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DuncanS
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
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 Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2021 10:56 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| Hey, that's one I hadn't thought of, a rumble seat. Truly rumbly. |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8372
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:01 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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Follow up Q: what length lead gets you from the trans probe all the way to the dash unit? Thx...
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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syncroanddestroy
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2018
Posts: 94
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:44 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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Sodo's the man, great write up.
The inkbird unit rocks. Super quick refresh rate and very accurate. I disassembled my unit and resoldered the display on a ribbon cable so I could fit it where my dead clock was. It was pretty tedious but a perfect fit. It's been so worth knowing my gear oil temps especially with 6.17s
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8372
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:06 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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Bump...anyone...???
| dhaavers wrote: |
Follow up Q: what length lead gets you from the trans probe all the way to the dash unit? Thx...
- Dave |
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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charleslabri
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2019
Posts: 649
Location: Nashville/Yosemite
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DuncanS
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2023 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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They can easily be extended with no degradation in the values.
Duncan |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10617
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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You fellers driving FAST with big engines in the summertime.
You can use a wireless cooking meat thermometer to monitor gearbox temps
And perhaps avoid damage at the mainshaft bearing bore which happens around 180F (71C).
Because now you’ll KNOW when you SHOULD slow down.
A new, tight gearbox should be less than 160F at 60-65mph (95-100kph).
Anyway here’s a simple method to get started anf you can plan a permanent solution later if you become interested.
Heres a way to put a meat-temp-sensor in your gearbox fill-plug.
The fill plug is not a costly item.
Drill a hole in it and insert rubber tubing.
The sensor is pointed and smooth.
When you insert it into the smaller rubber tube, it expands the rubber and makes a seal.
Sorry I don’t have an example of a good wireless meat thermometer but they exist. If you get one with multiple sensors maybe you can use other sensors to display air conditioner inlet and outlet temps. Or front differential on a Syncro. Propex heater outlet. Etc. If you want to monitor aircond temps choose one that goes down towards ~40F. |
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 5669
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| Sodo wrote: |
| Sorry I don’t have an example of a good wireless meat thermometer but they exist. |
i'm a big fan of Inkbird products.. cheap, modern tech, and they work. they make some incredible controllers but here are their wireless therms:
https://inkbird.com/collections/wireless-thermometers
just finished up smoking a pork shoulder using the IBBQ-4T wireless so i could check temps at 5am from bed.... a nice 4 channel unit with thin probes.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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AndyBees
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2008
Posts: 2621
Location: Southeast Kentucky
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| Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2024 12:41 pm Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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Subscribed ,,,...
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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pointillist
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2022
Posts: 83
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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I've used Inkbird units for other applications (making guitar pickup winders) and been impressed by them.
And, this is exactly the thread I was looking for- I had my transmission cracked open and checked/refreshed when I bought my doka two years back and wished I had them put a temperature sensor bung onto it. This method is a great second choice- ordering the materials now! Thanks for writing this up so clearly. Will post stats once I get the install done.
_________________
89 VW Cabriolet
91 VW Doka
Doka Build Notes
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69tr6r
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2017
Posts: 171
Location: Shelton, CT
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 7:15 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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@Sodo - Has the aluminum clip stayed in place all this time? I feel like it would vibrate loose and fall off.
I just ordered the same Inkbird unit and plan to do this same install.
Thanks! |
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AndyBees
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2008
Posts: 2621
Location: Southeast Kentucky
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 9:46 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| 69tr6r wrote: |
@Sodo - Has the aluminum clip stayed in place all this time? I feel like it would vibrate loose and fall off.
I just ordered the same Inkbird unit and plan to do this same install.
Thanks! |
I've used JB Weld in very hot spots with excellent results. And, it will seal if applied correctly.
One plastic end on the OE radiator on my '84 TDI Vanagon has been sealed with JB Weld since 2012 and 90k miles, zero leaks.
