rotorbrain

i ran a search, but evidently i suck. . . cause im pretty sure this has been covered.

anyways, ive been noticing my oil temps NOT reaching 180F while driving around. i dont recall ever having this problem until lately (last couple months). it only moves up to 180F if i let it sit and idle for a while. then, while driving, it can/will stick at around 140F.

i always thought there was a bypass valve in the stock system. am i wrong on this? is this normal operation, and im just a wierdo?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Are you using a stock oil cooling setup or an aftermarket setup?

rotorbrain

stock. non r1/r2

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

If you have fairly cold weather (seeing 30's or maybe lower) and you are running a heavy weight oil, I could see that happening.

rotorbrain

well, i kinda thought that may have been the deal, but its been in the 70's just about all this week. i run 10w-30. i wonder if i have the sensor in a bad spot. its located in the banjo bolt for the oil cooler line located at the top of the engine (under the oil filter pedestal). i cant remember if thats the return line or not.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

That's where my oil temp sender is, and my oil temps are usually around the current water temp. They'll creep up when I'm sitting at a light, but drop VERY fast when I get moving again.

Dale

Speed of light

iTrader: (8)

According to the Mazda shop manual, the stock oil thermostat opens at 140 degrees (F), which would correlate your observations.

rynberg

Personally, I think the sensor isn't in the full oil stream to get temps that low with a single stock cooler.

poss

iTrader: (5)

If it's mounted in the banjo bolt, it can't help but be in the oil stream.