Oil Temp Dipstick

[Bob_Roller]

I tried something similar with a remote temp sensor/voltage monitor from Radio Shack, it worked great, until hot weather, then the LCD 'washed out' in air temps of 100 F. or above

[professorfate]

We'll see how it holds up this summer.  Mainly I want to see how well the oil cooler will keep temps down.
Jerry

[Bob_Roller]

Using the Luftmeister dipstick indications, I saw a 50-75 F. temperature decrease after installing the BMW oilcooler kit.

After having installed the OEM kit, if I were to attempt the installation today, I wouldn't use the OEM kit, but make up something myself with aftermarket heat exchangers and lines.

The OEM kit was a little over $300 in 1997, and the most expensive part ($150), the thermostatic bypass valve won't work on the R65, there isn't enough clearance with the right header pipe.

[MrRiden]

I've run a homemade cooler on my Britt Iron, made of a power steering cooler from an American land yacht. I'd try one on the BMW but for the lack of a proper cover and thermostat set-up I've not tried it. any suggestion for a thermostat on an R65LS?
rich

[Bob_Roller]

Rich,

I've been running a cooler without a thermostat valve for almost 11 years now, no problems.

The cold oil has enough resistence to prevent any meaningful flow until it gets hot.

On my drive to work, the cooler is barely warm to the touch when I get there and shut it down.

You can always block the airflow through the cooler during 'cold' weather here in Phoenix, if it makes you feel better.

You can get an oil filter cover from a mid to late '90's R100, it has the threaded holes for a banjo bolt, and no temp valve, cost is about $35-40.

BMW part number : 11421338511.

I was way off on that price, current cost is around $71, it's doubled in cost in 11 years !

[Justin B.]

I would love to examine one, or see a detailed print of one to see if a simple "non-bypass oil-cooler adapter" could be fabricated

[Bob_Roller]

Justin,

It's not a real complicated part, I assume that you have the thermostatic valve on your R100RT.

If you cut the valve housing at the flange for the attachment bolts so it is flat , there is a raised area going vertical about .5 inches high about .75 inches wide and about 1.25 inches long, with two threaded holes for the banjo bolts and oil hoses.  

[tagordon]

Bob
You said you saw a 50 - 75 F decrease.
Curious as to what it was before.
Did a little research before I removed my oil cooler & found info giving the optimal temp as 220 - 240 F.
I am as concerned about the oil being too cold. as it being too hot.
Can't remember the temp change it takes to change the viscosisty the 5 digits we see on the label.
But what I got from my reading was, best protection is to get the oil to optimal & keep it there.
Otherwise change every 1000 -1500 miles to ensure the oil preforms as stated.
Its the volatility of the oil that is most affected by the temps.
That the good stuff evaporates/burns off & the oil doesn't protect as before.

Troy

[Bob_Roller]

I was seeing indicated temperatures of around 320-330 F. at highway speeds of 75 mphin air temps of 105 F. (b average temps around here during the 'hot season')

I thought it was caused by an inaccurate indicator, but I checked out the accuracy with some test equipment at work, and found the indications within 5-10 degrees of the test equipment.

That's when I decided to install the cooler kit.

Oil temps now average about 260-275 F. in same riding conditions as before.

When the engine is running, I think the only oil that gets on the dipstick is splash, not oil sitting in the sump.

After I shut the bike down in the garage with no airflow over it, and air temp of 105 F., I can see a noticeable drop in oil temp ( 20 F.) within 5 minutes, so I'm not so sure how realistic an indication I'm getting when the engine is running.

So I'm thinking that the oil temp is around the 240 F. area in the sump.

This desert heat can be real tough on oil, that's one of the reasons I tried Mobil 1 motorcycle oil, for higher temp resistance, but the rear main seal didn't like the full synthetic, so I went back to Spectro Golgen 20w50, but the last time I bought it, it was over $10 a quart, so now the R65 gets BMW 20w50 BMW semi-synthetic oil made by Spectro.

[MrRiden]

I would love to examine one, or see a detailed print of one to see if a simple "non-bypass oil-cooler adapter" could be fabricated

Justin, if you ever figure a way to fab one up inexpensively sign me up for one!