What could cause the engine oil temperature and cylinder head temperature gauge to exceed normal operating range?

Using too much power with the mixture set too lean can lead to overheating of the engine, which is reflected in elevated engine oil temperature and cylinder head temperature gauges. When the mixture is lean, there is less fuel in the air-fuel mixture, which can cause the combustion temperatures to rise significantly. This increase in combustion temperature can lead to excessive heat transfer to the cylinder heads and engine oil, thereby surpassing the normal operating temperature range.

In contrast, using a rich mixture typically cools the engine and helps maintain normal operating temperatures. While external temperatures and fuel contamination can impact overall engine performance, they do not directly correlate with the specific condition of exceeding normal operating temperature due to a lean mixture combined with high power settings. Understanding the importance of proper mixture settings in conjunction with power settings is crucial for effective engine management.