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MG MGF Technical - correct oil temp on gauge

ive recently bought a MGF 1.8 VVC with 42,000miles the car had a cambelt change at 40,000miles and major service. What should be the "normal" temp on the oil gauge at 70mph?
Chris

Mine a 98 VVC using Mobil One sits just under the second line in the first quadrant. When racing she sits just under the halfway mark. My oil temp has not changed in 4 years and 65000km of hard driving.
Andrew W Regens

my oil indicator is at the halfway mark all the time (after warming up)and when i put my foot down to 90mph it goes just pass the half way mark! is this normal or should i get it checked out? (guess being paranoid because of all the problems that can occur )
Chris

Hi,

Mine sits just under the second line in the first quadrant as Andrews does however it didn't move when i had my HGF !!!
Jeff Wilson

Don't your gauges have figures on them? Mine rises to around 90 - 100 degrees, but only after 10 miles or more. Chris, I'm glad to see you aren't revving the engine hard until the oil temp has come up. It is quite normal for the oil temp to fluctuate with how hard the engine is working. Make it work hard and it gets hotter, but that's what's supposed to happen.
Mike Howlett

mine sits at 120 deg after 15/20 miles of normal driveing 60/70 miles an hour
sr foster 81

Jeff, I am taking a guess that yours is not a VVC. Your gauge is reading high but if youlook through the archives or Dieter's site you will find that it needs a resister and this will help in showing the correct oil temp.
Andrew W Regens

the temp is way past the 120 degree mark it sites about 130/140 degrees at 70mgh! any further suggestions? i will test it tomorrow as im going on a 3 hour drive (got a course) and get the correct reading!
Chris

Andrew,

I am not good with degree's but it sits around the second red mark..
Jeff Wilson

I have today driven in 33C heat for some 40km and my oil temp stayed at the 80degree mark. About 15km were on motorways sitting at 120kmph. Jeff and Chris I feel your temp is to high BUT I think you should look through the archives because it should be a simple fix. What oil brand and type do you both run?.
Andrew W Regens

The other thing to consider is how accurate is the gauge? I suspect these electric gauges could well be miles out. Anyone know how to check it out easily?
Mike Howlett

Hi,

I asked the garage about this and they say it's fine it sits at about 90 which is the norm, they also said don't rely on this gague too much as it is slow to respond..
Jeff Wilson

just come back from my long journey. The oil gauge sat at 130 degrees all the time! Car ran perfect but still thinking it is showing to high?
Chris

Chris have you been to one of the essex roadsters meetings yet 1st thursday of the month dick turpin 3rd thursday of the month halfway house from eight onwards
sr foster 81

i havnt yet! i know of it only had my Car 4 weeks!I have to come down to one of them. I was considering it so one of you guys can have a look at the oil gauge to stop my paranoid brain!
Chris

There was a batch of cars - can not remember the period - where the oil temperature gauge was always showing 'high'. If I remember correctly there was a cure but most people had the gauges changed.

I am sure there will be something in the archives about it - just become a member (doesn't cost anything) then you can do a search.
Ted Newman

Signed up! found the archive cheers! there was a problem with the thermestat on the 2000 models! gonna find some where to get it repaired! any recommendations in the essex area?!
Chris

Hmm
I gave up on the gauge - never ever gone above 60 and that is after a 200 km trip with speeds up to 180kph. Car has done 78,000k and still as good as gold. One thing in my favour -I live on top of a hill and it is about 2km before you can biff it and by that time the water temp is at operating temp.

David Richards

David

The water temperature comes up very quickly with these cars.

Wait until the oil temp comes up before you "biff it".

James
James Reinhardt

I had a very high oil temp for ages, and having a 2000 model I though I would have to do the dieter resister fix.
BUT!!!

It was found that my radiator was well past its best, and had it replaced with the Mike Satur one, and now it sits very chilled out indeed.

I would investigate all avenues before simply sticking a resistor in the Fs Electrics.

Just my opinion anyway....
P Shepherd

This thread was discussed between 20/02/2007 and 27/02/2007

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