Royal Enfield AVL Engine Oil Cooler update with real world data

Some time ago, we did an auto tech feature on an oil cooler for the AVL engined Royal Enfield Motorcycles. Now, we bring you the data to substantiate the oil cooler’s real world performance. Here we go!

Before we present the data, we’d like to give you an overview of the two motorcycles that were the subjects of the test. We tested two Royal Enfield Machismo LB500s back to back, one modded LB500 with the cooler and the other one, a rejetted LB500, which apart from the rejet was bone stock.

Test Data

• Atmospheric temperature: 24.2 degrees celsius
• Location: Pune, India
• Maximum speed attained before the reading was taken: 60 km/hr
• Time: Before Noon.

LB500 Semi-Stock

• Changes in bike: 120 Jet
• Rider’s weight: About 80 Kg
• Oil: Mineral in all three oil sumps

Engine temperatures before ride:

Inlet side Exhaust Side Y (Rocker Pipe Y joint)

32.8 33 31.1

After Ride

97.8 114.8 86.8

Temperature Difference

67 81.8 44.7

LB500 Modified

Main Jet: 150
K&N Filter
Free flow goldstar muffler
Oil: Synthetic in Engine and clutch primary, mineral in gearbox
These changes, while yielding more power and torque, do not reduce the engine temperatures as the the larger jetting, is primarily done to offset the higher air intake due to the K&N filter. In essence, the air fuel ratio is maintained as pretty much a constant between the two motorcycles under consideration.

Engine temperature before ride

Inlet side Exhaust Side Y (Rocker Pipe Y joint)

38 .8 42 40.1

After ride

91.6 109 74

Temperature Difference

52.8 67 33.9

Note:

All temperatures are in degree celsius

The modified oil cooled Royal Enfield Machismo LB500 was parked in direct sunlight. So the initial, external engine temperature was higher than that of the stock Royal Enfield Machismo LB500 which was parked in the shade.

Interpreting the temperature readings:

First up, let’s look at the non oil cooled LB500 and the resultant temperature increases after the ride. The inlet, exhaust and rocker pipe Y joint showed temperature increase percentages of 204.2%, 247.8% and 143.7% respectively. Of these, the most important temperature to consider is the temperature of oil flowing in from the oil pump to the rocker pipe. You’ll find out why soon.

Coming to the oil cooled LB500′s temperature increase percentages, here are the figures for inlet, exhaust and rocker pipe Y joint: 136.08%, 159.5% and 82.54% respectively. Why were we stressing on the temperature reading at the rocker pipe Y joint? Simply because, the efficiency of the oil cooler is directly dependent on the temperature differences at the rocker pipe Y joint as the oil cooler sits in between the oil pump and the rocker pipe Y joint and works on cooling the engine oil at this juncture, after which it is pumped back to the head through the rocker pipe. Thus, the temperature difference at this point is a direct reflection of the immediate cooling efficiency of the oil cooler.

From the data at the rocker pipe Y joint on both the stock and the oil cooled motorcycles, we can conclude that the oil cooler is working at an independent cooling efficiency of 25% which is pretty remarkable. So, in essence, oil entering the oil cooler at 100 degrees centigrade exits it at 75 degrees centigrade. More importantly, these temperature gains due to the oil cooler manifest themselves to the engine too, in terms of lowering operating temperatures by about 22.5-23.5%.

So, the overall engine cooling produced by the oil cooler is close to 24%. This figure is pretty exemplary to say the least, especially in the context of air cooled engines. So, there, we have the comprehensive test results of the oil cooler, boosting engine cooling by almost 24%. You can get in touch with the designer and manufacturer of this oil cooler, Chinmay Dangre at macasp@gmail.com for product orders or with Jay Prashanth at jayprashanth@gmail.com for further queries.

Post script: Eagle eyed readers amongst you may notice that the oil cooled LB500 uses synthetic oil vis a vis the stock LB500 using mineral oil for lubrication. We’d like to clear the air and refute the popular misconception that is prevalent, which states that usage of synthetic oil reduces engine temperatures. Nothing could be further from the truth as the usage of synthetic oil merely ensures optimum lubrication at higher temperatures as it is resistant to thermal breakdown caused due to high operating temperatures in the engine. The synthetic oils’ higher flash point ensures that the oil retains it’s lubricating properties at higher temperatures, the same temperatures at while mineral oils break down due to their flash points being exceeded. H

ence, using a synthetic oil doesn’t reduce engine temperatures, while it certainly will lubricate better at higher temperatures when compared with mineral oils. Now, what the oil cooler does is, it reduces the temperature of the oil, thus making sure that your mineral oil too doesn’t exceed it’s flash point and break down. Cooler oil naturally equates to a cooler, happier and more importantly a longer lasting engine which does not lose it’s consistency/power-torque output at higher temperatures.

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