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MG MGF Technical - Oil temperature question

I am wondering why the oil temperaure gauge in my F (58K miles) reads slightly higher now than it did years ago?. Specifically when I first owned it (1999) and for a few years after, it used to indicate just below the first graduation (from the driver's viewpoint) when running at normal cruising speeds , now normally just a smidgeon above the same mark.

Possibilities that come to mind:

-We are nowadays on a fully synthetic oil, in the old days not (Castrol Magnatec). Maybe synthetic
lubricant runs a little hotter?

- As the engine is a bit older and parts inevitably worn resulting eg in greater clearances, maybe more of the oil is going through hot places? (No oil is consumed however and it never darkens, always light honey-coloured at annual change -low annual mileage!)

- Maybe the sensitivity of the sender has changed with age?

I am not concerned, as the reading is still quite acceptably low and is always steady, but I am curious.
Any ideas please?
Dave Welsh

The K Series handles mileage remarkably well, so I wouldn't expect the clearances to have changed much in such a low mileage. The oil temperature gauge & senders do vary a little from car to car, so the possibility of the reading appearing higher without there actually being a change in temperature is certainly there. And perhaps there are some tiny changes - as the alloy of the engine block oxidises and collects grime, it may be transferring less heat to atmosphere than when it was new.
bandit

I would tend to agree with you both - may be the properties of the oil, and the drift in calibration of the temperature sender.
Rob Bell

Thanks guys - the idea of heat transfer from block (and sump? changing is an interestng - and I believe valid - one but I would have thought rather subtle? No worries
Dave Welsh

This thread was discussed between 22/05/2010 and 25/05/2010

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