33 replies to this topic

[carts60]

Iv just bought a set of gauges and iv fitted two fine - oil pressure and voltmeter, but i cant fit the oil temp sender because i cant find anywhere for it to go on the block.

Does anyone have any ideas where the sensor would go. Its got a universal 1/8 NPT thread so should fit strsight into the block if i could only find the place to put it.

The oil pressure sensor has taken the place where the old oil warning gauge was, and the only other place i can find is for the water temp sensor, so i obviously cant put it there.

PLEASE HELP ME!!

[lrostoke]

Never fitted a temp sensor, but it occurred you could use the adaptor normally used for plumbing the warning light and pressure gauge into the block.

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item3f013707c1

Whilst searching for that I did find this though

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item563d635db5

You'd have to check clearance though

[AndyMiniMad.]

You need an adaptor which fits in the block where you have fitted the oil pressure sender. you can then fit both senders in the same position.


Beaten to it again.....But yes as above..

Edited by AndyMiniMad., 07 July 2010 - 05:13 PM.

[carts60]

Never fitted a temp sensor, but it occurred you could use the adaptor normally used for plumbing the warning light and pressure gauge into the block.

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item3f013707c1

Whilst searching for that I did find this though

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item563d635db5

You'd have to check clearance though

Thats absolutely brilliant. That second link is spot on what i need. I tried a couple of motorfactors near me and they had no idea what to do, even though i suggested trying a T-Piece connector for both the oil pressure and temp - and they're supposed to know what they're talking about. I do love the forum, literally the best thing since sliced bread.
One of them mentioned he though there might be a spot on the sump pan where i could hook it up. I havent had a look though. Could he be right or was he just making it up to appear to know what he was on about??

[lrostoke]

I think normally you run oil temp gauges if you have an oil cooler fitted, you can then buy an adaptor that fits in the pipework of the cooler to take the sender unit.
Can't say I've noticed any other connections on the sump.

[miniobsessed]

Best place for your oil temp gauge to be reading from is the 'sump'. Though with mini's this can be difficult to fit without stripping the gearbox so you can drill and tap a hole in it...

You may be able to find/make an adaptor that will screw into the sump plug hole though you will then loose the magnet...

[Tomf]

Im not sure if either of the above sensors will work dues to the desighn of the temp sensors,

The sensor extendes quite some way after the threaded section and the one i tried on the standard sort of mini t-piece (second link) would not fit becasue of this.

[carts60]

Yeah, i tried fitting one to a standard T-piece and the sensor does extend a long way past the thread rendering it useless. It looks like i might need to try and either swap the gauge for another or just purchase a water temp sensor instead. Thanks for your help

by the way, Tomf, where are you based as a garrage? Im from Bromley and have tried a few supposed specialists but they have all had their problems and im looking for someone else to entrust my mini with if its close enough.

[carts60]

Just had a look on your banner link - Canterbury is a bit far from SE London lol

[Pauly]

If its an MPI oil temp guage, they used a sensor screwed into the oil pressure release valve hole.

Link

[Guess-Works.com]

The easiest solution is to mount the oil temp sensor in the back of the gearbox using the blanking plate for the oil pipe as the mount. I've done this on a few gearboxes by simply welding a nut with the appropriate thread to the middle of the plate and then drilling a hole through the middle for the sender. Only thing to watch for is the clearance of the sender to the exhaust pipe and properly heat shielding the wire.

Advantage is you can take the plate off the back of the gearbox and do all the mods on the bench, and if you don't like it, just put a standard plate back on to the gearbox.

[pilone78]

goodmorning

i'm still trying to understand how to fit smiths oil temperature....where should i screw oil capillary ? i have a british open 1996 spi

thanks...

[ukcooper]

http://www.somerford...oducts_id=14687

 

This goes in-between the oil filter housing and block.

[ukcooper]

[dklawson]

Thanks for posting that link UKCooper.  I was going to post a link to that type of adapter.  If you fit an oil temperature gauge (mechanical or electric), the sensor needs to be in the flowing oil.  That's why the filter head adapter is a good solution.  Other suggestions such as T fittings off the oil pressure line do not put the sensor in the flowing oil and they also put the sensor out far from the block.  The result is a much lower temperature reading with quite a bit of error.  That totally negates any benefit of having the gauge.

 

It is your car and to each his own regarding gauges and customization.  Regardless, I offer the following comments on oil temperature gauges.  

 

If you race, an oil temperature gauge is a must-have item.  On a street car they will tell you little and are largely eye candy.  The oil temperature will come up slowly and typically stay in one place most of the time.  Some say "Hey, it will tell you the engine is overheating if you lose all your anti-freeze".  That is true but there are usually other signs (like steam) that tell you the car is overheating long before the oil temperature will.  Again, it's your car and you should enjoy and customize it the way you want.  Just don't expect to learn a lot from an oil temperature gauge on a street car.