Pre-heating the engine oil.

[Harry/FDK]

I guess all the racers pre-heat their engine oil since there's nobody running the engine in the line-up lane's. How do you guys do it ? 12 volts or 220 (in the pit-lane)?  What systems do you use ??
Thanks!

[Jim Ratto]

I've seen guys use a big soup pot over a propane camp stove, warm their oil in pot, then pour in motor.

[AutoManics]

I use a heat pad on the oil tank, runs on 110 volts through a site converter.

[Sam K]

That's an interesting idea. I've also seen engine heaters that bolt to the oil sump plate for cold weather.

[JIMP]

Hello

you could use a resistance and thermostatic device as is used on the big generator sets. The bigger ones which are coupled on turbo engines they use this device as they are called to take charges in some 15-20 sec. So the engine is fired on and directly run to the 1500rpms, but the short 20sec time is not sufficient for the cold oil not even to reach the bearings and in no case to lubricate the turbo, which after 4-5 runs becomes shot, so on these engines this device is mandatory. Is installed directly in the oil probably by some provisions that exist on the oil pan as the device is a stick style and it is fed with alternative current (220V or 110, as the current draw in 12V for a sufficient resistance would be enormous!) and it sustains the temp. of the oil to the preset value so you haven't to be worried if the oil starts to boil!. So I would contact the nearest local dealer of gensets and would ask him the device only as it is an accesory to those engines and comes separately, hope that helps a little

Friendly

Dimitrios

[Bewitched666]

Whats the use of preheating coz i have never done it in my race car

[JIMP]

Hello

oil has a working temperature range in which it serve us with the maximum lubrication possible, If you consider for example that beyond 110?115?120? oC the oil starts to loose it;s capacity to lubricate eficiently, the same you should consider for the oil temperatures below 70-75oC where the oil has the same insuficiency to lubricate correctly. Don't confuse this with the oil pressure being high at those temperatures, doesn;t has to do with oil pressure, it's just that the additives in the oil (for ex. antifriction, antifoam additives etc) just won't work in this temperature. This is something you don;t feel maybe, but be sure your engine feels it, especially if it has a turbo charger and some day will tell you about it. So if you dragrace, the time for the oil to warm up is pretty little so you'd better bring the oil in normal temperatures before you race with a preheater, that;s the talk about

Friendly

Dimitrios

[Harry/FDK]

Thanks Dimitrios, i like mine pre-heated to about 90 C. See what i can find to make this work.

[Martin]

my oil warm up procedure.

1, Start car
2, have cup of tea till oil is hot
3, spank car
4, return to pits
5, have another cup of tea.


 

[tikimadness]

my oil warm up procedure.

1, Start car
2, have cup of tea till oil is hot
3, spank car
4, return to pits
5, have another cup of tea.


 

I do the same minus the tea

[Bewitched666]

So its all about lubrication then.
Well have never done it before but maybe becoz the weather in curacao is normally bewteen 30-35 degrees C we have never done it.

But might consider doing it sine we race at night sometimes

[Steve D.]

If the proper viscosity oil is used, no preheating is necessary.  All preheating will do is thin out the oil and heat up the heads.  Run a thinner oil and you won't need to preheat the whole motor = thin oil, cool heads.