low oil temp

[Frang]

I had the dealer put a new H-D fairing mount oil temp gauge on my 2011 trike. I also have one of those oil temp gauges that screw into the oil fill spout. The other day after a 20 mile ride I checked them.The fairing gauge read 173 and the tank gauge read 218.That was with the air temp of around 30 degrees. Which one would you guys believe?:Shrug:

 

[Gorilla]

Probably the best solution would be to get a meat temp gauge and put it in the oil hole to see what the real temp is. My screw in oil temp gauge is reading 15 degrees to hot. Fairing gauge read 230 screw in read 245 and my laser temp reader read 228 at the oil pan. So my fairing gauge is the correct one.

 

[Fusionfool]

I would rely on the in fairing temp gauge. I have both as well, the dip stick temp gauge is right next to the pipes, and is always going to show higher temps. With my setup, V&H power duals, stage 1 download, fuel pak, and air cleaner, I see about a 10° to 20° difference between the in fairing and the dipstick. Dipstick always higher. If you still have the OEM pipes, and CAT, I could definitely see why a 40°+ temp difference.

 

[Jax]

One is engine oil temp the other is temp in bag with oil that has cooled. Engine oil is the important one.

 

[JJHog]

The sensor for the fairing mounted Oil Temp Gauge is mounted in the front of the oil pan right next to the drain plug. So, technically, the oil in the oil pan is oil that has cycled back to the oil pan after going through the oil cooler and waiting to be cycled back to the oil pump.

 

[Sloufoot]

I had the dealer put a new H-D fairing mount oil temp gauge on my 2011 trike. I also have one of those oil temp gauges that screw into the oil fill spout. The other day after a 20 mile ride I checked them.The fairing gauge read 173 and the tank gauge read 218.That was with the air temp of around 30 degrees. Which one would you guys believe?:Shrug:

I would trust the fairing mounted over the dip stick gauge if for no other reason the dip stick isn't nearly as high tech. You probably can't find two to read the same. The oil in the tank is pretty much all the same temp. It is circulating in the tank all the time the engine is running.
Take a quality meat or candy thermometer & see which is closer to correct.

 

[427dave]

This sounds like the guy that had two wrist watches, he never knew the correct time. I have a faring mounted gauge only and believe it.

 

[msocko3]

Stick with the one in the fairing, the tank gauges are a crap shoot when it comes to accuracy.

 

[lboos]

Why would you need a oil temp. gauge any way, a fairing mount and one in the oil fill spout, one reading 173 the other 218, sounds like just two more distractions when maybe one should be paying attention to the road, I don't mean to sound rude, but the Harley did not come with a oil temp. gauge [that I know of] mine didn't, and most modern auto's don't, and at what oil temp. are you going to shut down your M/C, and what are you going to adjust ?
Just curious, has anyone every found a problem with their M/C that called for maint. from the dealer by looking at a oil temp. gauge ?
I'm prob. wrong, I often am .

 

[screwball]

I've mentioned this before. WORST accessory I added to my Ultra and Trike. Spend most of my riding time with one eye on the road, the other on that damned oil temp gage. Considering there isn't a thing I can do to influence the oil temp, and Harley engineers don't think there was a reason to put one on it is just one more thing to worry about. Synthetic oil has a temperature breakdown of over 400*, if your trike gets that hot you will know it.

Good Luck

 

[Geezzer Glide]

I installed the fairing mount oil temp gauge on my 11 Tri Glide. I did it mostly out of curiosity as to what the oil temp actually is and I figured it was better than the air temp gauge that never was any where close to the actual air temp, LOL. I'm sure it's no better than the rest of the gauges. They are all just a rough guestimate at best.

Dan

 

[rap47]

I have the oil temp gauge in the fairing and use it as a guide to see the oil temps in city traffic. When the temps start to rise I flip the aux switch on the dash to turn on the Lenale fan. The oil temp gauge proves the fan is working as the temps will stop climbing and level out. It makes a hell of a lot more sense than that useless air temp gauge!

 

[Lakeman]

If Harley had put one from the start then they could not sell you one. I have both also.

 

[msocko3]

Why would you need a oil temp. gauge any way, a fairing mount and one in the oil fill spout, one reading 173 the other 218, sounds like just two more distractions when maybe one should be paying attention to the road, I don't mean to sound rude, but the Harley did not come with a oil temp. gauge [that I know of] mine didn't, and most modern auto's don't, and at what oil temp. are you going to shut down your M/C, and what are you going to adjust ?
Just curious, has anyone every found a problem with their M/C that called for maint. from the dealer by looking at a oil temp. gauge ?
I'm prob. wrong, I often am .

I've used them for several years now, and yes I've shut it down when I saw 300 degrees while sitting in slow traffic while going through Chicago. I've also shutdown on the freeway before when caught in extremely slow traffic, both cases I pushed the bike or trike until traffic started moving steady. I figure why cook it when you don't have to.

 

[Frang]

Well I doubt the one in the oil fill would be much of a distraction when your riding unless you ride hanging off the side of the trike. I had the fill one for a couple years but i'm going to eliminate anyways now that I've got the other. Anyway was just wondering why the big swing in temperature. Harleys don't come with a lift kit either but everyone puts em on to keep from dragging the pipes. From my experience not everything Harley does is a great idea.

 

[Oldmsocko]

It just lets me know when it is getting to hot with out looking over the side of the bike plus from what I have read the ones in the oil tank are not that accurate. I have been known to ride on the shoulder of the road in stop and go traffic on the interstate if my bike gets too hot.

 

[Phu Cat]

Have to agree with Screwball and Rap. If you're running synthetic there's not too much to worry about unless you caught in a long traffic tie up. Then the best thing to have is a parade fan.

Keep one thing in mine tho. Getting your oil hot isn't always a bad thing. When your oil is hot you're driving the moisture out that's created by the combustion process, that's a good thing.

Phu Cat

 

[DK Custom Products]

It just lets me know when it is getting to hot with out looking over the side of the bike plus from what I have read the ones in the oil tank are not that accurate. I have been known to ride on the shoulder of the road in stop and go traffic on the interstate if my bike gets too hot.

Been there, & done the same!