Just bought a SPA duel water/oil temp gauge, coolent side sorted, but i am lost with the sender on the oil temp??? can anyone advise what i need, any advice please

 

The easiest oil temp sender I have seen is a replacement oil drain plug. I use one with my VDO oil temp gauge. Simply remove the OEM drain plug, and pop in the VDO replacement.

If the VDO plug is not compatible with your gauge, this won't work. Perhaps SPA makes a sender that fits the drain plug.

 

https://www.rx7club.com/group-buy-center-69/respeed-gb-oil-pedestal-s4-maf-adaptor-449540/

 

I bought one of the VDO drainplug/sender a while ago, but as you mentioned if it will be comatable with the SPA gauge is another question? i have emailed SPA to see what they think? It certainly seems the best/easiest option?

Is a sender a sender? meaning is there a diference?:-(

 

They supposedly have differing resistances, but I *think* it is negligable. I am in the middle of trying to run my coolant guage off the factory sender...haven't started it yet to find out if it works. Someone stop me now if they know better!

 

http://reganrotaryracing.tripod.com/tripower.htm

 

Just a thought? If the VDO sender/drain plug isnt suitable? would a engineering shop be able to modify the standard sump plug to take the SPA sensor? the thread is 1/8 NPT, just a thought???

 

Anyone?????

 

Check out Dale's site:

http://www.clubrx.org/default.asp?id...ntent=51&mnu=5

-Cliff

 

Cliff beat me to it . The banjo bolt install is a REALLY clean way to do it. I've changed oil on cars with the drain plug sensor, and that sensor is REALLY in the way - kind of a goofy way to do it IMHO.

Dale

 

A reply i receved fro SPA re; using the VDO sensor;

There is a completely different technology used between the sensors and this is why the two are not compatible, as a suggestion and I really do not know how easy this would be to accomplish but I am aware that a number of customers have done this, that is to have the sump plug drilled and tapped to accept the sensor, a number of Subaru owners have taken this approach because of installation difficulties.



Thais really is the only suggestion I can make for you.



Regards


I still favour the sump to take the oil temp reading????

 

IMO, the replacement oil filter pedestal is the cleanest install. It's not an adapter so it doesn't add extra height which causes problems with oil filter installation/replacement.

Dale's suggestion will work well depending on the sensor. I've seen some sensors that wouldn't be good to tap/mount onto the banjo bolt due to their size (Autometer to name one).

 

This is the way I would do it but there's no reason you can't remove the stock pedastal and drill and tap it as well. Just be sure your sensor leaves room for the oil filter to go on.

 

First of all, the banjo bolt location flat out does NOT work for some gauge senders.....the Defi ones for example.

A very clean and ACCURATE way to measure oil temp/pressure is to buy a filter block adapter (Greddy makes one) that comes with fittings. The filter block does make it a PITA to change your filter but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks...

 

So what about tapping into the sump plug? The SPA sensor is tiny and i would have thought it would work like the VDO plug/sensor + the sensor as its own small harness which is about 6" long, which then clips to the main gauge harness wich would make life easy at oil change time, it seems a good idea to me, but it would be nice to hear of others who have done the same:-)

 

I'm using an adapter sandwiched b/t the filter mount and engine block with an SPA oil temp/press gauge. Have to unplug the TPS to change the filter so tapping the existing pedistal would make things simpler.

That drain plug adapter would leave the SPA pressure sender hanging too low under the car. It's a long sending unit.

Jack

 

I wont drag the thread on, but if the plug can be tapped for the SPA sender to screw into it would just be the same as the VDO /plug/sensor in the pic, they are very similar in size

 

I suggest that you buy the VDO sender, and give it a try. It is inexpensive, and may work ....... even though it's not supposed to .

 

Should be able to test it before i install?

 

Yes. Boil some water, and see if it gives you the right reading. You may be able to send it back if it doesn't work with your gauge.

 

Listen to Mahjik, if you havent' already looked. I have the pedestal. Check out the pix. I am getting ready for my Autometer Pressure and Temp install.

Terry7

 

Just out of interest, i got the Spa sender fitted to the sump plug, cheap as well;-) £10 UK pounds about $20 US