Oil Coolers, Temperature, Gauges

[Wayne]

Good suggestion, shows how much I know LOL I was hoping someone had already done this and had pictures. I'm not too adventurous with a car I'm making payments on but was hoping to use the engine start button spot to mount one of those 2" ones they have on ebay.

[Daox]

Ditto, use OBDII for that info. So much easier and no cutting!

[Wayne]

I just hate not having a temp gauge that I can't just glance at and know where it's at. lol I'd almost trade my tach for that, almost but not quite though haha

[foama]

I just hate not having a temp gauge that I can't just glance at and know where it's at. lol I'd almost trade my tach for that, almost but not quite though haha

Hello Wayne and Alex, I've had this car for four years now. Just as you, I wanted to know what the temperatures in summer are, but I didn't want to permanently install any instruments. So I got two cheap digital thermometers with external temp sensors, and installed the the first sensor on top of the oilfilter with a rag around it, and tied together with some string, so that the sensor firmly touches the oilfilter and does not get any wind on it. The second sensor was firmly attached to the cylinder head on the side towards the transmission.

The results: On long highway trips, I was surprised by the coolant temperature being stable and almost not rising at all while driving up a very long and steep road up a mountain. The oiltemp was always lower than the coolant temp, and never rose further than 78°C, no matter how I drove the car. I would call that an excellent result, telling me this engine is very soundly constructed. After that, I never had the urge to re-measure temps.
Btw, This car dont have a tach, and the grill is blocked two-thirds all year round...

[Top_Fuel]

I just hate not having a temp gauge that I can't just glance at and know where it's at.

Here's a Scangauge showing coolant temperature and volts. I think it took me 30 seconds to plug it in to my OBDII port.

[Wayne]

I think I'm being misunderstood. While I understand that I could plug in and find out rpm, time, speed etc and it would only take me 15 seconds as well I think it's nice to be able to see while driving what's going on. I guess I'm old fashioned in that way lol

[Top_Fuel]

I think I'm being misunderstood...I think it's nice to be able to see while driving what's going on.

We got what you're saying. The gauge in that picture is always in place on the dash and it's always connected to the OBDII port. When I start the car, it lights up and I see all of the readings. It's a "permanent" gauge in the car...but you can install it in less than a minute. That's why gauges like this are the way to go for things like coolant temperature.

[FloridaG4]

Which Scan Gauge are you using? I see different versions.

[Wayne]

You mean I misunderstood? That's not possible...

Thanks, I'll look into it.

[Top_Fuel]

You mean I misunderstood? That's not possible...

LOL... I say that to my wife all the time...

The Scan Gauge's you are using are they the ScanGauge II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer...

Yes...that's the one. There are other devices that do the same thing. Some can even display more info at one time. Check out Eggman's post earlier in this thread for the device he uses.