Calling Baz!!!

[BigLion]

As the leading expert in the field of porsche engines, I'm hoping Baz can help!!!

I want to put a sump heater on my 997 Gen 2 as I do short journeys where the oil doesn't warm up So hoping that will help the oil get up to operating temp a bit more quickly to save engine wear etc.

Is this a good or bad idea - thinking about relative temp differences between the oil and the engine?

Please help!!!

[mollytherocker]

Just take the long route a couple of times a week, sorted! Oh and rag it.

I assume you want to drive it?

[996TT02]

I wonder why you think that hot oil is better than cold oil. Normally the problem is trying to keep oil temp down, not up. Today's oils - I will safely assume you use decent stuff - no doubt - perform well at all the temperatures they are designed to.

[mollytherocker]

996TT02 said:

I wonder why you think that hot oil is better than cold oil. Normally the problem is trying to keep oil temp down, not up. Today's oils - I will safely assume you use decent stuff - no doubt - perform well at all the temperatures they are designed to.

Its important to put and engine through a full heat cycle, not just to clear any condensation, but to get the tolerances in the right place and 'clear them out'.

I truly believe that all engines, yes all, should be properly ragged every so often. Its good for them.

Its called an Italian tune up!

[996TT02]

mollytherocker said:

996TT02 said:

I wonder why you think that hot oil is better than cold oil. Normally the problem is trying to keep oil temp down, not up. Today's oils - I will safely assume you use decent stuff - no doubt - perform well at all the temperatures they are designed to.

Its important to put and engine through a full heat cycle, not just to clear any condensation, but to get the tolerances in the right place and 'clear them out'.

I truly believe that all engines, yes all, should be properly ragged every so often. Its good for them.

Its called an Italian tune up!

Whatever the merits of the above, it appears that the OP is wanting hot oil because he believes that cars should not be driven with cold oil.

[BigLion]

996TT02 said:

mollytherocker said:

996TT02 said:

I wonder why you think that hot oil is better than cold oil. Normally the problem is trying to keep oil temp down, not up. Today's oils - I will safely assume you use decent stuff - no doubt - perform well at all the temperatures they are designed to.

Its important to put and engine through a full heat cycle, not just to clear any condensation, but to get the tolerances in the right place and 'clear them out'.

I truly believe that all engines, yes all, should be properly ragged every so often. Its good for them.

Its called an Italian tune up!

Whatever the merits of the above, it appears that the OP is wanting hot oil because he believes that cars should not be driven with cold oil.

Correct, in that if for 5 days a week the oil doesn't get up to temp then I'm worried about the longer term implications - albeit it gets a good run on the weekend.

I've never had a car that didn't get up to the right oil temp by the time I got to work - this is the first (appears still to be below/around 60 degrees).

Plan is to take enough of the cold edge of the oil such that it warms up fully by the time it gets to work.

[Innowaybored]

I don't go above 3500 rpm in my car until it is up to temp. Although I would never dream of going to the red line even when warmed through am I wasting valuable driving time?

(I don't drive mine very often and it can sit for 2-3 weeks before driving it)

[mollytherocker]

Innowaybored said:

I don't go above 3500 rpm in my car until it is up to temp. Although I would never dream of going to the red line even when warmed through am I wasting valuable driving time?

(I don't drive mine very often and it can sit for 2-3 weeks before driving it)

You are wasting your life.

[supersport]

Innowaybored said:

I don't go above 3500 rpm in my car until it is up to temp. Although I would never dream of going to the red line even when warmed through am I wasting valuable driving time?

(I don't drive mine very often and it can sit for 2-3 weeks before driving it)

you have no idea what you are missing. Get it warm and then drive the thing, just enjoy the noise. Assuming you aren't on about a diesel.

[Moosh]

Innowaybored said:

I would never dream of going to the red line

[BertBert]

The problem with pre heating is getting enough things hot enough to make a difference especially if the oil and the engine are in different places. If the oil lived in the sump then you can heat that and the engine with a heat pad.

If the oil is on a dry sump tank then you have to hear that too.

And then you need a coolant pre heater too!


My experience is that it's a lot of faff for little gain. I'd not be bothering for my commute that's for sure!

Bert