can some one explain the basics for an oil temperaure gauge - how do they get the temperature for the oil. I've seen one for a harley that looks like it just replaces the oil stick but if it is digital then where does the sensor go to - is there a wire that goes into the engine?
thanks for your time and information,
Karl
Quote from: karl61 on July 19, 2010, 07:39:00 PM
can some one explain the basics for an oil temperaure gauge - how do they get the temperature for the oil. I've seen one for a harley that looks like it just replaces the oil stick but if it is digital then where does the sensor go to - is there a wire that goes into the engine?
thanks for your time and information,
Karl
Something quick and easy would be just a gauge in the fill port, such as this sight I found --> http://www.getgeared.co.uk/moto-detail_Motorcycle_Oil_Temperature_Gauge_No_11 (http://www.getgeared.co.uk/moto-detail_Motorcycle_Oil_Temperature_Gauge_No_11), but I would like to know as well if there is a viable option also to mount a decent looking gauge somewhere.
I have a VDO Oil Temp gauge mounted on my 89 FJ.
Kind of a bad pic of it - but you can see it in the lower right hand corner:
(http://www.fjrally.com/picgallery/gallery%2FMisc_FJ_Photos%2FDSCN0660.JPG)
This VDO Oil temp gauge has been on my FJ since 1989. It works great. About 5 years ago I
replaced the gauge with a new one (after 15 years the needle
started to bounce around). It is backlit as well (with color choices
included) and fits perfectly on my 1989 FJ. I'm sure the gauge would fit in
the fairing on all FJs. The sender will fit all FJs of course. A nicer,
cheaper alternative to the filler cap gauge in my opinion.
VDO Oil Temp Gauge:
Part Number: VDO 310-106
Price: $25.95
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=VDO%20310-106&dds=1 (http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=VDO%20310-106&dds=1)
VDO Sender Plug:
Part Number: VDO 323-423
Price: $24.95
http://tinyurl.com/8m6c2 (http://tinyurl.com/8m6c2)
Thank you for the information.
Quote from: Marsh White on July 20, 2010, 11:20:42 AM
I have a VDO Oil Temp gauge mounted on my 89 FJ.
This VDO Oil temp gauge has been on my FJ since 1989. It works great. About 5 years ago I
replaced the gauge with a new one (after 15 years the needle
started to bounce around). It is backlit as well (with color choices
included) and fits perfectly on my 1989 FJ. I'm sure the gauge would fit in
the fairing on all FJs. The sender will fit all FJs of course. A nicer,
cheaper alternative to the filler cap gauge in my opinion.
VDO Oil Temp Gauge:
Part Number: VDO 310-106
Price: $25.95
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=VDO%20310-106&dds=1 (http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=VDO%20310-106&dds=1)
VDO Sender Plug:
Part Number: VDO 323-423
Price: $24.95
http://tinyurl.com/8m6c2 (http://tinyurl.com/8m6c2)
I agree, the option you have is much nicer. One question. Where did you mount the sending unit? Is it the drainplug?!
Marsh, what is the LED numeral in the center of the gage panel for?
Marsh,
I bought this exact gauge/sender from Summit, but ran out of time for install before the WCR....
I got the oil galley plug adaptor for the sender, but am not sure which one to use to get the most accurate reading.....looks like there are about 4 or 5 to choose from.
I would assume I would use one of the ones closest to the oil pan, but could use some advice on this.
Any legends racers with a oil temp gauge......which one do you use? :scratch_one-s_head:
Quote from: Firehawk068 on July 20, 2010, 05:05:09 PM
Marsh,
I bought this exact gauge/sender from Summit, but ran out of time for install before the WCR....
I got the oil galley plug adaptor for the sender, but am not sure which one to use to get the most accurate reading.....looks like there are about 4 or 5 to choose from.
I would assume I would use one of the ones closest to the oil pan, but could use some advice on this.
Any legends racers with a oil temp gauge......which one do you use? :scratch_one-s_head:
The best place to check temp is in the oil galley on the engine, the black galley plugs located at either end under the covers or directly in the center of the crankcase behind the header.
The second place would be the oil pan galley which is circulating only the oil cooling system and giving you a true reading of the actual temperature through the engine.
The pan galley and the crankcase galleys are differnet sizes as well so it might depend on which adapter you bought.
