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MG MGF Technical - Oil Temperature

Hi,

Being new to the MGF and having an oil temperature gauge, I wondered what the average temperatures should be for say, easy town driving, hacking it through country lanes through the gears, and moderate to highish speed motorway driving (70 - 90mph)?

I've noticed that around town, it sits just above 90, country lanes it fluctuates which I expected but on the motorway, after about 20 minutes it's standing at 12 o'clock (130 - 140 ish?). Should I be worried?

Cheers

Mik
M Bartram

There seems to be variation between MPi and VVC cars, a lot of variation between gauges and type of oil you use makes a difference too. It's more useful as a comparison to what's normal for your car and for working out when the oil's warm enough to start being -umm- enthusiastic. ;) FWIW, on my '96 VVC with Mobil 1 oil it sits at just under 90 around town and goes up to about 120 on a long fast run. I always take it easy with the loud pedal until it's reached at least 60.

HTH,
Tim.
Tim Jenner

There was a fix which involves a resistor if the gauge is reading high (there were a batch)
Will Munns

It's a 1.8i on a 99 V plate. I've checked the oil level and it's fine. I got the car a month ago from an MG Rover dealer. They've given me a years warranty on it and had it serviced prior to collection so I've no idea on what oil is in it. I don't go over 3000rpm until it's hit 60 and on the motorway rarely go above 4000rpm. Guess that it might be the gauge reading high .

Thanks folks
M Bartram

About 120 on my 1.8 mpi
Robert
R J Hemphill

I had the gauge changed on my MY2000 1.8i after some muppet stole the radio and half the centre console!

The old one never rose above 100, regardless. The new one sits at 90 to 100 under normal conditions, and then goes to 135 (12 o'clock) on sustained fast driving.

HTH.

Sam
Sam Murray

Mine doesn't seem to rise much above 90
M Frost

As a ball park Oil will tend to be 1.4 above water temp with WOT.

Synthetic oil will run cooler say 10-20% due to film strength.

Paul
Paul

>> As a ball park Oil will tend to be 1.4 above water temp with WOT. <<

What's 'WOT' Paul - and 1.4 above water temp? 1.5C higher?

Mik, it does seem that your gauge is reading a little high. Is your F an MY2000 model? If so, then it may have the over-reading gauge problem that Will alludes to. Simple fix.

FWIW, mine reads around 90 when warm, and doesn't really go very much higher (never over 120) when used on the road, what ever the driving conditions. On a track day, the oil temperature will read higher (maybe over 120) - but that really is rather extreme conditions...
Rob Bell

Wide Open Throttle (WOT)
Test with V8 say Water 90deg Oil 126deg

Paul
Paul

my my2000 vvc model, oil gauge does tend to rise to 12oclock, and stays there pretty permanently even in town or motorway traffic. It isn't a problem is it?
A Hall

My my200 1.8i sits at 90 most of the time, rising to 100 after a slow sit in hot traffic
D Helm

>> Wide Open Throttle (WOT)
Test with V8 say Water 90deg Oil 126deg <<

Ah, thanks Paul - so oil temp is 1.4 times water temp at full throttle...
Rob Bell

>so oil temp is 1.4 times water temp at full throttle

Sustained full throttle, with or without forced air flow around the engine?
Will Munns

Thanks for the comments folks but...should myself and Andrea be worried about our oil temp rising to 12 o'clock? Should I get it looked at? Went for a calm country ride yesterday doing no more than an average of 45mph for about 1/2 hour, still got to 12 o'clock. Was very hot weather though.

Ta

Mik
M Bartram

For the moment forget it, however part of the MOT is emmisions which requires sticking a probe into the oil (thru the dipstick tube), if you are there for it you can tally the real calibrated value against what you see in the cockpit.
Will Munns

Cheers Will, helps put the mind to rest.

Mik
M Bartram

Mik - chances are that your gauge is over-reading. There is a simple fix for it - as elluded to earlier in the thread. To be sure, then Will's suggestion will nail it...
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 21/05/2004 and 01/06/2004

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