How to install an oil thermometer in your car

How to install an oil thermometer in the car

The watch comes with an oil probe and brief instructions.

La temperature and especially the oil pressure or lubrication are two of the most important parameters to know, related to the useful life of an engine. In cars from several decades ago it was quite common to include a oil pressure gauge and thermometer. Today, some do not bring nor the temperature of the water. Although we can always install as many additional clocks as we want

In the last ten years, being bonus clock that I added to the car was the turbo pressure gauge. Of course it is not essential, but it is nice to see the needle shoot out with each step of the accelerator.

Why an oil thermometer

The next clock I planned to assemble was the oil pressure, a much more important data than the temperature. Do not forget that pressure and temperature are directly related (as the temperature rises, the pressure falls and vice versa) and through the pressure gauge you can tell by eye if the oil temperature is excessive.

The problem is that mounting an oil pressure gauge poses technical problems and a mistake in the assembly can leave you stranded, due to losing the lubrication pressure. This car (Fiat Grande Punto) does not have many places to measure the pressure, but you can always put a “T” on the oil warning light pressure switch itself that incorporates the car (fateful red witness that nobody wants to see turn on in gear).

The turbo pressure gauge goes on the A-pillar, so the oil gauge has to find a place.

The turbo pressure gauge goes on the A-pillar, so the oil gauge has to find a place.

What is lacking

Without getting too wrapped up in details on pressure and temperature, we proceed to describe how to assemble the oil temperature gauge and the necessary materials:

  • 1 Oil Temp Gauge There are of all prices and designs, although almost all have the same size (52mm in diameter)
  • temperature probe, if the clock does not incorporate it. The model that I bought already had it, the simplest.
  • Extra colored cables, in case the ones that come with the watch do not arrive.
  • Terminal strips for splicing cables.
  • Pliers
  • Screwdrivers, keys, levers...everything you need to "embed" the clock in the chosen hole.
  • 1 sump plug. It's not essential, but just in case...
  • Taladro
  • Tap
  • Teflon tape

Choose the site for the clock

The first is choose the site to install the clock. The logical place would have been next to the turbo pressure, in the A-pillar. The problem is that the clock is already quite close to the deployment zone of the airbag and I don't want to have the slightest doubt that the invention may affect my safety. That's why I chose to give up the ashtray, which after all I don't use, and take advantage of the hole to house the clock.

The good news is that fits almost perfectly and it seems that the watch comes from there. Only a few millimeters in diameter are missing for it to fit. I filled this diameter with silicone and after hardening, I put a rubber gasket (a seal) so that the finish was good and nothing was seen. The result seems more than acceptable to me.

Install an oil thermometer in the car in the ashtray hole

pass the wires

Before setting the clock I made a hole in the bottom of the ashtray and another in its support, to pass the cables to the central tunnel. We already have the clock installed in its final place, it would only be necessary to paste it (which I will do the last thing in case problems arise).

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Oil thermometer in the car

Install the temperature probe

Drill the sump plug

LThe most complicated part is installing the temperature probe. In my case I decided drill the plug or crankcase screw with a through hole and thread the probe into it. There are Other options, such as installing a T in some part of the circuit (sometimes this is done to obtain pressure and temperature at the same time). Other times it may happen that the thread of the probe coincides with that of the sump and it is only necessary to change the cap for the probe. It was not my case and I had to drill.

car oil thermometer

Drilling and tapping the crankcase plug does not pose any problem to a person who is used to this type of work. Since it is not my case, I decided to take it to an acquaintance so that he could do it. The first thing was drill the hexagon where the key is applied and thread. Too bad he made a mistake with the thread pitch and left the crankcase plug useless (that's why I recommend buying a spare, in case we screw up and find ourselves on a Sunday with a crankcase without a plug...).

My friend took the matter personally and decided to retrieve the drilled plug welding a billet of iron which he would re-drill with the correct thread. The result is what you see. Although I got it on the second try.

Installation of an oil thermometer

On the second try it turned out great.

Wire up the clock

We already have our probe inserted in the sump plug (of course, a good dose of Teflon between the probe and the cap). We close the casing and only it would be necessary to wire up the clock. By the way, I introduce the electrical cables by an antithermal cover that will protect them throughout their lives.

Related article:
How to change the oil in your car?
Installing the thermometer on your site

Here the plug with the probe and the cables already placed in the casing

To pass the cable I decided take advantage of the installation I made for the turbo pressure gauge. I put the cable through the same place (gap between the fin and the crossbar) and I take advantage of the “tinkering” in the door frame. Days after putting the clock of the turbo I observed that there is a practical stopper at the height of the left ankle, but taking advantage of it would mean having to remove the A-pillar again.

paste clock

After going around to check that everything works correctly, all that remains is to glue the clock in its place definitively. That is, seal it with silicone and, once it has dried, put a rubber gasket or seal, so that it is well finished in sight.


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