Another Vegas Run and Oil Temps scared me

TamZ

Nissan does my oil changes.. Whatever they used is what I have.. it sure wasn't cheap to get it changed, I know that!

I appreciate all the responses!

__________________
Tammy

Trips

a double double? lol

__________________

TamZ

I tried to do a Ninja edit. Damn..lol

__________________
Tammy

TamZ

Nissan does my oil changes.. Whatever they used is what I have.. it sure wasn't cheap to get it changed, I know that!

I appreciate all the responses!

__________________
Tammy

XwChriswX

I'll be doing a trip to Vegas prolly Friday, so I'll keep an eye on my temps and see what I get TamZ. I'm 7AT as well, so we'll see if its a common issue, or a localized problem.

__________________

Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

shadow2k

Is it scary? Well...yes and no. I mean, I wouldn't be worried that the engine is going to blow up. However, I'd look into ways to keep it from occuring in the future. An oil cooler would be #1 on my to do list if my car ever hit 260. Mine has never reached 230, and I drive in 110 humid summers here in KC. Even when I drive like an ***, the highest I've managed is 228.

Ideal oil temps are around 200-210. If someone cares to argue this point, feel free, but I don't really care. As a ballpark range, I'm fine with it. Many fine cars generally run hotter than this, especially newer cars that are more worried about fuel economy than engine longevity...but most cars don't have oil temp guages. Ignorance is bliss.

At 260, your oil is basically oxidizing four times faster than it would at 220. This means that your shiny bits are not being protected as they deserve to be. That doesn't mean catastrophic failure is imminent. It means it is shortening the life of your engine. The oil is breaking down faster, and the shiny bits are grinding over each other instead of slipping over the oil. Sludge deposits form, and the shiny bits can also rust...so I wouldn't be able to call them shiny bits anymore.

I'd also find out what oil the dealer is putting in your engine. If you like your car enough to post in here so much, than you obviously care about your car. You should find out exactly what you're letting strangers pour into her heart. I use Pennzoil Platinum, it is a synthetic with no ester. Many in here use Redline, and ester synthetic. Nissan recommends their own ester oil, but it is not synthetic, and there's a good chance your dealer did not use it because it is not required, only recommended. My guess is they put in whatever is most profitable for them. Good for them, not so much for you and your car. I'm sure they put in a reasonable oil, but I'm 100% positive there are better options than whatever they did put in her.

WarmAndSCSI

Bearing surfaces are made from an alloy of copper, tin, and lead (typically) or aluminum and silicon for modern Japanese engines like ours. None of these alloys can rust - they are non-ferrous. Our crankshafts are forged from high-grade stainless steel and do not readily rust unless left for the elements.

The only oil-lubricated component that can effectively rust in our engines are the 2nd compression rings, which are probably made from ductile cast iron. That will never happen, though, because the piston ring interfaces with the cast iron cylinder liners (which can also technically rust, but never do because of the wall-to-piston-ring interaction).

I think you're confusing oil oxidation at high temperatures with metal oxidation...

Sludge usually occurs due to water or other contaminants built up in the oil - it forms at low temperatures, not high. It's varnish that forms at high oil temperatures, and that can usually be witnessed by simply popping a valve cover and looking inside the cylinder head. Pretty apparent, and it should never be seen on an engine that has had regular oil changes with a good quality conventional (Castrol GTX comes to mind) or synthetic.

__________________

Lug

But that was the original point of this thread. The OP was worried about a breakdown, not engine wear. My take is Nissan should actually require a good synthetic much like they require 91 octane or better. As far as what temp oil breaks down, that varies widely. There are plenty of oils that are good way up the temp range, they just tend to cost more.

__________________
keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

cfleming2226

I live in AZ and I regularly see my temps getting into the 240+ range, it’s been in 110 -115 degree range daily (dont worry it cools to a brisk 95 at night) and it does not take much to get that temp up. I have been told by a few Nissan tec's and many people here, the high temps are to be expected. I am planning for an oil cooler sooner than later but I think if there was no Oil Temp gauge most would never see/realize there is any issue at all.

