Best location for oil temp sender on e30

[thedentonmare]

Searched to no avail, and perhaps this is better served in the 24V swap section.. but anyways:

I've got an S52 swapped car converted to run OBD1. I'd love to get some additional intelligence on oil temperature as well - are there any good economical options for me there? S54 oil filter housing + cooler + temp gauge the best route?

[e30onBBSs]

Idk if anyone said this but sandwhich plate.

[faffierwaffle]

Thanks guys for the input, good to know the hollow bolt doesnt exist on my M42. I have decided to fit the DS18B20 sensors into some 1/8 NPT bushings with some JB (fingers crossed) to seal it.

Special thanks to Panici for the link to a T adapter, i searched for hours and couldnt find anything, didnt check on UK websites though...

Also this happened on my way to work... so the project is on hold for another day or so until i get a new oil pan...

[nando]

on mine I just drilled the hole in the head of the bolt and tapped the threads for the pressure sensor (you could do the temp sensor there instead of course).

[reelizmpro]

Sorry to Reopen a VERY old thread, but times have changed, i have a new question, and servers stop hosting photos... so thanks in advance if you take still take the time.

My question references tapping the hollow bolt in the oil filter housing. Which i believe is #5 here.

the original pictures do not load any more so this is slightly an assumption. if anyone can post a picture of the bolt being tapped, thatd be amazing.

I want to measure oil temp sensors by tapping this bolt and sliding a ds18b20 temp sensor inside the bolt and then sealing it at the top. Will this work?
The bolt is hollow but sealed so there is no actual flow inside the bolt, correct? Someone mentioned they did their pressure sender through the bolt that implies oil flows through the bolt, how is that possible if its sealed. Am i also supposed to drill into the side of the hollow bolt to allow flow and then measure the temp of the oil flowing? If there is flow how hard is it to seal at the top since i cant just tap and screw because the sensor is just a wire wrapped in heat shield (the tip is not shielded obviously :D). Thanks for you time.

The hollow bolt isn't sealed. There's oil flow from the block through the middle. There's an o ring seal on the outside and there are oil holes so the oil can travel to the oil cooler. This bolt is featured on the 325i only. I did this 20 years ago. Drilled a hole in the bolt head and welded a nut on top of the bolt with the correct thread (also to space it back a bit) and used an M3 vdo oil temp sender since I had an M3 cluster in my 325.

[Panici]

Not sure if this helps.
This is my plan for pressure and temperature sensors. I have all the parts, but haven't had a chance to put them in.


Sorry for the multiple/large pictures. I had trouble with hosting and uploading making the text unreadable.

[vpilarrt]

The hollow bolt is used on the 325e/I, not the 318is. I used a T fitting (actually a ~2" ling bar with a port tapped into the side) screwed into the port where the OEM oil pressure sensor (#12 in your attachment) attaches.

[faffierwaffle]

Sorry to Reopen a VERY old thread, but times have changed, i have a new question, and servers stop hosting photos... so thanks in advance if you take still take the time.

My question references tapping the hollow bolt in the oil filter housing. Which i believe is #5 here.

the original pictures do not load any more so this is slightly an assumption. if anyone can post a picture of the bolt being tapped, thatd be amazing.

I want to measure oil temp sensors by tapping this bolt and sliding a ds18b20 temp sensor inside the bolt and then sealing it at the top. Will this work?
The bolt is hollow but sealed so there is no actual flow inside the bolt, correct? Someone mentioned they did their pressure sender through the bolt that implies oil flows through the bolt, how is that possible if its sealed. Am i also supposed to drill into the side of the hollow bolt to allow flow and then measure the temp of the oil flowing? If there is flow how hard is it to seal at the top since i cant just tap and screw because the sensor is just a wire wrapped in heat shield (the tip is not shielded obviously :D). Thanks for you time.

[george graves]

Just FYI - there are also sensor that have a pressure out for a gauge, and an output for the warning light if you want to keep the light working.

Nando - from what everyone say, you were right - the pan isn't going to give you accurate oil temps (why I didn't believe you, I don't know - it's just not what I expected)

Thanks!

[reelizmpro]

Ok, just got finished installing my oil thermostat. With the AC compressor, turbo manifold, etc. It makes running oil lines and relocation kit sort of a pain snaking the lines around. Anyway, I installed a second oil temp sender in the housing on the block measuring inlet oil after cooler. Fully warmed up the gauge now reads a touch over 180, which was to be expected. Previously, the pan sensor (measuring HOT oil) only read 150. That's at least a 30 degree difference. The previous owner put the sensor in one of the worst possible spots, high on the drivers side of the pan. The M20 is tilted at an angle and the oil returns on the passenger side from the head. I imagine a drain bolt sensor would do a better job since it's on that side of the engine.

[nando]

yep

[Uber E30]

Its just the light in my cluster right? Yeah im ok with that

[nando]

yes, as long as you're ok with not having the dummy light.

[Uber E30]

So, if my housing has that sensor i can just swap it for the temp sensor and be good?

[nando]

the pressure sensor is just a switch that turns on the dummy light. if you've got a pressure gauge the sensor will usually have it's own pressure switch. in any case it's not critical, by the time the dummy light comes on your engine is usually toast anyway.