Interior 2nd Gen Oil Temp vs Oil Pressure Gauge

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by genik, Jun 28, 2012.

  1. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    The temp gauge is better as the car has an oil pressure light.

    :biggrin5:
     
  2. genik

    genik Member

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    ok so suppose i have a option for a water temp too, which would be the order of importance?
     
  3. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    When the oil light comes on, it is already too late.:(

    Dave
     
  4. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    Gosh, Genik, haven't you read any of these posts?

    Dave
     
  5. genik

    genik Member

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    well of course i have, but you are the only one that goes clearly for a water temp, id like to read other views also
     
  6. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Not really, as I posted before with the new syn oils you can run the engine (in limp mode) for quite awhile before seizing up. Long enough to get it off the road safely anyway. The temp gauge IMO will give you a better idea of what the engine is doing.
     
  7. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #27 Firebro17, Jul 1, 2012
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2012
    Yes. That's what the previous owner of my car did and it works very well.

    As for a gauge upgrade, my order of importance was:
    Oil Pressure
    Water Temp
    Oil Temp
    Boost/Vac (if that's your thing) or Voltage (for those with too many gadgets)
    I chose the boost gauge to help keep me distracted since I can't legally talk or text anymore. :beer

    IMHO... Idiot lights can make exactly that out of some.
     
  8. Gr8ful

    Gr8ful New Member

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    I think oil temp should be first, it lets me know when the engine is at normal operating temp and I can bring the RPMs up close to redline. Oil press is next but MINI computer controls the pressure so it not that helpful and most modern engines don't just dump oil pressure all at once and the light should come on when the quantity gets low. Water temp is just that, coolant temperature. Oil is the life blood of the engine. My ordering is:

    1. Oil Temp
    2. Oil Press
    3 H2o temp
    4. Boost( turbo/supercharged)
     
  9. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    I put my oil temp. sensor in the oil canister top after I added an aluminum disk to the recess where the hex is. I thought is was to thin and not enough threads would be involved. Works great!
     
  10. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

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    #30 DixonL2, Jul 31, 2012
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2012
    The original question was:

    Between oil Pressure and Oil Temperature
    1. Which of the two is needed more?
    2. What is each useful for?

    Between the two, I'll stand by my earlier post saying Oil Pressure being more "needed", as the oil pressure dropping gives a good indication of the engine being warmed up (and oil pressure = 0 means "shut 'er down), but oil temperature is also important as the better indicator of true engine temp.

    If, however, we were to go down the list if ALL gauges in order of importance (in other words, which ones can you not live without), it'd go more like this for a STREET Car:

    1a. and 1b. Fuel level and tachometer
    3. Speedo (possibly eliminate if for a RACE-ONLY car)
    4. Water temp: A "good enough" indicator of engine temp, but nit's ranked this high because it's the best leading indicator of an engine overheating)
    5. Oil pressure: When oil pressure drops that's an indication the engine is warmed up - in that way it's slightly redundant to oil temp, which is why it ranks higher - and when pressure drops too much, shut 'er down. And go clean up the mess you've left behind!
    6. Voltmeter: This one's not just for fun - it's a leading indicator if alternator is failing, a HUGE problem on a Mini with electrically-boosted power steering! (I would know, having lost an alternator at the overlook on the Dragon, and driving back to Fontana without power steering!) Of course, since many alternators simply fail, showing very little performance change before doing so, the idiot light works here.
    7. Oil temp: Best indicator of engine's true internal temp
    8. Boost/vac: Let's you know if a boost leak/vacuum leak is present, but mostly just for fun, because the needle moves a lot.
    9. fuel/air ratio (for tech geeks)
    10. Clock Preferably with a "lap" function!
    ...and on and on it goes
     
  11. bmwr606

    bmwr606 New Member

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    i would add that a volt meter is important in all modern cars with the reliance on computers, many strange "problems" get traced back to a weak battery

    looking at the voltage before starting and the voltage drop while the starter is engaged gives you an idea of the health of the battery

    for example
    you normally see ~12.5 volts before starting and ~10.5 volts while starting ...
    after some years you may see ~12.1 volts and ~9.5 volts ... time to think about a new battery

    in both cases, if the alternator is healthy you should see ~13.5 - ~14.4 volts after starting (depends where the voltmeter is attached to the electrical system as there is a voltage drop (or loss) at each terminal between the reading point and battery)

    scott
     
  12. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

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    An enthusiastic +1^

    Now to find space for it (I have the chrono pack, so there's precious little room for additional gauges, and I'm not an "a-pillar gauge" kind of guy).
     
  13. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    ScangaugeII FTW!
     
  14. checkers

    checkers Well-Known Member

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    #34 checkers, Aug 1, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2012
  15. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    +1 for the Scangauge.
     
  16. RussWK

    RussWK Active Member

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    Here is an interesting quote from http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-105/ All the oil chapters seem to offer all you could want to know about oil.

    The best way to figure out what viscosity of oil you need is to drive the car in the conditions you will use. Then use the oil viscosity that gives you 10 PSI per 1,000 RPM under those circumstances. For some reason very few people are able to get this simple principal correct.
     
  17. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    .....mainly because that is a very rough rule of thumb. It is only one tool to use when determining what oil to use.

    But lets not go there in this thread.......lol
     
  18. RussWK

    RussWK Active Member

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    Oil to use

    I've been watching my temp and pressure at different RPMs since I read the Bobstheoilguy quote. It is very consistent at around 11 or lbs per 1,000 RPM when fully warm. I use 0-W30. Amsoil says this oil is good for over 300 degrees. I've never seen it more than about 220. Since temperature seems not to be an issue, I think pressure is the thing to watch - using RPM as a general guide to different pressure readings, and get worried if the math changes too much or suddenly.
     
  19. bmwr606

    bmwr606 New Member

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    i pulled the trigger and ordered a set of gauges from Prosport

    Prosport 45mm Gauges-We carry the full line of 45mm high performance gauges.

    i ordered the 45mm (1.75 inch) gauges, white faced, orange backlighting

    oil temp and pressure
    water temp
    boost
    volts

    now i need to get the necessary adapters to interface with the engine ... open to suggestions ... any to stay away from? any better than others? i will not use a drain plug mount for the oil temp sender

    the plan is to build a sheet aluminum mount and put the oil and water gauges across the top of the tach and the boost and volt gauges to the right and left of the tach, i plan on leaving enough wire behind the dash so i can mount any gauge in any position

    i will post some photos next week, getting ready to leave for my 40th high school reunion .... 40th?!?!?!?! yikes .... how can this be?

    scott
     
  20. Kellen@Craven

    Kellen@Craven New Member
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