Oil temperature gauge

[TheTree]

Hi

I am thinking of adding an oil temperature gauge to my beastie.

There seems to be a couple of options;

a) I note some D2's seem to have a blanking plug in the sump, but not the V8's. I read one guy drilled and tapped a P38 sump but I am hesitant to do that.

b) A spacer/adapter which fits under the oil filter and has connections for temperature and pressure sensors.

As usual I am looking for suggestions and opinions (never a shortage of those) :p

Thanks,
Steve

[benji]

Very interested in doing the same thing myself. I was thinking of putting the sensor on the intake side of the oil cooler, as at the filter it would give a cooler reading.

Dad's 77 had oil temp and pressure, and they were great.

[TheTree]

Benji,

I thought about the same thing, but it doesn't seem to be a ready made option.

The oil filter adapter plate looks the best option, I just need to double check clearances, but given the Z9 filter fits OK it should all work.

Another option I saw had a tapped sump plug, but i don't like the idea of a wire coming out of the bottom of the sump :eek:

Am considering putting Voltage, Oil Pressure and Oil Temp gauges in a pod, in the center of the dash where that useless mat is :wasntme:
Something like a set of these so they match the look :cool:

New 4 Gauge Set with Senders VDO Type Oil Temp Fuel Volt | eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251047003817)

Regards
Steve

[FANTOM P38]

Try this, been thinking about similar thing -
Blue Oil Pressure Temperature Temp Gauge Filter Sandwich Plate Sensor 1 8 NPT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Oil-Pressure-Temperature-Temp-Gauge-Filter-Sandwich-Plate-Sensor-1-8-NPT-/281073230358?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4171452216&vxp=mtr)

[DT-P38]

Try this, been thinking about similar thing -
Blue Oil Pressure Temperature Temp Gauge Filter Sandwich Plate Sensor 1 8 NPT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Oil-Pressure-Temperature-Temp-Gauge-Filter-Sandwich-Plate-Sensor-1-8-NPT-/281073230358?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4171452216&vxp=mtr)

Make sure you order two mate!

[RR P38]

What is your concern with regard to the oil temperature?
I find that the oil temp is usually some where about coolant temp or under the coolant temp.
If you buy yourself an infra red/laser, heat gun you can as I do - check your sump(s) from time to time.
This thing is great value; Turnigy Infrared Thermometer (-33 ~ 180Celsius) (http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8297__Turnigy_Infrared_Thermometer_33_180Celsius _.html)

If you are monitoring things too much you will miss all the scenery and worry your self to much for nothing:)

[TheTree]

What is your concern with regard to the oil temperature?
I find that the oil temp is usually some where about coolant temp or under the coolant temp.
If you buy yourself an infra red/laser, heat gun you can as I do - check your sump(s) from time to time.
This thing is great value; Turnigy Infrared Thermometer (-33 ~ 180Celsius) (http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8297__Turnigy_Infrared_Thermometer_33_180Celsius _.html)

If you are monitoring things too much you will miss all the scenery and worry your self to much for nothing:)

Hi

Perhaps an oil temp gauge is a step too far and the infrared thermometer seems a good option.

However I would still like to be able to see my Oil Pressure and System Voltage :angel:

Regards
Steve

[RR P38]

All these things are monitored by the lights that come on when there is a problem, battery, alternator oil pressure etc.
For instance if you are having an alternator problem you will get a message in the dash read out, with this usually you get some warning, days weeks before it dies.
With the infra red thermometer once you have used it a few times you will notice just a needle increase on the temp gauge tells you that you are running around 101-2c on the coolant.
Hawkeye gives some pretty good data, save your money on the fancy gauges and get one of those.

[FANTOM P38]

All these things are monitored by the lights that come on when there is a problem, battery, alternator oil pressure etc.
For instance if you are having an alternator problem you will get a message in the dash read out, with this usually you get some warning, days weeks before it dies.
With the infra red thermometer once you have used it a few times you will notice just a needle increase on the temp gauge tells you that you are running around 101-2c on the coolant.
Hawkeye gives some pretty good data, save your money on the fancy gauges and get one of those.

Only problem with those lights is, by the time they come on it's generally tooo! late:mad:
With gauges you also have realtime monitoring! Giving you a chance to intervene before things get too bad. If your'e watching that is.

[TheTree]

Hi

The P38 is so sensitive to electrical issues, I would prefer to be able to monitor things a little more closely :angel:

An Oil pressure gauge is an excellent indicator of the health of some bits of the engine as well. Also I don't think Hawkeye tells you your oil pressure, but i could be wrong

I am thinking of getting a nanocom, since it can be used without a PC.

Steve

[PhilipA]

My looong experience with Rover V8s tells me that a temperature gauge( unless it is transmission) is a waste of time and effort.
The old 3.9/4.0/4.6 is very understressed and any overheat will be in water.
Oils these days are so good, as long as you buy above chain store cheapy, and even they are probably good enough.

My experience includes driving from Amman to Riyadh along the TAP road in August in ambients up to 55C with no oil cooler in a 81 RRC . The oil temp gauge was pegged and the water temp gauge was up to the red, and I had to vary speed down as the day got hotter. On arrival after 1940KM of this the car had used 2 litres, but on a later pulldown because of a faulty pressure sender unit!!!! the crank was fine except for the thrust faces which must have been sand and a lot of use of the clutch. You could see daylight through the filter ends AFTER the air filters. Land Rover strikes again.

This was 30years ago! and Shell Super 20-50 then was undoubtedly nowhere near as good as oils now, since all oils have to consider heat as so many cars have turbos.

I guess nothing I will say will change your mind but I don't worry about it any more. I have a nice Serck cooler in a garbage bag in the garage ( for the last 20years!!) which I took off the 77 I owned as the overcooled oil condensed in the crankcase vents and I had to dig it out of the carb tubes with an electric drill.
Regards Philip A

[benji]

Isuppose everyones got their own experiences. On dads 77 coming through Penola years ago the bottom radiator pipe split, the water temp stayed the same with no coolant, but the oil temp started to go through the roof - definately saved the engine.

Though only a few years ago we were coming out of Rokewood and the 82 dropped all it's coolant, and the coolant temp guage instantly whent into the red....

Personally I'd like oil temp, and pressure. Not really needed, but in a remote area, towing with the kids on a hot day - it'd be piece of mind.

[Stoney]

I think it's a great idea, along with oil pressure and coolant temp, these three gauges need a much more accurate reading I believe if you use your vehicle for more than just daily commuting.
Heavy towing, low speed soft sand use etc all put a lot more strain on the engine/driveline and knowing exactly what is happening is a great way to prevent something much worse.

An adaptor plate at the oil filter would probably be the simplest way to go about it, you can even get complete oil cooler and filter relocation kits for pretty cheap these days (get one with a thermostat) and that would be a cheaper alternative to replacing the factory oil cooler and lines if/when they become perished and start leaking.

[benji]

A filter sandwich plate would be by far the easiest way to go, wether id be able to run the z9 though id have to see.

Now to find a spot on the dash.