Oil Temp Sensor - What Type?

I'd like to measure oil temperature and wondered what do you actually measure? Is it the oil temperature or the head temperature?

Could anyone recommend a certain style or brand?

Thanks

Cole

HI Cole,,
There are several different types available. I understand that the Gene Berg dipstick probe is the most accurate. I believe it connects to a warning light on your instrument cluster,, which then flashes red at a designated temperature. I however have the 2-1/16 vdo seperate guage with a vdo sensor that doubles as my oil drain plug. I find it works very well,,, and it agrees with the opening temperature of my mechanical oil cooler bypass thermostat as well. This is the most useful guage in my Speedster,, and I would not be without it. Cheers, Alan

I'm not so sure I'd want a sensor hanging down from the sump and used as an oil drain plug. Probably, I'd install a "T" fitting and measure the oil temp. where the "idiot" light sensor is located. With a "T", you can have both an idiot light and a sendor for a dedicated oil temperature gauge.

Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) is a device that fits under a spark plug and measures the temperature of the aluminum head. You'd need 4 of them and a switch if only using 1 CHT gauge.

I like how the T4 engine uses the second sump round plate. It has an angled recesses plate where the VDO Temp gauge sender mounts - it even has a clip to hold the wire from dangling. They call it a TACO plate for some bizarre reason. I've already managed to bang and break one of the brass T fitting that go into idiot light hole - plus that isn't great area for oil temp reading. Fortunately the remaining brass threads came out easily.

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/VDOGauges.html

Larry,, I am guessing the vdo oil pan sender hangs about 1/4" lower than the standard drain plug. Not a problem for the ground clearance that I have. Alan
Here is the link: https://www.cip1.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VDO-323-056

Many years ago, (mid-70's)some company came out with an oil sump sender basically as in the CIP1 catalog. The only reason I remember it is because it was on a VW sedan (normal height) and the driver hit a small chunk of tire tread in the roadway which in turn hit the sender/oil plug and it broke , dumping oil on the roadway and allowing me to earn some money rebuilding his engine. I just prefer having senders above the roadway. Seems to me that installing a "T" and the oil sender along with the idiot light sender is just as easilyl done if not easier than a sump plug sender but, to each his own.

I have a VDO oil temp sensor that replaces the oil pressure relief valve screw. It's a straight replacement and isn't at the lowest point on the engine.

i have this smart little thingy

it combines the oil pressure switch with the oil temp sensor.
easypesy

I dunno Jesper, that's gettin awful hi tech for these cars, don't ya think?

hehehe - could be

then just put an fresh egg on the engine, and if its gets hardboiled - it have been to hot ;-)

here is from CIP1, the adaptor i use to combine oil pressure and oil temp sensors.

https://www.cip1.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VDO%2D240%2D850

That's a pretty common one, Jesper. Many of use something just like that.

correct me if im wrong, but isnt that pretty standard... the two sensors. I dont have a stand alone oil temp gauge but as I understand it one wire goes to the oil temp in the combo gauge and another wire goes to the dummy light for oil pressure. Correct?