Thread: Outside Ambient Air Temp gauge probe location

I think on the later P38A, it was located behind the front bumper.

There is a real problem where to locate this on any car - one reason I decided not to bother!

To give a realistic reading while parked, it needs to be open to the air, and not in the sun (regardless of where the sun is), not exposed to radiation off the road, and not exposed to engine heat. While driving, much less critical, as high airflow will make radiation heating insignificant. Just needs to be well clear of the road.

And needs to be not likely to catch on sticks etc.

Yes. The early P38A had it in a location (in an air duct) that would get hot and the correct temp wasn't measured until the car had been driving for a while. That was fine in the UK!

Exactly right and considerations I’ve factored in hence, where do I put it?

In all my tinkering all these years, I’m not aware of ever seeing a temp probe on any vehicle.
They’re well hidden/located on most vehicles. Im thinking of in the door frame or along the Safari snorkel somewhere, but I want it to be hidden for obvious reasons.👍

Originally Posted by JDNSW;[URL="tel:3178557"

3178557[/URL]]There is a real problem where to locate this on any car - one reason I decided not to bother!

To give a realistic reading while parked, it needs to be open to the air, and not in the sun (regardless of where the sun is), not exposed to radiation off the road, and not exposed to engine heat. While driving, much less critical, as high airflow will make radiation heating insignificant. Just needs to be well clear of the road.

And needs to be not likely to catch on sticks etc.

Disco2 is between the bumper and radiators as well.

What are you using the info for?

Just to satisfy your curiosity when driving, then out of the sun, in the airflow.
Behind the grill, but in front of the radiators, or in the snorkel will give you what the engines getting.

If it's for when camping then get something you can hang in a tree.

Our Subaru must have two, as the OBD II reader can be 5 deg different to the dash display.

Tony

Just for an idea on the outside temp for my info.
‘I’m happy with engine temp monitoring that’s fitted to my vehicle.

Originally Posted by TonyC

What are you using the info for?

Just to satisfy your curiosity when driving, then out of the sun, in the airflow.
Behind the grill, but in front of the radiators, or in the snorkel will give you what the engines getting.

If it's for when camping then get something you can hang in a tree.

Our Subaru must have two, as the OBD II reader can be 5 deg different to the dash display.

Tony

Most are fitted behind the grill so they are only accurate when the vehicle is moving.

If you are also monitoring the air entering the engine,that will be pretty close to ambient most of the time,but only when the vehicle is moving,as at idle it will read higher due to heat in the engine bay heating up airbox,etc.

I monitor both on the vehicle we have and when moving are generally within a degree or two of each other.