt]

somewhere

the ambiguity

I suppose I should search?

[SiGmA]

People say it has one, I assume it does from how reasonably quickly a s54's oil heats up.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

Search the track forum for pics of the t-stat.
Its clearly visible on the interior of the engine side of the filter housing. Not a servicable part because it does not fail.
Turner and others sell a t-stat delete kit to maximize flow for race motors.

[milKt]

Thanks

[badluckM3]

Guess I could have googled it a little better. Here's decent explanation I was looking for.

• Automatically regulates oil temperature

• Provides quicker warm-ups to operating temperatures

• Prevents over-cooling in cold climates

Maintaining proper oil temperature is critical in today's sophisticated engines and automatic transmissions. Installation of an auxillary oil cooler helps keep the oil below the 200°F maximum temperature. However, installation of a remote oil thermostat, in addition to an oil cooler, will help warm the oil up to operating temperatures faster. That is a plus at start-up or on cold days when the oil is thick and takes longer to get into the oil galleys.

When oil temperature exceeds 180°F the thermostatic valve closes, allowing 95% flow through the oil cooler. At temperatures below 180°F the valve is open, with 90% of the oil bypassing the cooler. The remaining 10% of the oil flows through the cooler, maintaining constant system pressure, preventing air pockets and eliminating cold oil shock. Flows up to 20 gallons per minute (GPM).

More

Oil Cooler Thermostat helps your engine's oil come up to temperature quickly and holds it at the right temperature. Cold oil does not flow and does not lubricate correctly. Plus, moving cold oil robs power. This thermostat is designed to bypass the cooler until the oil reaches 215°. At 215° water condensation in the oil will evaporate and the oil will be warm enough to flow and lubricate properly..

[Def]

So you just wanted an explanation of how a thermostat works and what it does???

[badluckM3]

So you just wanted an explanation of how a thermostat works and what it does???

More along the lines of why oil temperature is so important, and if the oil is 160* as opposed to 180*, are there really any detrimental effects. Everybody, including yourself just says, "Yes you need one". Why? Other than allowing you to reach nominal operating temp quicker. Seems you'll eventually get to operating temp without a tstat, just might take longer. So what??? Is my engine suffering??? Just looking for more than "Yes".

I'm just searching for what ever other info is out there as to the benefit. So far, I've received none out of this thread. Do you have anything else to add along those lines? Just seems the oil will eventually heat up without the tstat, and the tstat is one more thing to possibly be faulty.

[B.Watts]

Seems you'll eventually get to operating temp without a tstat, just might take longer.

Not necessarily. We adjust the amount of airflow through our oil cooler using racers tape in order to determine what temperature our oil runs at. If we didn't tape off some of the opening, our car would run at 150-160 degrees on a cool day and never get up to temp, even in racing conditions.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

More along the lines of why oil temperature is so important, and if the oil is 160* as opposed to 180*, are there really any detrimental effects. Everybody, including yourself just says, "Yes you need one". Why? Other than allowing you to reach nominal operating temp quicker. Seems you'll eventually get to operating temp without a tstat, just might take longer. So what??? Is my engine suffering??? Just looking for more than "Yes".

I'm just searching for what ever other info is out there as to the benefit. So far, I've received none out of this thread. Do you have anything else to add along those lines? Just seems the oil will eventually heat up without the tstat, and the tstat is one more thing to possibly be faulty.

Oil is designed to lubricate best in a certain temp range and the internals also operate best at a certain temp range. This is why one is not supposed to jump in a cold car and proceed to ring its neck.
This is kinda common sense.
Some vehicles have oil temp-dependent tach lights and/or rev limiters designed to assist the owner in adhering to this common sense rule.
Most ECU's will richen the mixture until the car reaches operating temp.
Cold oil is more viscous and robs power.
Cold oil will retain more water.

In my experience, a car running the VPD cap in cold weather (50 degrees F and below) at highway speeds will never reach anything close to proper operating temp without a tstat or blocking the cooling element from all air flow. The thing works that well.

[Shuasha]

Not necessarily. We adjust the amount of airflow through our oil cooler using racers tape in order to determine what temperature our oil runs at. If we didn't tape off some of the opening, our car would run at 150-160 degrees on a cool day and never get up to temp, even in racing conditions.

Out of curiosity, how big of a cooler do you use? I just added what I could fit onto my car, but on a turbo car I would imagine bigger is better.

[milKt]