Author Topic: adding a tach  (Read 6390 times)

August 19, 2016, 11:09:47 am

countryguyvw

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adding a tach
« on: August 19, 2016, 11:09:47 am »
I have a 1985 vw golf diesel. With the standard dash. The clock has stopped working so I was wondering if I could swap it out with a tachometer with the fuel gauge at the bottom from a gas car. Any in put would be very much appreciated.



Reply #1August 19, 2016, 04:00:41 pm

libbydiesel

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2016, 04:00:41 pm »

Reply #2August 21, 2016, 11:00:52 am

countryguyvw

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2016, 11:00:52 am »
Thank you very much. I really appreciate that.
Did they make a diesel tach?

Reply #3August 21, 2016, 04:49:30 pm

air-cooled or diesel

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2016, 04:49:30 pm »
i swear there was a topic on crank-pick-up. any how also look in faq's. maybe theres more for you there.
                                                     (^tach)

Reply #4August 21, 2016, 05:42:56 pm

libbydiesel

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2016, 05:42:56 pm »
Thank you very much. I really appreciate that.
Did they make a diesel tach?

Yes, a diesel tach from a similar year would work with a w-terminal connection.  I've added a couple w-terminal to alts that did not come with them. 

Reply #5August 22, 2016, 11:18:58 am

countryguyvw

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2016, 11:18:58 am »
Thanks a lot I really appreciate it.
My alternator is already equipped with the "W" terminal. To control the blasted dynamic oil pressure warning system. Which is a nether problem I have to fix. Have a gauge on it right now have around 20 psi on the head when hot. At speed. But when I stop it buzzes and flashes. Something on the board has gone our from my research,
I have a 1985 vw golf diesel, what do you recommend I look for for a diesel tach? 

Reply #6August 22, 2016, 02:29:36 pm

libbydiesel

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2016, 02:29:36 pm »
20psi for hot cruise is dangerously low unless you're spinning less than 2000 rpms when you cruise.  It should buzz at that pressure.  Oil pressure spec is: Oil pressure, minimum at 2000 rpms with SAE 10W oil at 140°F = 28psi.  There's a bit of safety factor built in, but if you're below 20 psi you are risking tossing a rod.  You should fix your engine, not disable the warning system.   

Reply #7August 23, 2016, 10:54:22 am

countryguyvw

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2016, 10:54:22 am »
That is part of the reason I want tach I don't know what my rpm is all I know is that at 55 to 60 MPH in 5 gear it is between 20 and 25 psi on the side of the head. Hot.
When I get to a stop lightand stop it drops to about 6-8 psi. On the head.

Reply #8August 23, 2016, 11:02:27 am

air-cooled or diesel

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2016, 11:02:27 am »
That is part of the reason I want tach I don't know what my rpm is all I know is that at 55 to 60 MPH in 5 gear it is between 20 and 25 psi on the side of the head. Hot.
When I get to a stop lightand stop it drops to about 6-8 psi. On the head.
how are you telling your oil pressure, analog gauge, or electronic sender? is it a dash mounted gauge? the 6-8 psi hot at head is low. the 20-25psi hot @head(upto speed) is well and low, your running her pretty hard at that oil pressure.

Reply #9August 25, 2016, 11:24:43 am

countryguyvw

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2016, 11:24:43 am »
I am using a mechanical gauge. Just a cheap after market like you buy at an auto parts store. I drove it to town yesterday and watched the gauge closer. The lowest it got was 25 psi at speed, 8 to 10 at the stop light after about two hours of driving. I'm running 10-40 amsoil synthetic diesel oil.
When I bought the car I was told the engine had just been rebuilt. And the head does look new.

Reply #10August 25, 2016, 03:04:09 pm

air-cooled or diesel

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2016, 03:04:09 pm »
one of the reasons i ask is there have been differing results with different gauges, or sensors. a mechanical gauge is a '+', a cheap one, not so much. you may be getting an accurate enough reading,(although the variation in readings may be due to a/your 'cheap' gauge).
When I get to a stop lightand stop it drops to about 6-8 psi. On the head.
this reading is about the minimum, for the 10w oil your running its probably low, or at the minimum.
The lowest it got was 25 psi at speed, 8 to 10 at the stop light after about two hours of driving. I'm running 10-40 amsoil synthetic diesel oil.
 
the 8-10 hot @idle@head is better, than previous 6-8 reading; but the 25psi at 55mph or so, is a real problem, its minimum. with your 10w oil it maybe below min.
When I bought the car I was told the engine had just been rebuilt. And the head does look new.
with your oil readings i dont know how much you put in this, it could be cheap parts went into "rebuild" i ll call work, it could be something went wrong and wasnt put back together right, or something is coming apart.
one piece of advice, that i cannt really be sure of; no telling whats going on in there, until you pull it apart; i wouldnt run it much, until you figure out whats going on, you may have a modest bill there, and not too much work, if something gives, you may lose more of your motor.

Reply #11August 26, 2016, 10:54:21 am

countryguyvw

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2016, 10:54:21 am »
After I bought it I wound up rebuilding the rest of the car. Struts, shocks,brakes, tail lights, paint, fuel filter, alternator, speedometer, seat covers, some of the relays, thermostat, and last Monday a nether new injector pump. OUTCH.
I never had a problem with the warning light or anything until I changed the oil the first time and I have been dealing with it ever since. It doesn't use a drop of oil in the five years I have had it. And when it starts up it has 75 to 80 psi on the head. Over 100 on the filter housing.

Reply #12August 26, 2016, 09:25:39 pm

air-cooled or diesel

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #12 on: August 26, 2016, 09:25:39 pm »
After I bought it I wound up rebuilding the rest of the car. Struts, shocks,brakes, tail lights, paint, fuel filter, alternator, speedometer, seat covers, some of the relays, thermostat, and last Monday a nether new injector pump. OUTCH.
I never had a problem with the warning light or anything until I changed the oil the first time and I have been dealing with it ever since. It doesn't use a drop of oil in the five years I have had it. And when it starts up it has 75 to 80 psi on the head. Over 100 on the filter housing.
yea an injpump can hurt the pockets, as far as cold oil pressure, doesnt do that much, you have plenty, hot oil pressure reading is what you want, and from esp. your running speed reading your dangerously low. so youve had the car for 5 yrs? bought from prev owner who claims to have done some kind of freshen or work. so when did you first change oil? since you state youve had car for 5yrs? 1 oil change in 5yrs? either that or youve been dealing with sometype of low or oil pressure problem for years? which cannt be good.

Reply #13August 27, 2016, 10:58:06 am

countryguyvw

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2016, 10:58:06 am »
Yes I have had the car coming on six years now. I bought it through a middle man who said he was a "VW mechanic" I have my doubts. He said that the guy who owned it had had the engine rebuilt by a nether guy.
Whether true or not well apperantly it ain't. I changed the oil about two weeks after I bought the car. And that is when it all started.
I did do some research at the time and found that I had low but what I thought was safe oil pressure.
Is there anything I can do short of an overhaul?
Just did that last year on a 1963 Ford falcon. 144 straight 6. Almost 2k with the work to short block it do the valves as well as the kit.

Reply #14September 11, 2016, 10:44:05 pm

air-cooled or diesel

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Re: adding a tach
« Reply #14 on: September 11, 2016, 10:44:05 pm »
one thing that can be a cause and/or contribute to (lo oil pressure) is bad im shaft bearings(intermediate shaft). among other causes, contributors.

 

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