Brand of gauge really doesn't matter; I use both Autometer and S&W gauges.
Personally we run a remote oil filter and tap the temp gauge from there which eliminates the bleed over of the actual case temp and provides the actual oil temp.
Randy - RPM
Quote from: mikeholzer on July 20, 2010, 11:59:45 AM
Marsh, what is the LED numeral in the center of the gage panel for?
That is a custom made gear indicator - but that is a topic for another thread!
Quote from: racerrad8 on July 20, 2010, 06:25:51 PM
The best place to check temp is in the oil galley on the engine, the black galley plugs located at either end under the covers or directly in the center of the crankcase behind the header.
The second place would be the oil pan galley which is circulating only the oil cooling system and giving you a true reading of the actual temperature through the engine.
The pan galley and the crankcase galleys are differnet sizes as well so it might depend on which adapter you bought.
Brand of gauge really doesn't matter; I use both Autometer and S&W gauges.
Personally we run a remote oil filter and tap the temp gauge from there which eliminates the bleed over of the actual case temp and provides the actual oil temp.
Randy - RPM
Thanks Randy.
The adaptor that I bought is threaded M20x1.5, and accepts an 1/8" pipe thread sender........
I'm guessing if I use the one in the case behind my header, I won't accidentally knock it off the engine :shok:
FWIW: Here are a couple of crappy cell phone pics of where I mounted the gauge:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/1_20_07_10_11_53_04_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/1_20_07_10_11_53_10_1.jpeg)
The sender is mounted on the right hand side of the engine in one of the galley plugs - I'll try and get a pic of it tomorrow.
Marsh White - What is the normal temp that you see when cruising?
Quote from: Scooterbob on July 21, 2010, 08:07:13 AM
Marsh White - What is the normal temp that you see when cruising?
I posted the below message on the Yahoo group in 2005:
In my experience the FJ is warmed up at regular operating temperature at
220. It would probably amaze most people to realize how long it actually
takes to warm up to that temperature...a good 10-15 minutes. During typical
Hwy cruising (85mph)it stays in the 225 range. If I'm pushing it at 95mph
for 20 minutes or so It will get up to 240. I then get a bit concerned and
lower my speed 5-10mph and it will promptly lower back to the 225-230 range.
My point is that you have to really be up in the 6-8K range for a good 15-20
minutes to increase the heat up to the 240 range....and it only takes a
minute or so of relaxing the throttle to lower it back down. Our air cooling
is amazingly effective. I have NEVER seen it above about 243.
One small disclaimer (that to many of you might throw the relevance of the
above out the window): I have a 12 row Fours n' More increased capacity oil
cooler on this FJ. Although the Previous Owner was quite adamant that he never
could tell ANY difference in oil temps once he put that oil cooler on.
Great information. I frequently ride at about 6K when going to and from work. I was wondering how bad I was pushing the common limits. I'm seeing a new oil temp gauge in my near future. :yes:
Harvy told me the same thing. He has a larger oil cooler also and even in the heat of the Aussie summers he noticed no difference between stock or aftermarket one.
Quote from: Marsh White on July 21, 2010, 10:57:38 AM
I have a 12 row Fours n' More increased capacity oil cooler on this FJ. Although the Previous Owner was quite adamant that he never could tell ANY difference in oil temps once he put that oil cooler on.
Thanks Marsh.....I am mounting my gauge exactly where yours is mounted........really the only place you CAN mount it and still be able to see it while riding aside from adding some sort of guage pod thingy.
I'll be changing my oil soon, and since I have to pull my header off to do so, I'll probably use the galley plug that's on the front of the case behind the header.......I'll post some pics when I get it done, and let you all know what temps I get in the Phoenix summer heat.....I ride to work every day about a 25-30 minute commute, and I have the stock oil cooler.
Maybe I'm naive, but why do you need to remove the header to change your oil?
Some aftermarket headers cover up the oil drain plug so you need to remove the header to get to the plug.
Randy are you running a remote oilfilter on your bikes or just the legend cars. I would be interested in seeing some pictures of remote setup if it is on the bike.
Mark H.
Quote from: Coronet on July 22, 2010, 12:39:56 PM
Some aftermarket headers cover up the oil drain plug so you need to remove the header to get to the plug.
Mark H.
