Oil Temp or Oil Pressure Gauge?

[86FJNJ]

I see RPM sells separate oil temperature and oil pressure gauges. Curious if anyone is running one and why? With the FJ being air cooled and me getting caught at some longer stoplights having the temp gauge would offer some entertainment but I'm not sure it adds much value. Where as the pressure gauge would alert me to an issue if the oil system failed but I'm not sure if that Should even be a concern, I'm not sure I've heard of people blowing their engines because the oil pump failed.

Curious on the groups thoughts since I'm not aware of a gauge that shows both oil temp and pressure so seems like have to pick.

[Pat Conlon]

Between the two I would opt for an oil temp gauge, not to be worried about high oil temps but to watch when my cold oil temp gets to the 180° safe zone before I start hammering on my engine.

I find it amazing how long I have to ride on the street before my oil properly warms up.

I lived 40 years in the low desert and I can imagine my summer oil temps exceeding 280-300°, but as long as I have air flow over the engine, all is well. It's the 117° days with stop and go traffic that's alarming.

Oil pressure is not an issue. The racers have found FJ 2 stage oil pump system to be remarkably robust. HSR has a supplemental oil line kit for the FJ engine that adds more oil volume to the cams. Broken cams from heat distortion seems to be a problem with the racers, but that's cooling airflow related, not oil related. 

[Millietant]

I wouldn't bother with either - FJ's don't fail due to overheating their oil, or due to oil pressure issues (pump failures).

If you fit one, it will only get you needlessly worried about the numbers you're reading from time to time.

I can imaging for some high level racers and for legend race cars, then there could be some merit in monitoring those, but on a street bike, just don't give yourself something else to worry about needlessly.

[86FJNJ]

Thanks for the input!

[red]

86FJNJ,

If I had to choose, I'd want to see oil temps, but I probably would have both, or neither.  At idle, FJ oil pressures can get to 10 PSI or maybe less, and most riders will panic over such low numbers.  It was always like that, but they just never knew.  Pat gives you good advice above, about oil temps.
Still, it's your call there.

[Pat Conlon]

Yea....Dean brings up a good point, why the needless worry? I have to agree.


I think a TPMS would be more practical for safety reasons.
To be alerted to a slow leak could save you some excitement while at freeway speed.