Miata Mailing List: April 1999, Message #47

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My coolant gauge will show normal range after about 3-4 mins of around town
driving.  The oil temp OTOH, takes considerably longer time to warm up.  For
instance, with the coolant gauge in it's normal possition, the oil temp
needle hasn't moved off the 120F peg yet and takes about another 5 mins of
freeway speeds to get well off the peg.  I try to stay out of boost until
the oil is at least to ~140F range which takes at least 10 mins.

All this is on my 104K mile '90 with Castrol Syntec 5w-50 FWIW.

Ralph Alder
Tustin, CA
'90 Classic Red w/Yellow Stripes
Team  Aerodyne

-----Original Message-----
From: Machemer C Conrad Civ <carl.machemer@swc.schriever.af.mil>
To: Multiple recipients of list <miata@list.miata.net>
Date: Wednesday, March 31, 1999 20:49
Subject: Engine Oil Temperature


>To All;
> As one of those who "babies" his Miata, at least until it is warmed
>up, I have a couple of engineering questions for you.  First, does the oil
>warm up faster than, as fast as, or slower than the coolant (i.e. if the
>temperature [coolant] needle shows the engine is "warm," is the oil warmed
>up as well?)?  I am running 10W30 oil and want to make sure that I don't
get
>too "froggy" with the throttle until the engine is thoroughly warmed up.
>Thanks
> Carl
>Machemer, '97 "Lil White Dragon."
>
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