oil temperature

[van ordinaire]

Having an oil temp guage is a novelty for me, so not really sure what to make of the information it provides. What I had noticed however, was that 100° seemed to be "Normal" as there it consistantly stayed (this, despite the fact that the water temp. guage suggested the engine never got up to temp, as it struggled to hit 80°).

Driving back up to London this evening, having done an oil change over the w/e, after, maybe, the 1st 100 miles the oil temp started to climb, although it seemed to be entirely speed related (which sort of makes sense), even in time I was stopped at a light controlled roundabout the guage dropped to 100° - & only started to move as I accelerated out of the roundabout & at the camera enforced rather more sedate progress on the M25 it reverted to a steady 100° i.e. just like it always used to. What am I to make of all this, do I have cause for concern?

[xantia_v6]

The main cooling system does a good job of cooling the cylinder bores and the head, and is regulated by the thermostat.

The pistons, con rod bearings and main bearings are cooled by the oil, with no real control mechanism.

Oil is good for reasonably high temperatures, and you should not have any concern about the gauge climbing over 100°. On the V6 engine, in summer 110° is usual for cruising on the Autoroute, and I have seen 140° on a really hot day in the mountains.

[van ordinaire]

Thanks for that reassurance, it's just that it seemed a little odd (to say the least) that this marked change in behaviour came immediately after its 1st oil change.