oil temp gauge

[tonym]

I'll soon be fitting an oil cooler with thermostat and was wondering whether it was prudent to fit an oil temp gauge too. it would mean redesigning my dash etc. but I'm not sure whether it's worthwhile, what are your thoughts on the matter? I have driven the last three years without either

[wilf]

I like being able to see my oil temp - apart from anything else, I never start to use more than 3000rpm until the oil is up to temp anyway.

The other time you want to know what your oil temp is, would be track days (or following me).

[tonym]

Looking through the web, it is suggested that the temp take off is put into the sump, i can see the logic in that is where the oil will be at it's hottest, but what happens with a stat controlled oil cooler, should the take off still be in the sump or in the "after cooled" part of the system?

[Marc]

You should messure the oil temperature before it runs into the cooler. Best would be the sump but where do you place the sensor?? The drain plug sits to low as any stones could damage the sensor. I have drilled a hole in the Perma-cool sandwich oil adaptor "Summit Part Nr. PRM-185" so I can fit the sensor in it. Works fine, and I always have a proper temp. reading.

[wilf]

Tony - mine is in the hose run from the oil take off plate to the cooler, thus I always see the "hottest" oil temps (straight out of the pump and before the cooler) on the gauge, and I also know that the cooler will take 20C off that temp.
Only downside is that the temp gauge won't register until after the oil stat has opened - but that's how I know the oil is up to temp, see?

[tonym]

That makes perfect sense Wilf, did you have a special take off section or can it be done on standard oil cooler equipment? I was going to put the sensor at the rear of the sump to avoid any damage from stones, speed humps etc.

[Happy Jim]

Tony,

When I had my RV8 I had the sensor in the sump plug - which is really where you want to know what the temp is anyway. Never got buggered or snapped in 3 years of driving.

Rgds

Jim

[Purple AK]

Tone. If you decide to go the "In the Sump" route, Gerry Hawkridge does a Bolt In takeoff for the sump.

[wilf]

Tony - whilst generating a new National Debt by plumbing my entire oilcooler etc. run in -12 aeroquip, I also bought one of their in-line housings that allows for a mechanical temp guage sender to fit in. It also then allowed me to pay for two further hose end fittings, what fun.

Pop round if you want to look at any part of it.

[Bowtie]

I traded amp meter for oil temp. Some say that it only reads the same as the water temp. That might be the case when engine is hot but I do like to be able to monitor both while engine is getting hot. I really don't care if the temp is a bit off as long as I know by how much.

Amp meter would be nice but would probably make dash too crowded. I figured that I only need to know if it stops charging and a warning light is taking care of that...

I did weld a bung in the oil pan for the sensor. That was easy when I had to drop the pan but nothing I was prepared to do until then. I don't know what to do with my new engine. I don't think I will remove the pan just to be able to insert a bung this time. I will probably fabricate a new plug with takeoff for the sensor. Not the perfect location (a bit low and hard to route cable) but probably good enough (until I fit an oil cooler so that I can relocate the sensor to a better spot).

/ Bowtie