in general, do liquid cooled engines.... - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

goo · 11-05-2009, 10:37 AM

...last significantly longer than air cooled engines?
thx,
goo

**TexRod** · 11-05-2009, 10:41 AM

Yes. In general

Motive · 11-05-2009, 10:42 AM

In a box in the desert? I'd have to say yes.

It depends on the environment, the rider, and the maintenance.

gruss · 11-05-2009, 10:45 AM

i'm gonna say....yes, liquid cooled engines dont suffer from excess heat generated during hot times of the year...although liquid cooled engines mantain a stable temperature, they are succeptable to overheat just like air cooled engines. and in the case of a liquid cooled engine overheat, cylinder cracking, water jacket cracking etc. can occur...the worst event...steaming the block..

although this is rare condition, is can happen......

**Dave63** · 11-05-2009, 10:59 AM

Water cooled engines maintain a steady, predetermined heat range, where as an aircooled engine does not.

It makes them (water cooled) slightly more efficient and EPA friendly, but also incorporates internal fluid, which can cause a host of other issues.

It depends on mechanical maintenence, use and care to determine longevity.

Lawn mower engines are aircooled and last a lifetime. I worked at Taylor Rental as a kid, and knew people that could destroy them in half a day's use.....

Engines that are a steady temp also create more HPs then ones that get too hot.

tallroller · 11-05-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goo

...last significantly longer than air cooled engines?
thx,
goo

Longer? As a rule, Yes. Significantly? Not really.

If you ask me, additional thing to worry about...cooling liquid, reservoir, gasket, clamps... yeah, the engine performs better but do you really need to have it if you are not in Southern States?

I would even give a pass to oil cooler unless I live in Phoenix, Miami, etc. Not saying I am right, just my 2c

Motive · 11-05-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallroller

I would even give a pass to oil cooler unless I live in Phoenix, Miami, etc. Not saying I am right, just my 2c

I agree, if you're not seeing 100°F+ days in the Summer..and sitting with your feet on the tarmac in traffic, typical air cooling should suffice just fine.

**Dave63** · 11-05-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallroller

I would even give a pass to oil cooler unless I live in Phoenix, Miami, etc. Not saying I am right, just my 2c

I'd say you're right....... Those places are "extreme conditions", and why tempt the premature-death-fairy by over-exceeding oil abilities?

Once you exceed the oil's ratings with heat, it never comes back, even after cooling. I'd rather keep the oil cooler with any method I could then take a chance of sitting somewhere, or paying big bucks for oil starved/failed repairs.

Oil = blood to an engine. People wouldn't think twice about taking water with them into the desert.....

tallroller · 11-05-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave63

I'd say you're right....... Those places are "extreme conditions", and why tempt the premature-death-fairy by over-exceeding oil abilities?

Once you exceed the oil's ratings with heat, it never comes back, even after cooling. I'd rather keep the oil cooler with any method I could then take a chance of sitting somewhere, or paying big bucks for oil starved/failed repairs.

Oil = blood to an engine. People wouldn't think twice about taking water with them into the desert.....

what he said!