Caterham Aftersales Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 With the track day season in full swing and warmer weather here, we have received a large number of queries from various quarters regarding acceptable oil temperatures on k series Supersport cars and Superlights. We would expect the oil temperature to reach in excess of 100c when driven enthusiastically, but not reach the red. What has become apparent is that the single most important factor affecting the temperature is the fuel being used. We believe that the quality of 95RON unleaded has detiorated recently, possibly as a side affect of price competition, and this is causing poor combustion at sustained high rpm. This is generally not felt by the driver. Experience has shown that cars run on Super Unleaded or other high octane fuels (such as Shell Optimax) do not experience this problem. In tests, the oil temperature has been significantly lower under hard use (though it will be similar in general road driving). Note: Whilst our guage only reads to 120c, the engine is rated to a much higher temperature (as is any good quality oil). Therefore, to safeguard your engine from lubrication related problems, Caterham Cars strongly recommend the use of Super Unleaded or equivilant fuel for track days and racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Good advice to use SUL on track regardless. 110 degrees bulk oil temperature measured in an Apollo tank equates to a much higher temperature in the working areas of the engine. Mobil One motorsport 15W50 is *only* rated to 130 degrees. Mobil One 0W40 is rated higher - 150 degrees IIRC. Peterid=teal> 253 BHP K-seriesteeth.gif, no gearboxbum.gifid=red> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino ferrana Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Nice to see the factory making sure information gets to the people who need it! Big Thumbs UP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buda Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Very nice of them to tell us I'm impressed, off to the garage to buy some optimax then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 I agree - it's good to see a Caterham contributing - the first time I've seen it. As a complete coincidence I've just posted to chitchat suggesting that there should be a tech notes and /or FAQ section on the Caterham site or on the L7c site to which Caterham contribute regularly! The Mole - it's better than being a rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Nuts Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Thanks for that Mr Caterham Aftersales. Oil temp had "worried" me in the past but I don't think I've ever seen it over 100 (sometimes gets to around 95 ish) so I can stop worrying now! teeth.gif NN blush.gif Lotus @ Herts Edited by - No Nuts on 19 Jun 2002 18:40:16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X7 CAT Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Hey Guy, that's because you never push hard enough!!! Mind you, with all the time I spend in the gravel, my temp doesn't get too high either . . . Great to see Caterham participating Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Nuts Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Hi Steve True, true! Just sprints this year so no chance to let the oil get that hot. I do find it warms up a bit at over 4,000 revs sustained on motorways etc. I was hoping to be sprinting at Goodwood on the 29th where the 2002 Academy will be as well but prior commitments and all that have put paid. How's the racing? NN blush.gif Lotus @ Herts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Ince Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 I have looked at my R500 Datalogging for the Snetterton round of the Centurian Challenge last year. This was held on one of the hottest days of the year. The car did not have an Appollo tank fitted at the time. The oil temperature was in the 93-98 degree range and for 3 laps briefly passed 100 degrees. This was exceptional and Minister prefer R500 oil temps to run under 90 degrees. However Jason Krebs saw temps of 140 degrees running in our slipstream that day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 On the way back from Le Mans in temperatures high enough to melt plastic I noticed my oil temp was a steady 110C at a steay 5000 rpm. Should I be concerned? Worried Tunbridge Wells Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Not all the plastic melted..........teeth.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Reay Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Blatman, thumbsup.gif, thumbsup.gif, thumbsup.gif teeth.gif teeth.gif John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 .................... well I guess you can't have everything Mr Blat,& so you can't claim on the insurance then!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julians Biatch Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 I use Optimax in my shed Fiat Punto runabout and notice a better economy and better pick up. And that is in a 1.2 8v 60bhp! Can't wait to see what a difference it makes in a 190bhp, 1.8 16V K series SLR! Pass me a banana, cos i'm just Ju's spanner monkey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Crickmore Posted June 20, 2002 Share Posted June 20, 2002 Caterham told me it's not unheard of to see oil temps go as high as 110 on the road under hard driving. Mine has been up there before on hot days. Usually sits at around 90. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino ferrana Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 Back to the top in case anyone missed it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morls Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 Blatman, Maybe if it had been pre-lit... smile.gif Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted June 26, 2002 Share Posted June 26, 2002 I have fitted adhesive temperature indicators at 3 pints arond the oil system - filter housing , scavenge and return pipes , plus a sender in the bottom of the belltank . During this season including trackdays on warmish days ( 25C track temp) I have yet to see the indicators above 104C . The car is driven hard , but only for 15 min maximum bursts . This is running to 8100 rpm , with Optimax . The optimax I believe does make my engine feel "sharper" and more responsive , of course - would I notice if someone filled it with S'unleaded ??? who knows . Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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