Standard Oil Temp Gauge

[matthewm 1]

I know theres probably no hard and fast answer as they are guessometers, but noticed my after market oil pressure gauge drops as the engine warms up, even though the oil temp gauge doesn't register. (Gauge does work when it gets up to higher temp!)

Anyone have any idea approx what temperature the needle starts to move at, and which points on the gauge equate to which temperature.

Thanks.

[Ryan 99]

Many of the European GTIs came with numbers on the gauges, but for some reason they were removed for the UK.

 

There's an article with the guage figures on the main site here:

http://www.205gtidrivers.com/articles/m-instrumentpanel.html

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

This has BX outer gauges fitted which seem to show similar positions as the 205 gauge, needs a long run to get to around 90 it seems.

 

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

It's strange how there's so many variations of these similar/same clocks! Oil temp calibration seems to be the same although the water temp seems different BX vs 205. Think the actual temp indicated is the same though; running a 75degress thermostat, mine used to sit at about 10am (just above 70) and with the BX ones sits at 12oclock (75).

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Depends on if you have an oil cooler and which type, and the sump you have.

 

My old 1.9 with the oil/water remote cooler used to bring the oil temperature quite quickly. Whereas my current Mi will hardly budge if I take it easy (under 4k) on my 13miles drive home from work, thats with an alloy '6' sump.

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

Yea that's true forget that the later ones had water/oil exhanger - needs an in-line thermostat really on the air oil cooler.

[Weser 30]

Both my 1.6 and 1.9 sit at a 1/4 up once well warmed up. This is a while after the oil pressure decreases!

 

On my 13 mile commute they dont get to the 1/4 position

[matthewm 1]

Thanks guys, more interested in what temp is where on the gauge, rather than were it should be etc.

Both the euro and bx gauge seem to match, seen as I'm getting a fair bit over 100 when competitive it could be time to go up to a 13 row jobby!

[welshpug 1,657]

what do you call a fair bit over 100c?

 

the standard 1.9 air/oil cooler is more than sufficient for most, more often than not they tend to overcool.

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

IMO they overcool under normal/light/cool day driving because they're not thermostatically controlled so the oil is constantly flowing round a bit like having no thermostat in the cooling system, but once under hard use on track that becomes kind of irrelevant and the cooling capacity of the cooler is then easily tested.

 

Just over 100degrees is perfectly normal for oil temp though under slightly harder use, its only over prolonged 130 you might want to worry?

[matthewm 1]

Going by the numbers on the gauges above, around 125/130deg when pushing hard on a long tight section.

As you say more often than not its fine/overcooled at around the 80 - 90mark, but tends to cut out at controls when temp is right up.

I know brumster used to run a 19 row, was thinking of going for a 16, any thoughts guys?

[large 33]

What oil cooler are you running now?

How are you getting the oil so hot driving at an average of 30MPH?