Many here say that you only need an oil cooler if you are tracking the car, I believe you only need an oil cooler if you are tracking the car ... or live in the armpit of hell which is Arizona.

Thats my two cents.

TamZ

I appreciate everyone's responses!

Admittedly, I am pretty unfamiliar with the inner workings of the engine of my car. As much as I do love my car, I haven't bothered to learn very much about what makes it run like the powerful machine that it is That is why I was excited to find this site over a year ago and get to know you fine people

All of what I've read here on this thread is very interesting and once I can get the car into Nissan this week, I plan on asking some questions. Since I'm pretty sure I will be talking to the same guy I talked to on the phone, I'm not sure I'll receive any more answers than I already did from them over the phone when I was stopped on the side of the road but maybe when I'm there in person, I can explain things better or maybe a mechanic will be available who actually knows the car. He told me over the phone, he was not familiar with my car.

I think more than anything, I was just concerned, with those temps, that if I continued to drive, I may break down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Most definitely, driving her in 121 degree temps will NOT be the norm for me. Whenever we make most of our Vegas or Laughlin (river) trips, we are in my husbands truck. So I'm not even 100% convinced I'll get an oil cooler YET. I am, though, a bit bummed knowing that I will forever not be sure I can "trust" my car, if I find myself in the middle of the desert again for some reason! But: <3 Still love my car <3

I wonder if, when they change my oil, they can tell me the "condition" of the oil. Will it be/look different if it's been 'broken down' or whatever, from the heat.

Truly, the only oil I was familiar with is baby oil, which I used to use in the 80's to fry myself with in the sun, in search of that perfect tan. I know better now

Thanks everyone!

__________________
Tammy

NYBladeZ

I didn't read the whole thread but high oil temps will be an ongoing issue. Since you're in NV it would probably be best to get a big oil cooler, that way you're covered for a track day and regular driving, you won't have overcooling because of NV weather. I saw as high as 250 when I got on it for periods of less than 10 min now with the cooler I have not cracked 205.

__________________
2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

shadow2k

TamZ, your car will go into limp mode at 280 I believe it is, it will not simply break down. It will just not let you rev your engine past a certain point (3,500rpm I think?). If the oil continues to rise in temp, there is a second limp mode which is even more restrictive. Either one will allow you to continue to drive it. However, I'd be freaked out if my car went into limp mode, but that mode is there for the purpose of making sure you don't break down.

You can get an oil analysis done by Blackstone Labs. I believe it is $22 to do so. They ship you a kit for free, you collect a sample of the oil when you change it out and ship it back. You pay them to have the analysis done, and then give you a sheet with numbers that will mean nothing to you. They also include comments, like "hey, your oil has been sheared and has no viscosity left, likely due to extreme temps!"...or "stop worrying, your oil could have gone another 3,000 miles!"

Zeester

You know, ive been concerned with my oil temps this summer too. Ive had the car for only 9 months now, so when I had it i never saw the temps climb past 220 give or take a few (because it was mostly cooler weather), but now that summers here, ive been regularly hitting 240-250 on my way home from work and its beginning to concern me.

What is the breakdown temp for RedLine motor oil ?

I know i need to invest in an oil cooler soon, but im glad that ive been using RedLine for the last 4 oil changes... at least it gives me some peace of mind knowing its a better quality oil.

TamZ

I drove my Z yesterday for a little trip to Camarillo and I watched the temp gauge. It was 75 degrees ambient temp outside and oil temp stayed around 190. That seems the normal range for my car, considering I don't really drive it very hard.

I haven't been able to get it into Nissan yet this week as my little son had a hernia surgery repair yesterday. If I don't get the oil changed this week, I will get it done first thing next week and see what they have to say about my oil temps on my trip.

__________________
Tammy