ur-quattro oil temp thermostat question

[Anton <anton_gaidos@mentorg.com>]

 I was just talking to my mechanic about the oil temp on my car and he raised an interesting question. He asked at what temperature does the oil thermostat open up for the oil to pass through the cooler.
 While I am thinking an electrical problem maybe taking place he is thinking maybe what is happening is the thermostat is opening and cooling down the oil giving the sudden lower temp reading.
 This makes sense because I am only seeing this phenomenon early in the morning when outside air temp is in the 50s F. In the afternoons the oil temp gauge is very consistent but in the mornings it gets up to 100-110c then suddenly drops to 60-70c.
 Perhaps the oil thermostat is opening allowing the oil temp to cool down. Comments?
Thanks
Anton 

Anton J. Gaidos, III
Mentor Graphics, Silicon Valley Headquarters
San Jose, Ca.

-----Original Message-----
From:	Anton [SMTP:anton_gaidos@mentorg.com]
Sent:	Friday, July 10, 1998 7:56 AM
To:	Quattro List (E-mail)
Subject:	'85, newer ur-quattro oil temp question

I seem to be developing an intermittent oil temp gauge problem. I doubt it's the bar graph gauge but more likely a short in a wire or failing sending unit. Is the sensor on the oil pump housing the sending unit for the oil temp gauge? If not where?
Thanks
Anton

Anton J. Gaidos, III
Mentor Graphics, Silicon Valley Headquarters
San Jose, Ca.