Oil cooling question

[DARISC]

I understand that, to a large degree, our motors are oil cooled.

I'm idly wondering how much oil has to be in the tank just to lube the moving parts.

Put another way, in a cold climate, wherein the oil temp. doesn't come up to the temp. that it does in a warm climate, how low could the oil level get (while still registering a safe temp. reading on the guage) without compromising engine lubrication?

[daepp]

I'm no expert, but flat 4 air/oil cooled VW's existed for decades on 2.5 quarts of oil.

[jbrand540]

Consider that theoretically the larger amount of oil availabe the better contaminates will be diluted throughout the oil. This can really effect the longevity.

If I remember right the engines hold roughly 3-4 quarts internally so I would assume that you would want atleast 6-7 quarts additional in the tank to account for oil in the lines and allow enough oil for 1 complete circulation.

Personally I would not risk anything more then a quart or so below spec.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by jbrand540

Personally I would not risk anything more then a quart or so below spec.

Oh, I definitley agree! Just an admittedly idle question.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by daepp

I'm no expert, but flat 4 air/oil cooled VW's existed for decades on 2.5 quarts of oil.

That's a wet sump engine.