I
finally got an oil cooler on my car and am about due for an oil change. Here are the stats:
*Engine: 1997 Toyota 1MZ-FE w/ about 70,000 miles
*3-5psi oil pressure drop noted at cold temperature startup (down from 80psi) after the oil cooler was installed.
*Oil cooling system uses a remote theremostat as shown here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sbcelicagt/Celica V6/Oil Cooler/
*Oil now heats up more slowly. My daily commute is less than 10 minutes and previously the oil temp got up to about 185 and today only got up to 165.
*Additions increased the total oil capacity by about 1 quart.
*Engine Condition:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=012771;p=1#000000
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002110;p=2#000029
*Engine in 2700lb car so loading is less than original application (3300lb Avalon)
*Car used at open track weekend twice a year (8x20 minute hot laps per weekend).
*Oil temps up to about 270 on the track and would go higher if I drove harder (I’m more of a 7/10ths driver rather than a 9/10ths at this point)
* Warm (~200 degrees) oil pressure at idle was about 25psi prior to installing the cooler. I haven’t driven the car far enough yet to know what the new warm idle oil pressure will be.
*Oil temps and pressures measured here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sbcelicagt/Celica V6/oilports.jpg
(I believe these are ports that come after the filter but before the rest of the engine, but that's only a guess.)
I'm debating whether I will want to have this current OCI analyzed considering it may show contaminants from changing the oil pan. I also cleaned the throttle body and IAC valve, but I recall taking it off the engine before washing it down. I never solved the oil leak (might be the upper oil pan) so I usually add about 2 quarts per OCI and recently added a 3rd with the oil cooler installation.
Based on this information, would it be a wise idea to change from RL 5W30 to RL 5W20 to assist with the low temperature lubrication?
What are your thoughts?
Regards,
Adrian