'91 R100GS Oil Cooler - can I do without?

[DevonianScotsman]

Hi all,

'Judith' my '91 R100GS is currently undergoing a major overall.
I've just got around to removing the Oil Cooler from the right hand engine bar, to find that the underside and all the fittings are very badly corroded.
It has to come off, but I don't see it being much use once it's off!

Would discarding the cooler altogether be an option? If so, how would it affect the performance of the bike?

Any advice gladly received.


Cheers,

Jonesybop

 

[John Armstrong]

The early Para 100GS didn't have one, and my oil temp only went up to about 160 deg C climbing the Jaufen pass two up this summer

But, if you're doing loads of motorway miles I'd guess it's of use. Thought about getting the TT one that puts it under the headstock?

 

[DevonianScotsman]

Thought about getting the TT one that puts it under the headstock?

I've not come across that, is it any good?

 

[Roger Chatterton]

I think also, if you have the "sump extension", which adds about 1.75 litres capacity , then there is even more chance of removing the oil cooler. However, on my 100GS, the oil cooler has already been moved to under the headstock, and has the sump extension too. Always thought it a much more sensible place than out on the crash bar. But, if you run a high front mudgaurd, then maybe on the crash bar makes more sense; still a very vulnerable position though

 

[DevonianScotsman]

I think also, if you have the "sump extension", which adds about 1.75 litres capacity , then there is even more chance of removing the oil cooler. However, on my 100GS, the oil cooler has already been moved to under the headstock, and has the sump extension too. Always thought it a much more sensible place than out on the crash bar. But, if you run a high front mudgaurd, then maybe on the crash bar makes more sense; still a very vulnerable position though

I have a high front mudguard - so I think headstock mounting it isn't really an option.
A sump extension wouldn't be a bad idea. Is that likely to keep the oil temperature low enough?

Jonesybop

 

[Oggyr80]

temp gauge

I recently saw a a dip stick with a temp gauge on it. Does anyone know who sells them? It would probably be a good idea to get one if you do take oil cooler off(also wanted to know where to get them so thought I'd hijack your thread)

 

[BamBam]

I have a high front mudguard - so I think headstock mounting it isn't really an option.
A sump extension wouldn't be a bad idea. Is that likely to keep the oil temperature low enough?

Jonesybop

Wrong


If you intend to ride off road a lot, I would avoid the sump extension.

Touratat is the most expensive place to buy the adaption. Search ebay and other boxer suppliers
If you go for the 43L large tank also available from HPN, the only place the oilcooler can go is under the headstock.
When buying my R100gs, moving the oil coiler was first mod on the list because of it's position of venerability I couldn’t work out which Nazi would be dumb enough to mount it on the CRASH BAR

 

[BamBam]

Incidentally Liliths 93 R100GS has not been fitted with an oil cooler And was fine in Morocco at 40’. A Gs would only overheat when stuck in mud/sand etc having it’s neck rung.
I have often considered fitting a thermostat for winter as my bike does not warm up properly with oilcooler on short journeys.
In this weather on my recent rides out I cover the oilcooler with tin foil, the cheap skate thermostat

 

[DevonianScotsman]

I recently saw a a dip stick with a temp gauge on it. Does anyone know who sells them? It would probably be a good idea to get one if you do take oil cooler off(also wanted to know where to get them so thought I'd hijack your thread)

There's a couple available.
This one and This one. They might be the same though, I'm not sure.

If you go for the 43L large tank also available from HPN, the only place the oilcooler can go is under the headstock.

I have the PD tank already, so if you can fit the cooler under the Headstock with a 43L tank, I'm sure I can do it with mine.

I couldn’t work out which Nazi would be dumb enough to mount it on the CRASH BAR

This confused me too, what a stupid place to put it. Drop the bike hard and lose all your Oil...

 

[newguy]

while on this note, is it worth cutting holes in my fender for the oil cooler or shoudl I be fine with the bit of air that does get to it? (center mount where horn is supposed to be)

 

[BamBam]

while on this note, is it worth cutting holes in my fender for the oil cooler or shoudl I be fine with the bit of air that does get to it? (center mount where horn is supposed to be)

with the heat I guess you ride in, Acerbis do a Baja front fender. Or if you have a OME front gaurd and can't get the Baja, buy a 19euro Acerbis and drill the rear

 

[Roger Chatterton]

I will certainly agree with Bam Bam (he's bigger than me ) .....but, say on my previous 100RS mono, which had an oil cooler fitted centrally, I was always a bit concerned if I was stuck in heavy traffic in the middle of summer ( remember summer). The engine note would definitely change a bit, and sound just a bit more noisy than normal. Now I know the RS had a lot of fairing around the engine, but the engine could get pretty hot, so I wouldn't like to suggest removing the oil cooler -I guess it depends on the type of riding to some extent.
An oil temp and pressure gauge would be a good idea-even on the 1150, stuck in traffic in hot weather, the temp would rise, once it went into the "danger zone" and I imagine that having the oil cooler meant that as soon as you were able to get an air flow over the engine , and the cooler, then the temp would drop.

 

[r100/7]

my 1993 r100gs oil cooler has be take off and the bike is going well and the oil has stoped leaking and burning
they are fine on the road with out and my only need a one to ride off road loads

 

[Rob Farmer]

This confused me too, what a stupid place to put it. Drop the bike hard and lose all your Oil...

Or Punch a hole in your leg...Don't ask me how I know

 

[fayeslane]

To determine the effect of removing the oil cooler you have to know what temps the oil is running at. A temp guage dipstick seems to be an easy way of achieving this. Run around for a while with the cooler covered then compare with uncoverd temp then check against optimum range for that oil.

Plenty of uncooled airheads running around Oz in 40 C+ heat and I'm not aware of widespread problems

Re oil cooler damage -I carry around a oil cooler bypass hose which just bolts on in place of the cooler lines. Small, cheap and means you can get home if if the cooler is damaged. Fits nicely in the (unloved by some ) GSPD glove box.

 

[Steptoe]

Plenty of uncooled airheads running around Oz in 40 C+ heat and I'm not aware of widespread problems

That about sums it up -

For years big old BMW's covered thousands of miles crossing continents in all temperatures without oil coolers and no one gave it a second thought.

 

[Kenny]

As above..when removing it, ensure you have the correct cover for the oil filter housing

 

[Beemerboff]

Remember that a GS has the smallest sump and the longest dipstick of all 1000cc bikes, and lower gearing too.

The sump is also screened by the guard, and lacks the fins of other sumps

So it runs hot, and in normal GS use a stock bike needs the cooler - references to other bikes are not a valid comparision

Fitting a second hand deep finned sump from a late bike is a cheap alternative to a sump extension and is the minimum you shoould consider if you are overcome by stupidity and decide to remove the cooler.

The best synthetic oil you can find is a good choice too- 160c temps as reported in an earlier post will cook dino PDQ, and are at the extreme margin for synth .

 

[Redboots]

You cpuld go the other way and fit a bigger oil cooler

I also think its a good idea to have the thermo valve so your oil warms quicker and keeps it that way in cooler times.

John

 

[DevonianScotsman]

You cpuld go the other way and fit a bigger oil cooler

I also think its a good idea to have the thermo valve so your oil warms quicker and keeps it that way in cooler times.

John

Thanks John, that's porn right there...

Now I'm very seriously considering the idea of a Thermostat and an aftermarket cooler.
Further research required, but it seems to be worth the money.