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So I've always thought that my 5 ran a little to hot. And i've decided to ask for some opinions. This picture was taken just after a 1 hour trip home 50% was bumper to bumper and the rest normal driving.

I just feel that its not normal and the oil temp gauge just screams at me, I've taken it to mazda several times and also my local mechanic whom has a pretty good reputation out west.

Mind you its very cool this winter and the temp outside was in the low teens.



Just wondering what everyone else things, even my old SW20 didnt run this hot. I've worried because when it hits summer, there might be issues.

Regards

Edit; I know that the oil temp gauge isnt ever exact... but that just doesn't look right..

Mmmm looks to me like it is nudging the high side if it was a temp guage.
I'm slightly suprised that your mechanic didn't let you in on the fact that it's actually a pressure guage, not a temp guage.

The Mazda oil pressure guage is not particularly sensitive, although it does give an indication of the general pressure. Of course, with cooler outside temps, the oil will be slightly thicker and so the guage will read higher.

Bazz

Say wat?? Its a pressure gauge??? fark that's just blew my mind.. Farking you learn something new everyday!

And he didn't even look at the gauge, i just make an off comment when I was there a months back that it was running hotter than expected for a 4... He took it for a drive game back, had a poke around while he was in between cars and did comment that it ran a little hot but otherwise fine.

Looks normal to me. And Woo is correct, that is an oil pressure gauge.

Les @ MX5 Shop

Has anyone (or got photos of someone who has) swapped out the std on/off temp & pressure guages for more accurate ones, or simply added others.

I'm planning to track my car and would prefer to know whats going on rather than guess using the std guages..

connico wrote:Say wat?? Its a pressure gauge??? fark that's just blew my mind.. Farking you learn something new everyday!

And he didn't even look at the gauge, i just make an off comment when I was there a months back that it was running hotter than expected for a 4... He took it for a drive game back, had a poke around while he was in between cars and did comment that it ran a little hot but otherwise fine.

I think you'd best hand over the keys - with a slip up like that you don't deserve such a fine automobile.

Oil temp....... Baaaahahahahahahahahaha

And I'd be looking for a new mechanic. One who knows one end of a ring spanner from the other. Next he'll be telling you that F on the gauge is one better than E, because F is for fast.

Hang your head in shame! If it was a temp gauge it would be numbered.

Didn't you notice it drop down as soon as you popped the car out of gear??

as the others have pointed out it is an oil pressure gauge and it's a dumb one, it basically has 3 settings, no pressure, some pressure, really really really high pressure.
This should be obvious as it studdenly jumps to the same position regardless of engine temps, revs, and when you first start it. It's perfectly normal for it to be where it is in your photo.
There is a method to make it a "proper" gauge instructions are on miata.net, I had a look a while ago but it looked like too much hard work for the gain you would get from it.

If I was looking at going to the track I would be looking at proper temp sensors rather than pressure.

here are a few links to read about the pressure gauge
http://www.miata.net/garage/opg2.html
http://www.miata.net/garage/opg.html#Drake%20Daum
http://www.quadesl.com/miata_oil.html
http://www.mazdaparts.org/mamioilprkit.html

EDIT: this applies to the NB's, earlier NA's had proper gauges.

Uncle Arthur wrote:

connico wrote:And I'd be looking for a new mechanic. One who knows one end of a ring spanner from the other. Next he'll be telling you that F on the gauge is one better than E, because F is for fast.

Lol his a good guy, excellent mechanic infact. And as I said I didnt mention the guage. I've always had a temp gauge for most of my ricers, its just a normal thing for me. As I'm not mechanicially minded I get other people to do most of the things I want. I do enjoy motoring but am at most pretty clueless about the in and outs of an engine.

Which adds another question, do you have to be mechnicially minded to enjoy a sports car?

hot rod wrote:Didn't you notice it drop down as soon as you popped the car out of gear??

And say what?? It drops? Mine only rises lol

Next question.

So whats the normal way to manage the temperature of the oil and engine bay in an mx5. Is it common in a 5 to get a temp gauge. As i've basically promised the other half that his will be the last car I buy without further approval I need it to last till I negotiate my next purchase... which might be a few years away.

connico wrote:So whats the normal way to manage the temperature of the oil and engine bay in an mx5. Is it common in a 5 to get a temp gauge. As i've basically promised the other half that his will be the last car I buy without further approval I need it to last till I negotiate my next purchase... which might be a few years away.

Getting a temp sensor inserted.
Most common seems to be a sandwich plate between the oil filter and engine, often used with a remote oil filter setup, sometimes with oil cooler as well.
A less talked about way is a replacement drain plug with a sensor integrated (also cheaper)
Mount gauge in a vent of your choice.

I would not worry about getting an oil temp gauge unless the car is modified.

Alex wrote:snip

Looks the goods, thanks for the feedback. I was considering a full engine management system that is bluetooth capable but this might be the easy option.

bruce wrote:I would not worry about getting an oil temp gauge unless the car is modified.

Hmm I had considered this as well, but I personally need to know wtf is going on with heat. It just doesn't seem normal to me. Might have to ask for a ride in another 5 and see whats it like in another similar car.

if you are looking to buy an oil pressure gauge kit,

http://www.trackdogracing.com/website/g ... re_kit.htm

bruce wrote:I would not worry about getting an oil temp gauge unless the car is modified.

They are also good for warming up and engine as well as knowing if it's overheating.
If I tracked it or had a heavy foot I would get one so I know when the engine was ready for a good beating .
The stock water temp gauge isn't very accurate either, quite slow as well.