Also, 24 years ago, "we" sealed a Kohler 2-cylinder engine block with JB Weld....... no leaks all these years. The engine is on a Wood-Mizer band saw.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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69tr6r
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2017
Posts: 171
Location: Shelton, CT
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| AndyBees wrote: |
| 69tr6r wrote: |
@Sodo - Has the aluminum clip stayed in place all this time? I feel like it would vibrate loose and fall off.
I just ordered the same Inkbird unit and plan to do this same install.
Thanks! |
I've used JB Weld in very hot spots with excellent results. And, it will seal if applied correctly.
One plastic end on the OE radiator on my '84 TDI Vanagon has been sealed with JB Weld since 2012 and 90k miles, zero leaks.
Also, 24 years ago, "we" sealed a Kohler 2-cylinder engine block with JB Weld....... no leaks all these years. The engine is on a Wood-Mizer band saw. |
My first thought was JB Weld too. But maybe the Noalox has better thermal conductivity. |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10617
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 10:16 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| 69tr6r wrote: |
@Sodo - Has the aluminum clip stayed in place all this time? I feel like it would vibrate loose and fall off.
I just ordered the same Inkbird unit and plan to do this same install.
Thanks! |
It was temporary, i took it off when I got home.
Highly doubt vibration can dislodge it - being damped by the foam insulation.
Are you over-engined?
and
Are you inclined to drive 75mph at times?
If you're a competent thread tapper I'd drillbabydrill.
Its real up-to-the-minute temp.
Which you can use to adjust your driving.
Also depends what engine and environment.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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69tr6r
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2017
Posts: 171
Location: Shelton, CT
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 10:26 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| Sodo wrote: |
| 69tr6r wrote: |
@Sodo - Has the aluminum clip stayed in place all this time? I feel like it would vibrate loose and fall off.
I just ordered the same Inkbird unit and plan to do this same install.
Thanks! |
It was temporary, i took it off when I got home.
Highly doubt vibration can dislodge it - being damped by the foam insulation.
Are you over-engined?
and
Are you inclined to drive 75mph at times?
If you're a competent thread tapper I'd drillbabydrill.
Its real up-to-the-minute temp.
Which you can use to adjust your driving.
Also depends what engine and environment. |
I'm running a stock 1.9l, and I try to keep it below 70mph.
Last summer my trans blew and the mainshaft bearing was no longer a thermal fit, which meant my case was ruined.
I have a very expensive new trans, and I'm running 5.86 R&P too, so I would like to add some cheap insurance to the trans.
Thanks again! |
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AndyBees
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2008
Posts: 2621
Location: Southeast Kentucky
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 11:17 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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@69tr6r, if you are running OE size tires with that 5.86 R&P, I suspect your 1.9 engine is really spinning at 65 MPH.......... probably close to 3900 RPMs.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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69tr6r
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2017
Posts: 171
Location: Shelton, CT
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 11:23 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| AndyBees wrote: |
| @69tr6r, if you are running OE size tires with that 5.86 R&P, I suspect your 1.9 engine is really spinning at 65 MPH.......... probably close to 3900 RPMs. |
@AndyBees, Oops, sorry, it's actually 5.50 R&P with a .82 4th gear. But yes, stock 14" rims with Grabber tires. I wish I had a tach to see what my RPM's are ... |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10617
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 2:24 pm Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| 69tr6r wrote: |
I'm running a stock 1.9l, and I try to keep it below 70mph.
Last summer my trans blew and the mainshaft bearing was no longer a thermal fit, which meant my case was ruined.
I have a very expensive new trans, and I'm running 5.86 R&P too, so I would like to add some cheap insurance to the trans.
Thanks again! |
OK no big engine.... but you want to know if your driving style overheats your trans.
-----> I suspect 1.9L does NOT.
But 5.50 R&P likely runs a bit hotter than a 4.86 when pushing hard, so I guess we'll see. 
I will be interested either way. 
A huge amount of my knowledge comes from what I read "out there"
and very few people publish temperatures.
Of course no gauge no temperature.
Even those who do have gauges don't publish much, 'cuz nobody's asking.
So of course I like what you are doing.
Hard to say what ruined your bore.
There are several assaults, and it will certainly wear if heat loosened it.
