Best location for oil temp sender on e30

[DCColegrove]

Flow isn't what you need for accurate oil temp readings, immersion in oil is.
The mass of the filter housing (or any other engine part will skew the readings).


You can either trust me on this one or not... However, I can tell you I've had engines on the dyno with more than 20 temp probes in various portions of the oiling system.
...not to mention every other place you could imagine.

[matt]

You would have to try pretty hard to get a location that doesn't give valuable information. For what we're doing here, which is basically A) making sure a motor has warm oil before working it and B) making sure the oil stays in an acceptable range, the absolute temp is not as important as comparing the current temp to a normal running condition. Ditto oil pressure.

[DCColegrove]

True... however.

There are cases (I can think of three...bet you could too if presented with the puzzle) where the oil filter block will intermittently give you a grossly inaccurate temperature reading.

[franco90]

Why buy an adapter when you can simply tap the center of the oil filter housing bolt?



Costs next to nothing, and does not require an adapter (not a fan of those)

can you show me a picture of this in your engine. where can I get one of those.

[James Crivellone]

can you show me a picture of this in your engine. where can I get one of those.

e30 m3 temp sender from anybody who can get bmw parts, and the hollow bolt you already have on the motor (if you have an m20b25)

[Uber E30]

Is there a solution like this for an s50?

[nando]

Oil temp senders should always be in the sump (Oil pan).

Why you ask?

Because that's the rule...

(and the only place for an accurate oil temp reading).

wow, old thread

and yet another reason why nobody should believe a word this guy says

[Uber E30]

Yeah i know its old would rather just search/bump instead of making a new one. I know of the UUC oil cap but looking for a more... economical solution.

[nando]

are you just doing a temperature sensor, not pressure?

the VDO pressure sensor has a built in pressure switch that you can use to wire up the dash light. Convienently, their temp sensor threads right into where the stock pressure switch goes. So if you have a pressure sensor (I know some don't like it, but threaded into the hollow bolt works for me) you can remove the stock switch and replace it with a temp sensor.

if you are just doing a temp sensor, you can thread it into the hollow bolt.

do NOT put it in the oil pan, despite what our resident liar has to say, that's the worst place for a temp sensor. You'll never get a temp reading untill your oil is very hot, and then it will still read much cooler. Unless you think a temp of 140 degrees on a 95 degree day after sitting in traffic for 5 hours is "accurate". :p

[Uber E30]

Yeah just a temp sensor, im running an m3 cluster. Which bolt on the s50 are you talking about? Im assuming number 13 here:



I didnt even realize number 14 was there can i just pop that out and stick the e30m3 temp sender in there or do/should i run that pressure sender too?

[gazellebeigem3]

Yeah just a temp sensor, im running an m3 cluster. Which bolt on the s50 are you talking about? Im assuming number 13 here:



I didnt even realize number 14 was there can i just pop that out and stick the e30m3 temp sender in there or do/should i run that pressure sender too?

Heres my choice:

http://store.bimmerworld.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?RowID=1250&CS=bimmerworl&All=

[Uber E30]

link doesn't work

[reelizmpro]

They just tap the banjo bolt fitting...number 13.

[fporro]

VDO makes nice ones, tee off pressure sensor port @ 5Bar.
Temp from oil pan drain plug, ither 17 or 19mm @ temps of 150c/300f range

[george graves]

You'll never get a temp reading untill your oil is very hot, and then it will still read much cooler. Unless you think a temp of 140 degrees on a 95 degree day after sitting in traffic for 5 hours is "accurate". :p

Hey Nando, I don't know about this one, I've read a few things to suggest that oil pan IS the best place to get a stable oil temp. Sure the oil pan will act as a heat sink a bit, but I can't think of a better place where these is more oil, and less heat from other components then the pan it's self.

Can you convince me otherwise?