Oil temp sender - oil flow resitriction?

[Drew325is]

I've taken a leaf out of Alpina's book, and want to mount my oil temp sender into the hollow bolt that holds the oil filter housing to the block. In fact, I had the Alpina parts to do this, but it turns out none of it is compatible with my M20B25 with oil cooler (the bits I had are ex-M20B23). So, I've removed the hollow bolt from my car, with the intention of having a hole drilled in the head of it, tap it, and then mount the sender. My only concern is that sender itself may impede oil flow. Here's some pics to demonstrate:


As you can see, the sender will penetrate a reasonable way into the bolt...I just have no idea how far in is too far. Any thoughts on this???

Cheers,

Drew.

[James Crivellone]

I know a LOT of people have mounted it there, and I plan on doing it myself.

My sensor is not as deep though (E30 M3 OEM Sensor)

I know Jordan did it that way.

[Drew325is]

The OEM sender would have been a logical choice...but it'll cost me a fortune here. The VDO was only like $30 AUD.

I'll see how I go...a washer or two will probably clear enough space to give me peace of mind.

[Jordan]

I have mine there.

No problems.

Thats a huge passage compared to some the oil gets pushed through. It has alot of pressure behind it, and it doesn't compress well. It will go where it has to.

[Drew325is]

Cool...thanks Jordan. Did you use the OEM sender?

BTW, are any of you guys up on how impedance of the sender would affect the guage? When i bought the sender, they asked how ohms did I want...I have no idea though of what the impedance of the OEM sender is...so I asked for whichever is most likely for BMW stuff. I tested the sender by putting it into a mug freshly boiled water from the kettle for a few minutes, then earthing it. Gauge read about 70oC. Which is probably right. What I'm wondering is, if I had the wrong impedance, would the gauge read way out, or just a little bit out??? Any ideas?

[Jordan]

I used a VDO sender.

300F/150C M12x1.5

You need to use the right OHM range for your gauge.

[Drew325is]

Sounds like we are using the same sender Jordon???

I got the VDO 50-150oC M12x1.5.

I know I need the right ohm range...I'm just wondering if it'd be obvious if I had the wrong one...i.e. in my experiment would it be reading something like 170oC instead of 70oC? Know what I mean???...like how it's obvious if you set a tacho wrongly for the number of cylinders....you know right away.

[Jordan]

You'll know if you have the wrong one I suspect.

My invoice for the sender doesn't list the ohm range, only what i typed above.

[Drew325is]

Cool...cheers Jordan.

I'll hopefully have everything back together by the weekend...finger's crossed it'll work hassle free!

[Drew325is]

Okee dokee...got oil temp gauge up and running (just waiting to see if I get any oil leaks now). So far, the highest I've seen the temp is just over 75oC...that's with cruising around the suburbs for about 20 minutes, with the occasional blat through the revs and gears. Is this temp about right?

Cheers!

[AdamF 88iS]

I mounted one there on a customer's car a few years ago with the E30 M3 sensor and it's been fine; and it's a pure track car.