Well,... I've been planning on adding an oil temp gauge for the past few months (as well as getting a new oil cooler from Randy), and I had a few additional questions that weren't covered in previous threads for those of you who've already done this Mod.
- How water resistant/proof is the gauge you have? Have you had any problems with moisture getting in from washing or riding in the rain? I've checked on the websites of many of the manufacturers mentioned (VDO, Autometer, etc) and though some have stated they have models designed for motorcycles they don't mention water resistancy, unless referring to marine grade gauges.
- Randy carries an oil galley adapter for temp or pressure gauge sensors. What brands/models of sensors will fit that adapter? Some of the manufacturers don't list the thread size of their sensors.
- Lastly, I've noticed that many gauges go to 300o and some go to 340o. Do you find that your temperatures ever really go above 300o for your normal riding style? I realize this last question may result in many different answers as the answer would be based on different riding styles, climates, and oil coolers (OEM vs. aftermarket). I'm just trying to get a feel of what would work best for me.
Hi there
P/O fitted one to my '93, factory oil cooler and summer temps from mid 20's C to low 30's C, winter temps from 4-5 C upwards. The gauge is calibrated in C, on a stinking hot day stuck in traffic too thick to lane split I've never seen more than 110C on it. It sits in the open and gets wet if it's raining. There definately is moisture build up on the inside of the gauge face when this happens, it doesn't seem to affect the gauge - 5 years of riding for me now and still ticking. It's no-name gauge, but it is lit at night, and is a analogue style.
On an average summer day, say open road speeds of 100kph, temp in the high 20's it sits happily at around 65-70C. Winter time air temp of around 10-15C it stays down at around 50C.
here's a pic of it mounted..
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/517_10_12_09_10_22_15_1.jpeg)
Just had a closer look and I was mistaken, my gauge is a LaMoo brand... I'd recommend them, they're hardy :good2:
Quote from: FeralRdr on February 24, 2012, 12:53:48 PM
- Randy carries an oil galley adapter for temp or pressure gauge sensors. What brands/models of sensors will fit that adapter? Some of the manufacturers don't list the thread size of their sensors.
- Lastly, I've noticed that many gauges go to 300o and some go to 340o. Do you find that your temperatures ever really go above 300o for your normal riding style? I realize this last question may result in many different answers as the answer would be based on different riding styles, climates, and oil coolers (OEM vs. aftermarket). I'm just trying to get a feel of what would work best for me.
I can offer you an answer to #2&3.
2) Any temperature sensor probe that has a 1/8"NPT will fit within my oil galley adapter. You need to verify the gauge you are buying has that size sending unit.
3) Normal operating temps should be 180-225 regarding oil temp. I do not believe there is no need to have a gauge that goes to 340.
Randy - RPM
Thanks for the info guys. I've been looking, and found out that Autometer and VDO both have sensors that will fit your galley plug Randy. I'm currently looking at marine type gauges from both manufacturers. I was hoping to find an actual waterproof gauge, but at least VDO and Autometer have water resistant gauges in their marine line of products, and hopefully that should be OK (it's not like I'm trying to convert the FJ into a mini-sub).
Anyway, the info provided is appreciated.
Where is the take off point for the gauge? What thread size is it, not an NPT for starters, :blum1:
Quote from: ELIMINATOR on February 26, 2012, 01:18:22 PM
Where is the take off point for the gauge? What thread size is it, not an NPT for starters, :blum1:
Hey Trev, not sure what you mean...these are electric temp. gauges.
The NPT thread is for the electric sender to thread into the galley plug.
I have this unit on my FJ and CB750. http://shindypro.com/catalog/each_q_ptype.key23.html (http://shindypro.com/catalog/each_q_ptype.key23.html) Very light weight easy to mount. Over 4 years of use with no problems.
I mean where on the engine is the thread that is used to attach the sender.
Quote from: ELIMINATOR on February 26, 2012, 03:29:31 PM
I mean where on the engine is the thread that is used to attach the sender.
You mean the thread size of the galley plug? Dunno, you could drill your own or buy one of these from Randy:
(http://www.rpmracingca.com/prodimages/large/Engine%20RPMGP-1.jpg)
http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Engine%3ARPMGP&cat=39 (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Engine%3ARPMGP&cat=39)
This thread interests me as I wait for my new oil cooler from Randy and research an oil temp gauge to install at the same time. When speaking to a supplier of VDO units, he mentioned that the sender unit was 2" long.
This got me to wondering
1. whether the senders are all this length?
2. will installing a sender this long interfere with any internals?
I have read the previous threads on installing oil temp gauges, but noone has mentioned this.
All help appreciated as always.
Cheers Dazza
Where in the engine does the oil galley adapter go?
was going to fit the same type of gauge to mine, but instead bought an oil filleg gauge that just screws into the oil filler plug housing, hard to read when moving :lol:, but works fine, temps in c and I havnt seen it above 70 ,
Quote from: fj1314 on August 23, 2012, 08:16:52 PM
Where in the engine does the oil galley adapter go?
I sent you an email with a photo earlier.
But, It goes in one of the three galley ports. The ports are under each side cover and have a 10mm allen plug installed. Or in the front of the block parallel with the end plugs under the header.
