MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Oil Coolers

While driving along the motorway yesterday at a steady 80mph I noticed the oil temp sitting around 140C. I know the gauge isn't the most accurate piece of kit in the world, and running a VVC with synthetic oil will lead to higher oil temps. However this did seem high. This lead me to think about the oil coolers I have seen on various web sites, however I have a few questions

1) My car is under warranty will fitting a cooler effect this?
2) I believe the VVC doesn't kick in unless the oil temp is warm enough would this be effected by a cooler.
3) Does a cooler give any performance benefits.
4) Would I have to declare the fact I had a cooler to the insurance company.
5) I've heard running a cooler engine increases the emissions, would I have trouble when the MOT comes around.

Can anyone recommend a good value product.

Many Thanks
Andy
Andy

Andy

What car do you have?

It is a well known fault with the early MY2000 cars that they had the wrong 'resistor' (or something like that) in the oil temperature gauge so causing them to show high readings - such 140 - when the temperature was actually quite a bit lower.

Ted
Ted Newman

Thanks for that, I may be affected I have a V-reg (oct 99) model, it has the alloy interior. Would that put it in the range of affected cars. Would MG change the gauge under warranty or is it not view as a problem?

Is it worth getting a cooler anyway?

Thanks
Andy
Andy

Andy

Sounds as though your car falls nicely into the group with the faulty gauge - I would certainly try and get it changed or rectified and cite the BBS if they (MGR) give you a load of bull.

I think that their is some merit in having an oil cooler but only if you are constantly pushing the car at its limits - ie spend a lot of time on German Autobahns at 130 mph or go in for competitions or do regular track days - many of us find that the gauge does creep up after a lap or three of the Nürburgring!

Ted

Ted
Ted Newman

Andy

You've got the same problem as me and mine's a Sept 99 ex MGR company car and it happily reads 140 on the Motorway when at speed. I'm going to get it fixed at the MOT this month before it drops out of MGR warranty. Its still unnerving when you see the needle creep towards the red. Search the archives, I pulled a load of info to wave at the mechanics

Cheers

DJ
DJ

Hi Andy,

I fully agree with Ted's diagnosis of the high oil temperatures - but having a oil cooler falls into the 'good idea' category, to the extent that MGR has seen fit to install a water/oil cooler to the TF160...

So, to answer your questions:

>>1) My car is under warranty will fitting a cooler effect this?<<

Very good question. Obviously the answer depends on who authorised the work and the type of cooler fitted. If you asked your gargage to install the TF160 cooler, I can't see a reason why your warranty would be effected. But clearly this needs to be further explored.

>>2) I believe the VVC doesn't kick in unless the oil temp is warm enough would this be effected by a cooler.<<

With a water/oil cooler, the heat exchanger would actually lead to a faster oil warm up time, so the opposite effect would be seen. A non-thermostatically controlled air/oil cooler would however have the effect you describe, and would in any case be best avoided on a road car.

>>3) Does a cooler give any performance benefits.<<

No, none. Benefits are increased engine longevity and on emissions (if a water/oil cooler is fitted).

>>4) Would I have to declare the fact I had a cooler to the insurance company.<<

I don't know a reason why you should, however, prudence would dictate that you would inform them of the modification that should not attract any premium penalty.

>>5) I've heard running a cooler engine increases the emissions, would I have trouble when <<

Covered this earlier - but emissions would be increased by an air/oil cooler - that could slow the rate of oil warm up. A water/oil cooler has the opposite effect - warming the oil more rapidly, and reducing emissions.

Hope this helps
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 29/07/2002 and 31/07/2002

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now