GMC Engine Oil Temp & Sender Location

[charles w aulgur]

Fred, a few years back I also mounted the sending unit for an oil temp
gauge in the oil filter adapter, measuring the oil temp leaving the
engine. I also found my oil temp ran around 260 degrees F with a normal
engine load on my 455 engine in a 76 Royale. I became very concerned an
spent a lot of money for an auxiliary engine oil cooler. At the same
time I put on several "Westac" gauges. They mounted the sending unit for
the engine oil temp in my drain plug (only charged 5$ above the normal
sending unit price). I calibrated all my temp gauges in cooking oil
before I put them in. What I found out was I spent a lot of money for
the auxiliary oil cooler that I probably didn't need. I still have the
temp gauge in the oil filter adapter and it normally runs from 40 to 60
degrees F higher than the oil pan temp. I also have another oil temp
gauge in oil filter adapter measuring the oil temp coming from my
auxiliary cooler. During normal operations the oil is cooled about 40 to
50 degrees F going through the cooler. My oil temp measured in the oil
pan drain plug never gets more than about 15 degrees above the engine
coolant temp under max load conditions.

Based on my experience with an oil temp sending unit mounted in the oil
filter adapter, your 260 degrees F coming out of the engine is about
normal.

Chuck Aulgur
GMCWS Tech V. P.
La Mesa, CA

 

[gene]

great post Chuck

made it to the web page again
gene

>Fred, a few years back I also mounted the sending unit for an oil temp
>gauge in the oil filter adapter, measuring the oil temp leaving the
>engine. I also found my oil temp ran around 260 degrees F with a normal
>engine load on my 455 engine in a 76 Royale. I became very concerned an
>spent a lot of money for an auxiliary engine oil cooler. At the same
>time I put on several "Westac" gauges. They mounted the sending unit for
>the engine oil temp in my drain plug (only charged 5$ above the normal
>sending unit price). I calibrated all my temp gauges in cooking oil
>before I put them in. What I found out was I spent a lot of money for
>the auxiliary oil cooler that I probably didn't need. I still have the
>temp gauge in the oil filter adapter and it normally runs from 40 to 60
>degrees F higher than the oil pan temp. I also have another oil temp
>gauge in oil filter adapter measuring the oil temp coming from my
>auxiliary cooler. During normal operations the oil is cooled about 40 to
>50 degrees F going through the cooler. My oil temp measured in the oil
>pan drain plug never gets more than about 15 degrees above the engine
>coolant temp under max load conditions.
>
>Based on my experience with an oil temp sending unit mounted in the oil
>filter adapter, your 260 degrees F coming out of the engine is about
>normal.
>
>Chuck Aulgur
>GMCWS Tech V. P.
>La Mesa, CA
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/

 

[ronald b. kazi]

On our maiden voyage, my new gauges showed 350 for tranny oil temp, I didnt
believe it and was able to touch the new Ragusa pan and not leave marks.
Once I found the exposed wire touching the ground, it read 140-160 including
a long uphill haul. When I stopped for a while and shut off the engine, the
reading went to the top of the scale. Is this normal? Does the cooling stop
when you turn off the engine? Should I recheck for a bad wire?

Water gauge (stock instrument cluster) showed 1/4 scale, I understand this is
normal. Did notice leakage from the radiator core, about one reservoir full
over 600 miles. A bit green on the front drivers side of the radiator. My
brothers radiator leak detector should come in handy.

Oil pressure ran 20-30 lbs most of the time. This seems low, should I be
concerned? Used up roughly 1-1/2 quarts in 600 miles.

Oil temperature gauge showed 0. It is not hooked up yet.

Mileage???? Speedometer and odometer dot work yet. Probably in the 8-9
range.

While I am bragging about my minimal number of gauges (I am a rookie), the
air bags held their pressure perfectly, indicated by my dual air pressure
gauge. The leakage I experienced while parked for the winter from the
adjuster mechanism seems to have taken care of itself.

Without starting a major discussion, with a medium weight 26' GMC, what RANGE
(please note emphasis) should I run the air bags at?

Thanks

Ron and Julie

PS The coach passed state safety inspection today with flying colors. It
will never have to be inspected again as long as I own it. Inspector
commented that it was in great condition and that he thought there was a
mistake with the year on the registration. He was particularly impressed
with the parking brake which held me even in a > 2000 rpm rev. (thanks to
genes site and the pulleys) "Shoot, your windshield washer sprayer even
works!" I have to admit that it ran really rough after the inspection and
that it wouldn't turn over without a jump after a fill up. Oh well....Life
with a GMC.

> Fred, a few years back I also mounted the sending unit for an oil temp
> gauge in the oil filter adapter, measuring the oil temp leaving the
> engine. I also found my oil temp ran around 260 degrees F with a normal
> engine load on my 455 engine in a 76 Royale. I became very concerned an
> spent a lot of money for an auxiliary engine oil cooler. At the same
> time I put on several "Westac" gauges. They mounted the sending unit for
> the engine oil temp in my drain plug (only charged 5$ above the normal
> sending unit price). I calibrated all my temp gauges in cooking oil
> before I put them in. What I found out was I spent a lot of money for
> the auxiliary oil cooler that I probably didn't need. I still have the
> temp gauge in the oil filter adapter and it normally runs from 40 to 60
> degrees F higher than the oil pan temp. I also have another oil temp
> gauge in oil filter adapter measuring the oil temp coming from my
> auxiliary cooler. During normal operations the oil is cooled about 40 to
> 50 degrees F going through the cooler. My oil temp measured in the oil
> pan drain plug never gets more than about 15 degrees above the engine
> coolant temp under max load conditions.
>
> Based on my experience with an oil temp sending unit mounted in the oil
> filter adapter, your 260 degrees F coming out of the engine is about
> normal.
>
> Chuck Aulgur
> GMCWS Tech V. P.
> La Mesa, CA

 

[bob mclaughlin]

Does anyone know the critical temperature of non synthetic engine oil? By
critical temperature I mean the temperature where rapid breakdown of the oil
begins. I thought it was around 250 degrees but if its going to the cooler
routinely at 260 then the critical temperature must be a lot higher.

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailtowner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Charles W
Aulgur
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2000 7:26 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: Re: GMC: GMC Engine Oil Temp & Sender Location

Fred, a few years back I also mounted the sending unit for an oil temp
gauge in the oil filter adapter, measuring the oil temp leaving the
engine. I also found my oil temp ran around 260 degrees F with a normal
engine load on my 455 engine in a 76 Royale. I became very concerned an
spent a lot of money for an auxiliary engine oil cooler. At the same
time I put on several "Westac" gauges. They mounted the sending unit for
the engine oil temp in my drain plug (only charged 5$ above the normal
sending unit price). I calibrated all my temp gauges in cooking oil
before I put them in. What I found out was I spent a lot of money for
the auxiliary oil cooler that I probably didn't need. I still have the
temp gauge in the oil filter adapter and it normally runs from 40 to 60
degrees F higher than the oil pan temp. I also have another oil temp
gauge in oil filter adapter measuring the oil temp coming from my
auxiliary cooler. During normal operations the oil is cooled about 40 to
50 degrees F going through the cooler. My oil temp measured in the oil
pan drain plug never gets more than about 15 degrees above the engine
coolant temp under max load conditions.

Based on my experience with an oil temp sending unit mounted in the oil
filter adapter, your 260 degrees F coming out of the engine is about
normal.

Chuck Aulgur
GMCWS Tech V. P.
La Mesa, CA