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MG MGF Technical - Oil Temp - low reading - should I worry?

My oil temperature gauge barely registers, even after long runs. My water temp gauges gets up to normal within a few miles, and stays there. I have never worried about the low oil temp reading, but someone told me that the engine management system uses this input to optimise performance? My car is a ’96 MGF (not VVC), 62000 miles, and runs extremely well. Any advice?
Nev

Could well be that the oil temperature sender is at fault - a high resistance reading means low temperature, so if there is a dirty connection (high resistance) or the sender is faulty, you get a falsely low temperature recording.

This is a problem that besets the temperature gauge and the ECU temperature sensor too.
Rob Bell

I have exactly the same situation with my 1998 MGF with 68k on the clock, water temp is fine but oil pressure hardly moves at all, again car runs very well so doesnt seem to be a problem!!
John Bowler

Hi Rob, So the ECU uses a different temperature sensor? Where is it located and how would I know if there was a problem with this? Many thanks.
Nev

the vvc has a sensor in the mech, the mpi does not care about oil temp
Will Munns

Nev, the ECU monitors water temperature on the MPi - as Will says, the ECU only monitors oil temperature on VVC equipped cylinder heads.

John, there isn't an oil pressure gauge - I presume you mean oil temperature?
Rob Bell

as a matter of interest what should the oil temperature reading be (I have a 96 model, 51K miles)
M Brazier

Well mine only moves slightly during the quick 15 min or so run into work. On a long high speed (!!) journey, it steadily rises and then holds it about 120 - which I think is normal surely? Oil needs to be up to temp but we don't want it in the red!!

Fiona
Fiona

Yes sorry I meant temperature not pressure!!
Mine only moves slightly, registers no more than 70 degrees - is this ok??
John Bowler

Seems low to me, mines like Fiona's after a run settles at 120, suggest you get yours checked ie sensor.
Ian Hunter

I shouldn't worry too much. I checked mine with a digital probe, and the instrument showed the car reading was way too high.
As long as it doesn't suddenly shoot up and stays where it normally sits, I would think everything is fine.
Only if you are really fussy, there is a check on the resistance of the probe on Dieter's site to get a more accurate reading!
Jerry Herbert

This thread was discussed between 11/04/2006 and 18/04/2006

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