Oil Overheat

theboydiddy

i just recently hit 1200 miles on my 2012 sport package Z. is my first Z also my first MT car.
last sunday i drove the entire day, literally a whole gas tank plus another half was driven. i also was pushing the hell out of the car. i noticed my oil gauged was above 220F. i read that that oil temperature should be around 180-200F.

i would like to know if is normal for the oil temperature to be above 220F.
what can happen to the car if oil is overheating?

Trips

Yes if ambient temp is warm or If you're going to be driving it spiritedly

270-280? is when you should get concerned at which Limp mode will kick in

Most opt for an oil cooler to keep under 220 driving it spiritedly.

Use the search function, And you'll find plenty of info on this Subject has been discussed many times already.

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theboydiddy

what is "limp mode"?
yeah i am shopping for a not so expensive and reliable oil cooler.
neeeh, i don't wanna do a research on it. i wanna ask my own questions and get my own answers. but thanx for the advice. i honestly appreciate it.

Trips

The rpm's are limited to 5,500rpm?

Once the Oil temp has dropped it will de-activate the Limp mode

It's a way to protect the engine. Most won't see this without really pushing the Car.

I've adjusted the activation temps in my prior post.

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onzedge

Mr. BoyDiddy -- as a precaution you you check your oil level also. Check it after the engine has been off for at least 1/2 hour and the car is on level ground. It should read betwee the L and H marks -- close to the H.
.
Also, 220 degrees is not a problem.

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mhcoss

I hit 220 for the first time today. I had to redline it numerous times before that happened though

theboydiddy

i know i don't have no oil problems. I've checked my oil a few times. i did it today as well, just to make sure and the oil reads btw L and H. i haven't driven the car all day today, since yesterday 4pm actually.
the day my oil reader was above 220F i was driving the entire day literally. speeding almost the whole day as well. i turned off the car for maybe 4-6 hours only but the rest of the day hours i was driving and driving it.
when i do my daily drives from home to work and school it never goes over 220F, doesn't even reaches 200F.
so im wondering if thats normal to be extremely hot since i drove it a lot.
also what can be caused by oil overheating.

chrischhorn

The car just runs hot on oil.....plain and simple. I take 3 runs down the dragstrip and my car is @ 220 or higher. People that don't have a new 2012+ with an oil cooler will be @ 220+ after the first run. Nothing you can do other then get a new oil cooler with more rows. Its been a known problem for the car since the car was released.

onzedge

Combustion, friction and external temperature all drive oil temperatures. The 370Z runs hot. An oil cooler helps a great deal, but if you drive your car normally, there should not be a problem.

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theboydiddy

i do have the 2012. and i am looking for an oil cooler. this crap so expensive. do i need more rows the 16 to help it to keep it cool?

chrischhorn

What are your goals and what kind of driving do you plan to do? Just drag strip? AutoX? Or just spirited driving on the streets?

theboydiddy

I don't plan on going crazy. Exhaust. Intake. Spacers. Rims. Coilovers.
It is my daily driver car so I don't od with it, however some days I'm feeling real good and I speed, some days I just wanna spend time with my Z so I drive a lot. Be out with the boys. MAYBE just MAYBE I may get it tuned and do more with it.
But no I don't be speeding everyday I don't bring it to the track.
But I wanna make sure everything is cool with my car so I don't mess it up the days that I be speeding and driving all day

PapoZalsa

I thought the 2012s came with an oil cooler.

Limp mode= which means that the engine won't rev beyond a pre-programmed speed, you can't accelerate very fast, or you may indeed be speed-restricted to 40 mph or similar.

BTW, you say that this is your first MT, that might be one of the reason of oil overheating. Driving in low gears will be a factor.

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theboydiddy

thank you bro.
no i definitely don't drive in low gears. i know how to switch them and i usually switch them every 2500-3000 rpm. but on that day specifically i was switching them around 5000-6000 rpm

chrischhorn

A 25 row oil cooler should be more then enough for what you've stated so far and what seems to be your driving habits. IF you want to be safe since you still seem a bit unsure for future plans, get a 34 row cooler now with thermostat sandwhich plate. The plate will make it so that your oil still reaches minimum oil temps needed to function right but doesnt open till it reaches a certain point where it needs cooling. Do the 34 row without the plate and your oil temps may not ever reach minimum oil temps causing it to not reach the correct viscosity and protecting and lubricating the motor as it should.

P.S. The '12s do come with an oil cooler........its just a tiny little sandwhich plate that runs the coolant past the filter to help cool oil but its still no where near enough for anything extra. It'll get you through normal daily driving and very minor spirited driving. Extended periods of spirited driving and it still overheats. Just takes a little longer. I know........i have a '12 too lol and yes diddy, you can run the oem cooler with an aftermarket!