With my 2.1 build coming along I've thought about monitoring such things as oil pressure and temp to make sure I did it right .
For the folk who do have gauges, did you splash and go VDO or are they cheaper good quality brands?
Was thinking of putting the temp gauge either in the sump plug or get the relief cap replacement that allows you to fit a temp sensor there.
As for pressure sender, the VDO units are expensive for what they are, There any other "quality" brands out there?
Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
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Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
Last edited by Stesaw on 20 Mar 2021, 19:46, edited 1 time in total.
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
- DoubleOSeven
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Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
You mention oil pressure and oil temp. If the temp is going up, then the oil pressure is going down, so do you need both?
I decided against both oil gauges and just went with oil temp. So I could have a rev counter instead on my early bus.
VDO rev counters are expensive and the aftermarket ones are fine apart from the backlight being red, could be cool - but quite bright in comparison, but an inline resistor can sort the brightness out. I’ve never had any reliability issues with my Rev counter. Oil temp VDO are half the price of rev. counters so go for it. They are a close enough match, you won’t notice after a couple of weeks.
https://youtube.com/shorts/SBuQVVy3OGM
I decided against both oil gauges and just went with oil temp. So I could have a rev counter instead on my early bus.
VDO rev counters are expensive and the aftermarket ones are fine apart from the backlight being red, could be cool - but quite bright in comparison, but an inline resistor can sort the brightness out. I’ve never had any reliability issues with my Rev counter. Oil temp VDO are half the price of rev. counters so go for it. They are a close enough match, you won’t notice after a couple of weeks.
https://youtube.com/shorts/SBuQVVy3OGM
1990 Volkswagen Transporter 2.1 Manual
2005 Porsche 911 3.6 Manual
2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Automatic
2005 Porsche 911 3.6 Manual
2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Automatic
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Re: Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
If I didn't have a rev counter I'd have considered getting one. In terms of oil pressure I'd just like to know the engine it healthy after the rebuild and to also keep an eye on it as well as having the DOPS system.
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
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Re: Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
They’ll be times when you wish you didn’t have the gauges because they are basically ‘worry gauges’ in all honesty. Your engine will be fine. Nice upgrade though. Oh, the bezel on non VDO gauges goes a bit bronze in colour after a few years from the sunlight, but again; you’ll be past the need for perfection by then and won’t notice too much.
1990 Volkswagen Transporter 2.1 Manual
2005 Porsche 911 3.6 Manual
2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Automatic
2005 Porsche 911 3.6 Manual
2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Automatic
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Re: Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
Yeah I thought that but once I get used to knowing what the norm is I don't think I'd bother too much. I do like the idea of seeing a more accurate reading of whats going on in the engine rather than an LED and a buzzer.
I assume the dashpod is the one from Brickwerks.
I assume the dashpod is the one from Brickwerks.
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
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Re: Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
I have cheapo gauges in our van ( EJ20 Subaru)
Water temp, oil pressure and temperature.
When out on a run just a cursory glance from time to time puts my mind at ease .
When up to temp and running they all tend to point to 12 o clock . Nice and simple.
Water temp, oil pressure and temperature.
When out on a run just a cursory glance from time to time puts my mind at ease .
When up to temp and running they all tend to point to 12 o clock . Nice and simple.
Auto sleeper fitted with EJ 20 subaru lump
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Re: Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
Not so much on my van, but on previous cars,
I rarely find problems with oil pressure gauges.
I tend to find that it is the senders that become unreliable as they get older.
On one car, I had to change the sender three times in about ten years.
On occasions, I have found manufacturers' own senders can be faulty from new.
I rarely find problems with oil pressure gauges.
I tend to find that it is the senders that become unreliable as they get older.
On one car, I had to change the sender three times in about ten years.
On occasions, I have found manufacturers' own senders can be faulty from new.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
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Re: Oil Pressure and Temp gauges
Well I guess pretty much every part degrades over time. I don't think I want to skimp on a sender so I'll probably get a vdo one. Brickwerks seems cheapest but out of stock.
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project