Duh :dash2:- Never even thought of that.
Quote from: Coronet on July 22, 2010, 12:39:56 PM
Randy are you running a remote oilfilter on your bikes or just the legend cars. I would be interested in seeing some pictures of remote setup if it is on the bike.
Mark H.
Just the cars at this time, but I have a vision for a remote filter for the bike that will allow the main oil pump lubrication circuit to also be cooled by a cooler as well. That was going to be one of my spring projects but my back injury put that on hold; Heck I haven't even been able to ride since this year. I will be making a system to R&D to see if I can cool the oil more efficiently.
Randy - RPM
Yes Bob, my Kerker 4-into-1 header doesn't allow me to access my oil drain plug. :negative:
Not too big a pain though.......the whole system comes off fairly easy, just have to allow for some extra wrenching when it's oil change time.......although, I've been scheming a remote drain tube like Garth has to make this easier........I'll see what I can come up with.
Quote from: Scooterbob on July 22, 2010, 01:00:25 PM
Quote from: Coronet on July 22, 2010, 12:39:56 PM
Some aftermarket headers cover up the oil drain plug so you need to remove the header to get to the plug.
Mark H.
Duh :dash2:- Never even thought of that.
Apparently the pipe builders didn't either! Really, would you buy it if you knew that? Wasn't I pissed the first oil change...
Quote from: carsick on July 22, 2010, 08:31:24 PM
Quote from: Scooterbob on July 22, 2010, 01:00:25 PM
Quote from: Coronet on July 22, 2010, 12:39:56 PM
Some aftermarket headers cover up the oil drain plug so you need to remove the header to get to the plug.
Mark H.
Duh :dash2:- Never even thought of that.
Apparently the pipe builders didn't either! Really, would you buy it if you knew that? Wasn't I pissed the first oil change...
Suppose that would be an unpleasant surprise. Shall we start with the Engineer jokes now? :wacko1:
Look at the bright side -- its a good time to polish up the header. :biggrin: I change my oil every 1500-2000 miles and at the same time get out the Mothers and shine up the header. I must say, keeps the header looking great.
P.S. - Kind-of a pain in the ass if the truth be known. :nea:
I found a simple one here.
http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=MAP527161&tier1url=Spares&tier2url=Oil-Temperature-Gauges&tier3url=On-Two-Wheels&tier4url=Bike-Specfic (http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=MAP527161&tier1url=Spares&tier2url=Oil-Temperature-Gauges&tier3url=On-Two-Wheels&tier4url=Bike-Specfic)
I will tell you one thing. As I search for parts in the USA on the internet, I find that England and Australia sure love their old bikes and have the shops to help out. I have an 86 Ninja 1000. If I need a part I just look for it as a 86 GPZ 1000 and I will find the part in England or Australia.
One question I have is:
Does oil flow through the oil cooler at all times while the engine is running? or is there some sort of thermostatic valve in the oil pan that opens when warmed up?
Quote from: karl61 on July 23, 2010, 01:55:39 PM
I found a simple one here.
http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=MAP527161&tier1url=Spares&tier2url=Oil-Temperature-Gauges&tier3url=On-Two-Wheels&tier4url=Bike-Specfic (http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=MAP527161&tier1url=Spares&tier2url=Oil-Temperature-Gauges&tier3url=On-Two-Wheels&tier4url=Bike-Specfic)
I will tell you one thing. As I search for parts in the USA on the internet, I find that England and Australia sure love their old bikes and have the shops to help out. I have an 86 Ninja 1000. If I need a part I just look for it as a 86 GPZ 1000 and I will find the part in England or Australia.
I have one on my FJ. Not bad, but you can't see the temp while riding. I occasionally check the temp at red lights. Normally I'm at 80C, highway rides reach 100C and riding up Mt. Washington in 2nd gear it reached 120C when we stopped 3/4 of the way up to let the bikes cool down. From what I understand, the Legends racers let the FJ engines run a lot hotter.
Alan
Oil flows thru the complete system, when running all the time no thermostat.
Bob
Alot hotter I've seen oil temps peg a 340 gauge in less than 25 laps. And we run better coolers too.
With the set up I have now it runs 300ish under load (racing) and cools to 260ish under cautions. Put the fans right to her in the pits, and repeat.
Thanks Bob
:good: