Adding Additional Oil Pressure Gauge???? (1 Viewer)

[Zane]

As most of us have noted the factory oil pressure gauge is much to be desired and it can create some anxiety when the needle drops so low, for some of us, at idle. I am considering adding an additional oil pressure gauge to relieve some of that anxiety. I would just like seeing what my PSI is, not just some dummy gauge that tells me nothing other than my oil pressure is going up and down… I have done several searches with little luck so here is my question.

First question: Can I place a “T” of some kind, where the factory sending unit goes into the block and place the factory sending unit on one side of the “T” and the aftermarket sending unit on the other side of the “T”?

Second question: I believe the factory set up is with an electrical gauge so if I can do the “T”, can I use a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the other end of the "T" for the aftermarket gauge or will this create some kind of crazy issue? I understand (right or wrong) that the mechanical oil pressure gauges are more reliable or should I used an electrical set up for the second gauge?

Any input would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[lahar50]

zjz I don't see why you couldn't do that.I don't like my factory guage eather.and was thinking of doing the same.I just had my engine rebuilt and had them check my pressure it was 18 at idle and 70 driving.

 

[-uhuru-]

Zane,

Did you end up finding a "T" .... I am doing the same thing tomorrow ... hope it works!

 

[MoGas]

First question: Can I place a “T” of some kind, where the factory sending unit goes into the block and place the factory sending unit on one side of the “T” and the aftermarket sending unit on the other side of the “T”?

Yes

Second question: I believe the factory set up is with an electrical gauge so if I can do the “T”, can I use a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the other end of the "T" for the aftermarket gauge or will this create some kind of crazy issue? I understand (right or wrong) that the mechanical oil pressure gauges are more reliable or should I used an electrical set up for the second gauge?

The pressure will be exerted equally to both the sending unit for the factory guage and the tubing inside the mechanical guage. I personally would not use anything less than an Auto Meter brand instrument http://autometer.com/




Dave

 

[Freshman]

Can someone make a picture of where that t split is located on the engine? Ik have the 24v tdi intercooler form a 96 model

 

[RavenTai]

As most of us have noted the factory oil pressure gauge is much to be desired and it can create some anxiety when the needle drops so low,

my oil pressure gauge is fine, it predictably follows RPM and oil temperature,

have you compared the positions of your gauge to the drawings in the owners manual? does yours behave diffrently than expected?

are you running a light weight oil?

 

[Mickldo]

Just did the same thing to my 80. Mines a diesel but it will be the same result. Have a read of my thread in the Diesel tech section.https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=92693

My gauge had a 1/8"BSP fitting on the end of the oil line whereas most of the gauges have 1/8"NPT. The factory (1HZ) sender unit uses 1/8"BSP so I was able to use a normal 1/8"BSP tee with a 1/8"BSP nipple. Most aftermarket gauges will require a special NPT to BSP Tee which you will need to get at the same time you get the gauge.

My 1HZ has a turbo which takes its oil feed from the same place so mine actually has a Tee screwed into a Tee. It works just fine.

 

[Aussie cruiser]

What brand gauge did you use and fron what supplier?

I have an after market mech temp gauge that I was going to fit but can't find the right spot to fit it any ideas. I tried were the original sender is but the bulb on the aftermarket one is too long..

 

[Mickldo]

Mine is a Pricol gauge. It was one I've had lieing around for years, IIRC I got it with a spare parts Daihatsu F10 I bought years ago.

The tees you get to suit the gauges are often a couple of inches long to allow fitment of the fittings. My gauge had a nylon line with a brass olive fitting attached to an 1/8"BSP male thread. The fitting only takes a 7/16" spanner so it's not exactly huge. I used a normal tee which is heaps shorter than the normal aftermarket tees and I had no dramas making it fit even though I've got the extra turbo oil lines cluttering things up more than normal.

Aussie cruiser, when you say you can't find the right spot do you mean the gauge or the sender? The oil line for the gauge I fitted to the tee mentioned above screwed into the original oil pressure sender location. The gauge I just temporarily fitted under the dash, just in front of the gear lever. My plan is to make a spacer for the overhead fuel gauge console to fit three gauges in a spot that looks "factory" and doesn't need big irreversible modifications. Mark's 4wd Adaptors makes a similar console spacer but I reckon I could make one to suit my needs.

 

[cheap 40]

I used a 1/8"-27 NPT brass tee with an adapter going to the engine. The 1/8"-28 BSP will thread into and seal in the tee. I've done this on both of my Cruisers and will be doing it to my Civic soon. Use sealant on all joints. The aftermarket oil gage will come with 1/8"-27 NPT fittings to mate to the brass tee.

I also prefer real numbers, not somewhere in the middle of two extremes.

Tony

 

[Tapage]

Zane,

Did you end up finding a "T" .... I am doing the same thing tomorrow ... hope it works!

Dude .. please post pics of this .. I'm interested in do the same thing.

 

[Aussie cruiser]

The problem with fitting the temp gauge was the sender. I tried where the original was but the sender was too long and it leaked through the fitting because I couldn't get it completely tight because of the length.

 

[Mickldo]

Yeah you might have problems with a temp gauge using just a normal tee. You might have to use a bush and a nipple to get enough length for your sender. Either that or machine up a custom billet adaptor out of brass. Do you have any fitter & turner mates that owe you a favour?

 

[Aussie cruiser]

I will have a look and see if I can get an extension in there either straight or with an elbow.