When the bore is loose, there can be contaminated oil between the bearing and the bore making it worse.
Other assaults are electricity, cruise control,
and analog-small-engine-ersatz-cruise-control (just the pedal mashed for hours).
Many of our gearboxes had to endure the "lifetime fluids" plan (the danged P.O. !) .
No changes for 90,000 miles.
And then after 90k, they ran an additional 60,000 miles on that same contaminated oil, cuz the Bentley says nothing.
The repair bill boosts gearbox maintenance up a few notches........
Don't run your break-in oil "long" on that new gearbox.
Change it as early and often as you can tolerate.
Every early hairdo you take OUT of that oil is a blessing to your new bearings.
This was not done when your van was new, but the conditions were different.
But it coulda been done for benefits on the far-side.
By some rebel who ain't buying the "lifetime oils".
I'd do it at 100, 200, 500, 1000, then until the break-in trash stops coming.
I need to make a little tutorial of how the Pinion bearing is assembled, so people can see what "trash" does to that bearing.
If you do a little effort to preserve in in the beginning, it's in that much better condition towards the end.
You can settle the steel out and put that oil back in.
It takes about 3 weeks minimum, so maybe the 100 can go back in for the 500 interval etc.
Use those water-clear gallon jugs so you can see the trash, and pour off the clean.
They cost only $1.50 full of water, which you can drink.
Lots of other folks report rebuilds lasting 60k-90k etc.
Build quality is one factor.
Don't let trash in your oil be a significant factor.
Clean oil is huge, and it can be had for about $35, and less if you gravity-purify.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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AndyBees
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2008
Posts: 2621
Location: Southeast Kentucky
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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| Sodo wrote: |
You can settle the steel out and put that oil back in.
It takes about 3 weeks minimum, so maybe the 100 can go back in for the 500 interval etc.
Use those water-clear gallon jugs so you can see the trash, and pour off the clean.
They cost only $1.50 full of water, which you can drink. |
This right here is what I do with used transmission oil.
I save clear orange juice jugs, tea jugs, etc., to put my used oil in. Yes, I wash them thoroughly and allow them to air dry in the Sun. I also use about any kind of jug as well. As Sodo says, about three weeks will do for settling. After that settling interval, I pour the contents into another clean jug to settle more. I have a tray that I put those dirty jugs in to drain. The murky stuff goes to the oil recycling batch.
Considering, I'm not rebuilding transmissions or changing oil on a daily basis, I don't run out of jugs.
Right now, I have about five gallons of oil settling which each batch is identified by date, vehicle, etc., that it came out of. Some of this oil has settled for a year or longer.
My first Vanagon transmission build (put in service 8/2012) was a "shoot from the hip" approach with zero specialty tools. It did last 90k miles. I preemptively removed and tore it down last summer. I was surprised that it wasn't trashed. It had Weddle bearings and upgraded 3rd and 4th hub, gears, etc. The big pinion nut was loose (or looking from another angle, it wasn't tight). However, by design it could not spin off because I had correctly punched it (just a long story how I did tighten it). And, fortunately, the pinion bore was not damaged.
I did buy the specialty tools and have built several transmissions which all have done fine. I've followed and stressed Sodo's recommendations relating to oil changes.
So, early on during break-in, as Sodo basically said, you cannot change the oil too often.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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69tr6r
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2017
Posts: 171
Location: Shelton, CT
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 5:55 am Post subject: Re: Manual Transaxle temperature gauge for $20 (how-to with pics) |
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Thanks for the advice guys. I bought the van 5 years ago, and did at least 2 gear oil changes in my ownership (5k miles). The van has around 140k on what I assume was the original trans. So not much I could do about the past maintenance.
4th gear slider was toast, as well as 3rd gear, and obviously the R&P. The builder said it was one of the worst he's seen, so probably the only thing I could have done differently is immediately pull the trans after buying the van and have it rebuilt. Maybe I could have saved some of the parts, and/or the case itself.
I for sure will be doing frequent gear oil changes!
Will post my results with the new temp gauge after it's installed. |
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