gettingan8

I have a 2004 with an AT and I would like to measure the oil temp after a hot day/traffic drive. I have looked all over (google) for a temperature measuring device with a long skinny probe to use thru the dipstick tube. I find lots of motorcycle "dipstick probes" but no automotive devices.

A standard termocouple driven readout would do if I could find one.

With all the threads on engine failue due to temperature ,like in Las Vegas, I thought some of you would be measuring oil tamp.

Any Ideas?.............thanks

Go48

Question: If you DO find a device/techinque for measuring oil temps, what will you compare the numbers with? In other words, what constitutes good and bad oil temps in an RX-8? I'm not trying to be a smart ***, but unless you know these parameters for the car from the manufacturer, measuring the temps will not tell you much.

Yeah, I know, someone on the forum will swear that they know that information. Unless that information comes from the horses mouth, that information ain't worth diddly.

gettingan8

Once you have an operating oil temp....you find out at what temp oil starts breaking down.....in other words we have step one....


For example, from one web site:High oil temperature in excess of 240°F (115°C) will break down petroleum oils and cause oxidation, which in turn forms deposits, varnish and increases wear

Another web site: Vehicle manufacturers and oil companies say the ideal operating range for non-synthetic engine oil is between 180 and 220° F. While operating within this range, oil does its job lubricating, cleaning and cooling the parts

zoom44

under 210 degress is fine. a couple people have seen 240 or more would be bad.

ask Jay goldfarb how he installed his oil temp guage

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=187

rotarygod

I'm going to just go ahead and disagree with you on that one. If he finds out what his oil temps are, it is very easy to find out if those are bad or not and whether he should be concerned enough to do something about it. Temperature of oil is temperature of oil. It doesn't matter what engine it is in. If it is hot enough, it will break down. 240*F is quite high. Too high for my tastes. Racing Beat recommends no more than 210*F oil temps. We already know the source of most engine failures has been due to excessively high oil temps. He should be concerned. The wrong thing to do if his temps are too high is to ignore it as normal and then run a higher weight oil to try to compensate. That will do nothing.

Rasputin

VDO makes one. I'll try to find the P/N for you.

F

gettingan8

Thanks

zoom44

the information i post about subjects like that always comes from the " horse's mouth" .

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Okay guys I don't want resurrect this thread but I must. I need to measure the oil temps in my new motor. What in your opinions are the best options for measuring this? I like the Racing beat pod but its a bit pricey and I don't need water temp.

czar

iTrader: (3)

prosport gauge ? some of them come with a cup to mount it with, could stick it on the steering column or the base of the a pillar

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I can find gauges but do I want electric or mechanical? Also, is RB the only place to get the sandwich plate and temperature sending unit?

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

go here man. everything you need. i'd recommend getting electrical gauges so you only need to run electrical lines. mechanical gauges you would have to route an oil line into your passenger compartment.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

So if the guage comes with the sender then i just need teh sadnwich plate right?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

see my sticky thread in the interior electronics section. Everything you need (plus DIY)

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

yes. depending on the thread size of the sender you may need an adapter, but if you got prosprt gauges, then you should be fine.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

But I still need the sandwich plate right?

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

yes. i have an extra one you could buy from me. i'm switching to an oil filter relocation kit to get better access to my oil filter.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Electrical works well....there are a couple of places to put the sensors..oil pan works..I put mine in the bolt for the feed to the oil cooler line..works well

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Okay now I'm confused. With and electrical I can just get the signal from whatever oil I place the thermostat in? Or does the sender have to be hooked up to the sandwich plate?

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

the sender is mounted in the sandwich plate which has 2 leads that connect to wiring. you then run the wiring to your gauge.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

You don't really need a sandwich plate..there are other ways to get the sender in the oil

If you have access to a machine shop....or a lathe..you can drill the head out of the banjo bolt on the block....and put it there. ( 1/4 NPT works well)

You just have to be careful you don't impede oil flow....it's a very neat and easy way to do it

tmak26b

Non synthetic oil can run way more than 220F, but they definitely don't handle as much as synthetic oil. Oil temperature is mostly depended on the motor. Some motors are setup at 160F, some at 180F and some at 210F. It's different for every motor, make sure you are comparing to the same thing.

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

9K, you ever get this figured out? i got an oil filter sandwich plate if you wanna buy it.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Oh, yeah I'm gonna go with the prosport guage and the vent pod. PM me about the sandwich plate.