Oil Cooler

How many of you guys run an oil cooler?

I moved to Southern California, from Pennsylvania, about a year ago. There will be a few days out here when it's 110+ degrees. I'm running the standard 10W-40 oil- granted, it's Amsoil motorcycle oil; but I'm wondering how much better off I'd be with an oil cooler.

I know the stock KZ oil pump only puts out only what, like 3-4 psi? I don't want to risk any major internal damage. I only remember one occasion when the bike severely overheated: I was going down the Vegas strip at 9 PM on Labor day, it was 93 degrees out and I kept hitting stoplight after stoplight. Eventually the bike overheated and stalled out. I cut bait and headed towards the interstate, once I was out on the highway and air was flowing around the jugs, I didn't have any other problems.

A few people have suggested running 20W-50 oil, which is something I'm considering when it starts getting hot out. But I want to make sure I do things the right way.

I always thought that the heavier oil helped cool better too, but others have stated that a lighter oil will flow faster and actually help cool faster? Maybe it's a toss-up.

Do you have any mods - increased compression, hot cams, etc?

I would guess it really depends on your typical riding conditions (hwy vs stop and go). I saw one member post an electric fan on his oil cooler which would be the way to go in stop and go traffic. I also saw someone using a thermostat to control when the oil cooler would be used, which seems simply brilliant since a cooler will increase time for the engine to warm up/cause it to run cooler in the colder weather.

I don't have the answer, just some thoughts.

I never ran a cooler years ago on my Z1 but only occasionally heard light cracking sounds as the engine metal cooled down in severe weather. I now run a cooler from Earls and only find slow warmup in the spring and fall but a small piece of cardboard to partially cover the cooler held on with zip ties is a simple solution as it can easily be snipped off. Factory optional coolers of the day did not have a thermostat and seemed to do the job but todays products are better engineered and more reliable due to better fittings etc.
Good luck! David

Look here:
www.holley.com/types/Temp-A-Cure%20Oil%20Coolers.asp
www.holley.com/types/Oil%20Thermostat.asp

Thanks for your quick replies!

I'm running a stock (minus mildly jetted carbs and a Kerker) KZ900 engine, so the heat output is right on spec. To further complicate things, I ride in ALL conditions, stop and go on the way to Target, stop and go all 60 miles to Santa Monica, "normal" highway cruising all the way to balls to the wall screaming flat-out across the Mojave desert (At sundown, a life-changing experience. I HIGHLY recommend it. Just don't break the posted speed limits ) to rides in 40 (and colder) degree weather in January.

DoubleDub wrote:

I always thought that the heavier oil helped cool better too, but others have stated that a lighter oil will flow faster and actually help cool faster? Maybe it's a toss-up.

That's the opposite of what I heard . Wouldn't a higher viscosity oil cause slightly more resistance, therefore generate slightly more heat?

Kawboy74 wrote:

I now run a cooler from Earls and only find slow warmup in the spring and fall but a small piece of cardboard to partially cover the cooler held on with zip ties is a simple solution as it can easily be snipped off. Factory optional coolers of the day did not have a thermostat and seemed to do the job but todays products are better engineered and more reliable due to better fittings etc.
Good luck! David

Thanks! I'd definitely want to make sure it's done the right way, so a thermostat and a nice Earl's cooler and respective plumbing sounds like the way to go.

IMHO, you don't need an oil cooler if you run a good synthetic oil like Amsoil or similar (not fake synthetic, true synthetic). Those oils are so strong they will hold up at very high temps.

I run an ELR cooler on my KZ plus an oil pressure,oil temp amd cylinder head temp gauges.On hot,humid days,even running some very good oil,I am glad I got the cooler.The oil temp gets incredible and I do as little stop and go as I can.

Here's a thread with some very pertinent info

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...d=2&id=411190#411205

The only thing i dont like about them it thta the oil will drain back to the crankcase each time, if you dont staart it for weeks it might lead to accellerated wear in top end. BUT big plus is how much cooler the cylinder head and oil run. I am going through same decisions at the moment.

Cheers,
Kt

hocbj23 wrote:

I run an ELR cooler on my KZ plus an oil pressure,oil temp amd cylinder head temp gauges.On hot,humid days,even running some very good oil,I am glad I got the cooler.The oil temp gets incredible and I do as little stop and go as I can.

Out of curiosity, why do you run an oil pressure gauge? Do you have the stock oil pump?

Would you mind posting a URL to the oil temp gauge and maybe a picture showing your set up? I am intrigued!

Oil coolers are not needed up here in cooler New England. But down south in the constant heat, I can see an oil cooler as good insurance.

If anyone needs a oil cooler, I have a complete setup off a GPz1100 I will sell cheap to a member as a favor. As long as you have a "J" style engine the kit will fit.

Rich

I removed my Lockhart because of what I thought was a leaking hose elbow at the pressure switch housing. THAT may not be my problem, but I always had, after the bike would sit for several days, a clanking/knocking noise after about 15 seconds when I started it. It would go away in less than a minute never to return until it sat again. Well, since I removed the cooler, no more knock. Nada. I have no clue if we have a true cause and effect here or not, but no more clang and I'm a happier old fool now. Now, back to that oil leak.........