160 Degree Oil Temp : /

[GTIMatt]

Hi 

Bought my first dub, a 90 8v GTI, and it's been running well, but I think there could be a problem with a sensor related to my MFA. The MFA readout is saying my oil temp is 160, which I think is a tad high- but it says this temp as you as you switch the engine on, from cold. Which made me think there could be a sensor problem?

I'm a noob with Golfs so help much appreciated folks

[DarnPB]

160 is very high. I didn't get that in 48 degrees of heat when I lived in Spain. I would check out your sensor as I think it has low resistance. If it goes that high again, dip your oil and see how liquid the oil is. It may also give off a 'hot' smell if it is indeed that hot.

[GTIMatt]

Where abouts will I find the sensor for that?

[Diamond Hell]

On the oil filter housing, unless I'm much mistaken, which I am sometimes....

[Thegolfman]

Nope they are pressure sensors on the oil cooler.

One of the three around the water oulet on the SIDE of the head is for the MFA. They are all the same, and each of the three one pin connection wires can be swapped between each other, so try swapping them round to see if it cures it.

[Skiing]

If it is reading 160 at start up its definitely knackered. Mine read high for ages and then read lower and lower until it went altogether - got a new one from Volkswagen (I think its about £20) - but apparently worth getting genuine sensors as aftermarket ones are not as good (or so I am told). My oil temperature sensor is on the back of the head but my car is a 16v - so not sure where yours should be.

Also, if your water temperature guage is working and not going to hot then am sure you are fine.

[Lap]

I have a 90 8V GTi too. The MFA oil temp sender is in the oil filter housing. It's the small sender and the connector on it looks like the head of a nail if that makes any sense.

I changed mine for a genuine one but not before wasting money on an aftermarket one that didn't read correctly. 

Before you splash out though, perhaps you could try checking the wire first to make sure it hasn't broken or you could try grounding it out and see if that makes any difference. Not sure exactly what to expect but do a search and I'm sure it'll come up. Good luck!

[JimR]

Yeah, the temp sender is on the top of the oil cooler housing, has a green and black wire wire (i think) with a spade connector on it, I'm sure if the wire is earthed then it will show 160 on the display so i would assume the connector has come of the sensor and is earthing on the block somewhere??

[GTIMatt]

Cheers for the help guys but I can't find it 

Anyone got a picture? Is it near the oil breather housing, or the filter?

Golf noob. 

[rubjonny]

as DH said, its on the filter housing on an 8v.
its the small single pin one with a white color, the larger white sensor is the high oil pressure warnign switch, and the o0ne on the side of the head is the low oil pressure warnign switch.