IDI Oil TEMP Sensor??

[cbarm]

Hey guys, I am really wanting to install an oil temp gauge and the only place I have found (I think) to put one in is in place of a plug on the front of the oil filter housing. Is there any better place for this?? I know this topic has been mentioned before, but I have searched high n low n just cant seem to get a good answer...

Also, what is the size of the fill plug on a ZF5?? Some kinda oddball size. I want to put a tranny temp sensor in there also.

 

[franklin2]

You are going to want the probe to be in the oil flow to get a good reading. I would think putting the probe on a dead end plug opening would just give you the block temperature. I don't know where you should put it, unless it would be in the supply line to the turbo, where the oil could pass over the probe.

 

[cbarm]

Well Im not sure if I could T off that line since this engine already has a turbo... I have read that its better to get a temp reading before the oil cooler, but no idea where to look under there for a plug.

 

[cbarm]

I am curious if the PSD would have the same port on the oil filter housing as an IDI to install a temp sensor? I put on on my IDI there and it works great! Normal operating temp in near freezing ambient temp is about 150-160 F...this is about right I assume? This is just driving normal speed (65 mph, not towing anything)...

 

[icanfixall]

I installed a weld-o-let in my oil pan on the side when I rebuilt my engine. That way I know what the oil temp is AFTER it has been thru the engine. The oil cooler coolant flow is from the filter end towards the front of the block. the oil flows from the front od the block to the back of the block. Usually I see oil temps cursing about 10 degrees higher than the coolant temps. Pulling a grade or towing I can see up around 240 to 250. degrees. One never wants to see oil temps reach 330 degrees. I did once when I lost a freeze plug pulling a 26 mile 6% grade here in so ca. The oil temp passed the end of my isspro gauge.. Engine started clattering because the oil thinned out too much for the lifters. It sloowed down and stopped running before I could get to the emergency parking... Postons swelled up locking the engine up.. A complete melt down.... Big tears running down my face too....

 

[cbarm]

I assume yes there is. I am gonna have to fish around in there I guess...

 

[racer30]

I say submerged in the pan is the best too....there will be a few extra ports in my pan too...air compressor drain, turbo drain, and temp sender.

 

[riotwarrior]

I say submerged in the pan is the best too....there will be a few extra ports in my pan too...air compressor drain, turbo drain, and temp sender.

I agree...pan temp is more or less what the engine sees, there will be exceptions clearly but that's the constant temp location/most stabilized.

Perhaps ONE port into the pan..or Two...one temp sender, one return line from a manifold...thus only two spots on pan to leak instead of multiple ports potentially leaking...

JM2CW

And I will be adding in a Temp sender in my pan for certain! As for return lines, my thoughts where tapping into the fuel pump block off plate!

 

[icanfixall]

Before you guys weld in a drain or a temp sender location check what the level of the oil will be at a normal amount of oil in the pan. Your going to want the temp sender low in the pan but the return line will have to be high near the pan rail so it can easily drain into the pan and not have to force oil out of the way...

 

[cowboytueller]

Hey guys, I am really wanting to install an oil temp gauge and the only place I have found (I think) to put one in is in place of a plug on the front of the oil filter housing. Is there any better place for this?? I know this topic has been mentioned before, but I have searched high n low n just cant seem to get a good answer...

Also, what is the size of the fill plug on a ZF5?? Some kinda oddball size. I want to put a tranny temp sensor in there also.

The fill plug wouldn't be the place to put the probe as it sits on top of the tranny oil, not submerged in it. Move the probe to the drain plug and you will get a better more accurate reading.

 

[cbarm]

Well from what I have read, its better to over fill the tranny a lil past full (running outa the hole) so even when the truck is shut off it will barely reach the sensor, but when everything is flying around in there at highway speed then it will get just as good of a reading as the drain plug would...and then no risk of snaggin it on somethin...

I've done the same with my rear diff, and still get a good reading on that...

 

[PwrSmoke]

I third the suggestion that the oil sump is the best place to test engine oil temps. I SO regret not wending in a bung when I had the engine apart recently. Oil flow is OK, I suppose, but it will read higher and most data you will find out there on "normal" oil temps is based on sump temps. You will have to plot your "normal" using an alternate measuring spot. I have had a temporary sensor in mine, a thermocouple that could run down the dipstick tube.

 

[CDX825]

Why not after the oil cooler? That would give you the temp the bearings and everything else sees. It would also let you know how well the oil cooler is working.

 

[cbarm]

Mine is right after the oil cooler on the front of the filter housing...I think Im gettin a good reading there...