Author Topic: Pressure/temp gauge install help (Read 3949 times)

zagarus · « **on:** May 09, 2007, 10:42:19 am »

alright, so i got me an oil temperature and oil pressure gauge for my car. However, i have no bloody clue where to put the sensors. Im hoping some of you running extra gauges can help me out.

Thanks

Darth Garry · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2007, 11:09:43 am »

I put my oil pressure gauge on the side of the head. There is also a sender port on the oil filter flange on some cars, which can be used for the stock sender.

Garry

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2007, 11:54:40 am »

You're going to find it's a bit tricky to retain the stock dynamic oil pressure lite as well as a pressure and temp gauge, especially with a turbo since the oil line to the turbo (a) uses one of the ports on the filter flange and (b) hogs enough room that the pressure sensor doesn't fit on the flange.

Most people end up either deleting one or more of the stock switches *or* use a tricky series of T-fittings to put stuff in place.

Me personally: I want really good flow past my temp sender (so no T on the sender) and I want it where it can get really hot, so I've deleted the oil pressure switch on the driver side of the head and installed the temp sensor there. Downside: no oil pressure warning light below 2000 RPM... ok in my books 'cause I have a gauge.

I then use an extension hose and manifold to run the new oil pressure sender and the original oil pressure switch off the oil filter flange. This gives me the gauge and a bright red light if I'm asleep. Downside: the pressure is highest at this point so if the pump is on the edge some day (ie pressure not making it up to the head properly) I won't know. Solution: 36mm pumps are cheap and run a long long time... when ever I rebuild I replace the pump on spec.

Someday I'll figure out a way to tap into the line to the turbo and install my temp sender there... at which point I'll likely move the pressure sender to the head for a "worst-case" reading.

Vince

Vince

zagarus · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2007, 04:42:47 pm »

thanks alot! ya i managed to use a t-fitting on the oil filter flange and installed the oil pressure sensor there. THe oil temp sensor i also placed on a t-fitting up on the drivers side of the head. I dont think its working properly there cause the oil temp gauge hasnt gone past 180 F and it doesnt seem to react very well. I might just do what you did and delete the oil pressure sensor on the head until a new solution is found.

Thanks a lot for your help

jtanguay · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2007, 05:33:41 pm »

what are your coolant temps though??? remember that you have an oil cooler that will keep oil temps down...

zagarus · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2007, 05:38:11 pm »

water temp is the next one i want to get as well as an EGT, but i have no more room!! and i really dont want an A pillar pod.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2007, 06:43:17 pm »

Yup, with the tee on the oil temp sensor you're not getting much (if any) flow past the sensor so it will not be very responsive and will probably read a bit low... especially if it's at end of the T.

Next time I have a head apart I may summon enough courage to actually tap a new hole just for the oil temp sensor... or as I said, figure out a way to tee into the turbo line... it's an M12 fitting which is a bit harder to find than the typical M10 tee that VDO sell.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2007, 06:44:15 pm »

Vince if you want a spare head to toy around with IM me

zagarus · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2007, 08:08:07 am »

wouldnt pressure be best at the filter flange seeing as its closest to the oil pump?

and temperature on the side of the head so you know whats going on right near the pistons?

how much of a difference in readings do you think the different locations actually make? a big one?

should have pressure on both locations as well as temp haha, just make the whole damn interior gauges lol

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2007, 08:30:56 am »

I think what we're saying is that there are various schools of thought and ya have to balance between convenience (where the holes are and what sensors will physically fit) and the purity of the science.

The good news is that it's all good... just know where your gauges are when you're trying to figure out what they mean. For example, if your oil pressure is on the head you know that it's near the end of the line and will be lower than what you might see at the filter flange.

In my experience problems are usually not all that subtle... a hot engine looks like a hot engine no matter where the sensor is ! No matter where you plumb the sensors you will be way better off than waiting for the flashing red lights.

Andrew: would you say having the temp sensor on the filter flange is post -cooler or pre-cooler ?

Vince

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2007, 07:03:30 pm »

'Course like anything you can go a bit nuts. I've seen race cars with 8 EGT sensors... one for each cylinder. And yes, the team would tune the mixture, adjust the porting, etc, to get consistency across all 8 sensors.