mechanical vs electrical oil gauges

[franco90]

mechanical vs electrical oil gauges
which ones work better?.

[rThor432]

Just run an oil feed to a mechanical guage like MB did/does.

Honestly I dont know that there is much difference between the two.

[franco90]

dude can you show me a picture of (location where Oil feed Starts) it I am trying to put a Mechanical Oil gauge in the IX

[rThor432]

Might be able to if we have a MB at work tomorrow. Seems like all of the old ones need cluster work when they come in.

[nando]

my electric one seems to work just fine I think most issues people have are from bad grounding. a mechanical gauge just sounds like another leak waiting to happen, plus the electric one is really easy to hook up.

[Borat]

^ agreed. I'd prefer not to have 60psi of hot oil running into the cabin

[DaveSmed]

Mechanical gauges tend to be more accurate, and back in the day they used to offer a 270 degree sweep where the electrics were limited to 90 degrees.

Times have changed a bit, and the accuracy difference and limitations of electrical vs. mechanical have diminished. Mechanical is still slightly more accurate and reliable but for most people, the difference comes in installation difficulty where electrical is usually the easiest option for most people.


Also, someone asked about mechanical gauge failure. The amount of oil to enter the car will be relatively small due to the very small diameter of the tubing. Regardless, many racing classes forbid any kind of flammable liquid running into the cab. The solution? A gauge isolator. Oil runs up to a rubber diaphragm and acts to pressurize the ethylene glycol (or some other non-flammable liquid) that runs through the firewall and up to the gauge.

[DaveSmed]

Oh yea, another thing.... Temperature gauges. Check them for accuracy! Check out this write up: http://www.madelectrical.com/worksho...mp-gauge.shtml

Trust me, that one bit me in the ass HARD recently.

[Draccent]

I'll NEVER have another mechanical gauge in my cars. I had a mechanical oil pressure gauge that started leaking in my hyundai. The smell of oil never left the car. It was just above my gear shift console too, so it naturally ran all over the carpet. I've head stories of a-pillar mounted gauges coating windshields in oil. Electric all the way.

[cramer]

my electric one seems to work just fine I think most issues people have are from bad grounding. a mechanical gauge just sounds like another leak waiting to happen, plus the electric one is really easy to hook up.

Agreed.

Electrical gauges have never failed me in the past, plus no chance of leaks!

[thull]

running oil into the cabin doesn't seem like a good idea to me - electric gauge ftw

[franco90]

thanks every one for the help.

[DaveSmed]

I'll NEVER have another mechanical gauge in my cars. I had a mechanical oil pressure gauge that started leaking in my hyundai. The smell of oil never left the car. It was just above my gear shift console too, so it naturally ran all over the carpet. I've head stories of a-pillar mounted gauges coating windshields in oil. Electric all the way.

Mechanical gauges are factory in many applications, as mentioned above, and they do just fine. Proper installation is key though, kinked lines at the back of the gauge are a common error with mechanical aftermarket gauges.

For the most responsive, accurate gauge, go mechanical. For the simplest to install, and most flexible as far as mounting options are concerned, go electric.

If oil/fuel is not allowed in the passenger compartment per class rules, and you wish to run mechanical gauges, use an isolator.

[franco90]

This is the mechanical Oil gauge i be using thanks again

[Erick]

Bumping this up from the dead as I've been researching about this debate. It seems that the opinion varies from forum to forum, but the consensus seems to point towards mechanical gauges.

Obviously the leak seems to be the issue, but Vortex and another board (cant recall now) have suggested using copper tubing, which won't break and cause a leak.

I am inclined to go with the mechanical for the simplicity and cost. I'm sure even with copper tubing I'll be spending less with the mechanical gauge as I will with an electrical one. Once you start adding senders and metric adapters, things add up quick!