Randy - RPM
I used an automotive type gauge from VDO
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/Wave%20Rotor%20and%20Temp%20guage/CIMG5259.jpg)
Mounted it to the right side inner fairing panel.
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/Wave%20Rotor%20and%20Temp%20guage/CIMG5264.jpg)
Here's the adapter you need for the sender.
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/Wave%20Rotor%20and%20Temp%20guage/CIMG5256.jpg)
I mounted it on the front of the crankcase here.
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/Wave%20Rotor%20and%20Temp%20guage/CIMG5257.jpg)
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/Wave%20Rotor%20and%20Temp%20guage/CIMG5260.jpg)
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/Wave%20Rotor%20and%20Temp%20guage/CIMG5266.jpg)
I am not sure what the difference is, of the 3 galley plugs you could choose to locate the fitting.......maybe someone with a better knowledge of the inner oil flow through these passages, like Randy, could tell us.
I have gotten it wet a few times when washing the bike, and riding home in the rain, but have not seen any ill effects.
It's been working fine for 2 years :drinks:
FYI-
the 2 side plugs are M20-1.5 threads (certain years of Subaru engine plugs are the same) and the one facing forward, behind the exhaust pipes, is M16-1.5 thread.
The one plug facing forward is more direct in the oil volume, as the side ones are in passage ways involved in the oil relief valves system.
But any of the 3 plug locations should work as I think the manuals states the side plug is used to check pressure.
How do I know this...my forward plug broke at the threads and trying to find one that would fit locally was not easy.
Tony
Quote from: Antonn3 on August 24, 2012, 01:27:03 AM
FYI-
the 2 side plugs are M20-1.5 threads (certain years of Subaru engine plugs are the same) and the one facing forward, behind the exhaust pipes, is M16-1.5 thread.
The one plug facing forward is more direct in the oil volume, as the side ones are in passage ways involved in the oil relief valves system.
But any of the 3 plug locations should work as I think the manuals states the side plug is used to check pressure.
How do I know this...my forward plug broke at the threads and trying to find one that would fit locally was not easy.
Tony
Tony, I am never seen a FJ with a smaller galley plug behind the header, and I have seen thousands of them. The main oil galley plugs are all the same 20x1.5mm threads, as can be seen in by Alan's photos posted showing the installation of the 20x1.5mm oil galley adapter in the front facing fitting.
The three oil galley plugs mentioned are all the same direct oil feed from the oil pump, thus they receive the same oil volume. That is the main oil lubrication galley that supplies the crankshaft and does have a pressure relief valve to prevent excessive pressure.
There is a 16mm plug located in the side of the oil pan which is the secondary oil system post used for the oil cooler.
I would be interested in seeing a photo of the smaller oil galley fitting you have int he front of your block.
Randy - RPM
The Shindy digital unit is very, very easy to mount (no drilling) and works well. I have them on 2 bikes and no problems for over 6 years. Just replace the drain bolt with the correct adapter bolt and screw in the sensor. The sensor has a quick disconnect which makes draining oil as easy as stock. Also doubles as a clock. http://shindypro.com/catalog/each_q_ptype.key23.html (http://shindypro.com/catalog/each_q_ptype.key23.html)
I am probably going to do this project because I can, same reason as I did the bigger oil cooler mod :lol:, and this is one of those neat threads that just makes we want to do it.
but after goodness knows how many years of the the FJ in some reasonably hot Australian summers, I have never had an over heating issue or any performance issues due to heat, the only thing that over heats is me :wacko3:
so is there any "real" reason for having an oil temp gauge on a big air cooled lump like the FJ apart from the fact that it will look really cool :sarcastic:
Always nice to know what is happening. The oil temps certainly rise with more compression and displacement. I will say that there have been several occasions when I wish I didn't have the temp gauge....both involved being stuck in stop/go traffic for about 30 minutes.
Quote from: FJSpringy on August 25, 2012, 05:10:49 AM
so is there any "real" reason for having an oil temp gauge on a big air cooled lump like the FJ apart from the fact that it will look really cool :sarcastic:
Some people just like to keep tabs on their engine's operation....................I am one of those people......even though there is little you can do about it..
It did tell me a couple times, while stuck in traffic, that I needed to get over on the shoulder and ride past the line of stopped cars.....much to their dismay.
Good evening Gentlemen,
When I upgraded my road worn oil cooler with one from RPM, I installed both an oil temperature and an oil pressure gauge. I chose units from GlowShift and have had no problems at all. They both use electrical senders and I replaced the galley plugs with adaptors I purchased from Randy as well.
They are lighted & the nice thing is that they have a 270 degree sweep. To "water proof" them I used dialectic grease on the back of the gauges to seal the connections. It has worked fine after many thousands of miles as the grease does not wash out. The grease also seals out all the road grime that collects as the wind blows up through the fairing (the gauges mount on the small bolts that hold on the clip-ons). I periodically wipe it off (as it becomes dirty) and apply another coating.
I have never seen 300 degrees, even in the hottest conditions when pushing the bike hard. However, other than the occasional traffic back up, I cannot say that I have been stuck in traffic for an extended length of time.
The oil cooler itself as well as all the fittings have remained sound (after many thousands of miles) and the nice ting is that until it gets uncomfortably cold for the rider, the cooler maintains the oil temperature at 180 degrees which does not over cool the engine.
Ride safe,
Mike Ramos.