Due to the overwhelming doubt in the back of my mind that something has to blow up soon I am looking to fit a temperature sensor to the engine of my bay. I have seen ones that got in the dipstick, one that goes on the sump and I've heard of others that fit in to the cylinder head (although I do not know much about this type) My question is, has anyone used/got any one of these and what one is the easiest/best solution?
I 'borrowed' a platinum/rhodium thermocouple from work and did a comparison on a dipstick and head temp gauge and sender to see what was what. Its not good. Basically what you need to establish is the correct operating temperature is being achieved, and then just install it as a worry gauge, if it fluctuates over the set point start to worry and slow down basically. The ones i've seen are so inaccurate its unbelievable and the measurement of uncertainty is laughable. Oil pressure gauges provide a better and more accurate reading to worry about.
I had a sump one and it never read right so changed for a dipstick one and its spot on. If you don't want a gauge inside you can use a jam thermometer http://www.amazon.co.uk/ETI-800-805-frying-thermometer-150mm/dp/B003ARLKMM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_30
If you're after oil temp, use a dipstick sender and gauge - painless, and work well IMHO. It's all you need. But...what makes you think your engine's going to blow up? Gauges'll only make you worry more...
I've got a dipstick sender on mine, And to be sure I checked how accurate it was Pretty much bang on And used a couple of neodymium magnets I had left over from making my curtains to keep my dip stick handy for level checks
I fitted a vdo oil pressure sender and guage and it read 16 psi low, oil light almost never goes out, that's more worrying than having no gauge
Just my luck mate, I'm not one to think negatively but I have a history of melting engines so it would be nice to have a bit of a heads up next time
Basic oil temp should be fine, and dipstick's the easiest. Like @68_early_bay I keep my original one jammed in the air box clips for serious dipping.
I have a sump sender and I still can't get it to read 100% of the time. It like to go off for no reason and then come back on a few miles later! I'd probably buy a dip stick one next time. I've learnt a lot from having a gauge thou!
Any one got any thoughts on these?!? http://www.vwtrendsweb.com/tech/0104vwt_bergs_temperature_dipstick/
There was a group buy on early.bay not long ago, but I wasn't really sure about them If it flickers is it oil pressure problems and need to stop or telling you to back off and let it cool down a bit
Funny. I just saw this last night and I saved it for a friend. I think they have what you're looking for.
Was a thread on these earlier in the week. Interesting idea, but I reckon the temp setting is too low for a bus.
Volksworld did an article on oil temp gauges a few years ago, and VDO came out worst of all... was around 15°c low/high (can't remember which) Stack pro came out on top being either bob on or +/-1°c accurate Hence why I use stack gauges now, or Auto Meter if I want a "race look" gauge!!
I remember reading that. VDO aren't even cheap, despite obviously being a low-cost design. You'd think if they can make the things at all, they'd make them with some degree of accuracy. My oil temp reads about 5° high, voltmeter under reads by 0.5V, who knows what the pressure gauge does.
It all goes to show that gauges are not precision instruments. Rather, their readings should be "gotten used to" when all is going well, so that any abnormal readings give notice of engine problems BEFORE they arise.
