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Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:12 am

Hey Guys,

I seem to be getting high oil temps on long highway runs with the bus....

and am looking to install an Oil Temp Sender to monitor the oil tmperature.

Im sure this topic has been covered and gets covered frequently. however I couldnt find any notes on installing an oil temp sender... or where to obtain one that would be appropriate...

so apologies if this is a re-hash...

if someone could point me the right direction would be appreciated.

thx!

Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:21 am

to elaborate a little.

I was going to use something like this:
http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16810&cat=&page=1

or this one that bolts into the drain plug hole:
http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16278&cat=&page=1

and run a gauge up front that I could monitor...

Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:44 am

Been here?

Go down to Phil's ("Whip618") post....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=159341&highlight=oil+temp

Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:57 am

perfect!
thx.

is there any benefit between drilling into the 'Taco' plate and the Oil drain plug sender that Scott has available?

Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:10 am

I guess you have a T4 engine. Next time be sure to post what year bus you have.

The oil drain plug would be a pain because you'd have to remove it every time you do an oil change. Stick it somewhere like the taco plate where it can live and be happy.

Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:15 am

Sorry yes.
its a 75 1.8L Fuel Injected.... the infamous 75 problem tweaking FI...

good point.

this one here replaces the pressure relief plug?

http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16810&cat=&page=1

Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:21 am

OK, I'm a sort of "stock-kida-guy" but have been considering putting a set of gauges in also.

I always thought the oil temp/pressure sender could be mounted in the current oil pressure switch fitting. I never considered the idiot light staying on, but then again, with a gauge I wouldn't care...

But, this discussion has led to a "brain fart" and I'm wondering if any electronic guys out there care to take a stab at this idea:

I picked up a digital, outdoor thermostat at walmart a month ago for about $20 bucks, which sends a wireless temp signal to a gauge that I mounted on my dash with sticky-tape. It's suppose to be a remote, outside temp thermometer, but also has a function to check inside temp, if you want to buy another sensor.

I have the sender in the engine compartment for schits and giggles really, but to monitor engine compartment temp, which has no bearing on anything. It's very accurate, but only displays up to 185* F. It runs on batteries.

Now, suppose an electronics wiz were to take that same technology, create a CHT, oil temp & pressure sensor and be able to send it to a gauge? The Walmart gauge has a push button that cycles from outside -to- inside temp, but that same type of design could easilly switch from oil temp/pressure to CHT, and no running wires.

Like I said, it's a brain fart, but just curious if anyone knows of such an amimal?!?

Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:20 am

this one here replaces the pressure relief plug?

http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16810&cat=&page=1

Better go back and read it again. That says for "upright engine"

Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:25 am

Like I said, it's a brain fart, but just curious if anyone knows of such an amimal?!?

Hey, Let's make it bluetooth and then we'll create an iPhone app so I can see what my engine is doing from inside the house.

Just kidding you but seriously, installing a couple sending units on the engine and running the wires to the dash is pretty easy, quick, and cheap. It's the cheapest insurance a person can buy for their bus.

Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:41 am

I agree, and I'll admit that I haven't looked at the link yet (busy), but will in just a sec.

OK, just looked (it's out of stock). Will that unit also put out the px idiot light?

Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:42 am

aeromech wrote: this one here replaces the pressure relief plug?

http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16810&cat=&page=1

Better go back and read it again. That says for "upright engine"

Ah so it does... drill and tap into the Taco plate it is!

Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:43 am

rhadr; I have an upright; "I haven't graduated yet!!" - lol

Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:52 am

Suggestion....

Buy yourself a 20 foot long 4 wire "trailer light" set up and 2 10' long 3/8" wiring looms. Buy a big package of hefty wire ties and secure the loom to the under of the bus about every 6-10" under there. Electrical tape it up well and mark both ends of the wires so you will know which wire does what.

Use those wires for the OT, tach, and OP gauges. A CHT sender needs its own wires, so at least buy the 18' long kit from Dakota Digital and run those wires in the same wiring loom.

When you get ready to drill the 3 holes under the radio to mount the 2 1/16" gauges, let me know. Whip618 sent me the kit he did his with, and you can borrow it. It is a nice install.

Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:56 am

Will that unit also put out the px idiot light?

Here's what you need. It gives you oil pressure reading for the gauge as well as an idiot light switch for the dash light. I've been using them for over 3 decades.

Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:14 pm

Cool. I'll take both suggestions. Gary, who makes that sender.

Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:27 pm

VDO

Just do a search. It's widely available as well as all the gauges, wiring kits, and gauge holders.

Here's a pic of a VDO tach installed the way I like it

And here you can see the two gauges mounted the way I like