dash mounted engine temp gauge

Post by **Defender110** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:11 pm

And your asking us how?

johnbird · Post by **johnbird** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:18 pm

fabricating a mount or running cables is relatively easy its the information you all have about your experience in doing the job is what i seek.the knowledge of a blanking screw for a sensor in the system is priceless.the suggestion of where to mount it -coin tray-was really clever and much less work than replacing the dash-which is generally trickier than it looks and i have done a few. thats the great thing about forums.there are lots of people with encyclopedic knowledge at their fingertips.
its a good job none of you saw what we used to do to our cars as kids!

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:32 pm

I changed the diesel engine on my Wife's Bx Break last autumn (photo) without knowing that the new engine was from a BX model equipped with an engine temp gauge.

It took me some time to realize that the dim yellow light in the dashboard engine warning light was actually due to a wrong kind of sensor - a temp gauge sensor instead of the on-off warning light sensor. Was worried that the engine might be running too hot and temporarily installed (well, taped to the windshield..

) a hand-held thermometer in order to see how warm the engine is running.

After realizing that I had a gauge-type sensor connected to an on/off type warning light, I've (or rather, the Wife has) learnt to like the system: as long as the light is dim, the engine is running at normal temperature. If it gets brighter, there is a problem that needs to be solved. More information on engine temperature than just the on/off warning light, even though there is no actual temp gauge.

This works with a diesel engine (without turbo) in the cool Finnish climate; I doubt if would be as useful with a petrol engine, though, where warmer-than-normal engine temperature is not necessarily always an indication of something being wrong.

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 12:21 am

You can get all sorts of sheet material on ebay - search for 'aluminium sheet' - also acrylic sheet as well - no probs.

I was looking for a piece of aluminium to use as the base for an Adams Motor - and I came across this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Post by **Defender110** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 12:49 am

53 kilos? kinell!

I've got loads of much smaller Ally cut off's (sheet & profiles) FOC + cost of postage.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:01 am

KevR wrote:Umm, surely that's what the existing temp warning light does: so long as the temp is stable, the light stays off, when it rises too far, the light comes on.

Seems a valid point to make and did not come across as a personal criticism IMO. I would however agree with the comments about gauges, and point out that the perceived wisdom is that the yellow light means 'you probably have cooked the HG' and the red light means 'you definitely have'! For this reason I've fitted the full set of gauges from a 16v (including oil pressure and temperature) and utilised the 'yellow light' sensor to operate the warning light.
A gauge will also highlight an engine not reaching its usual operating temperature and hence allow you to spot a thermostat which has failed open.

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:59 am

53 kilos? kinell!

It's quite a lump eh

Sure I'm looking for something substantial but I'd rather have something that a) I can get through the workshop door and b) I can lift without using the engine crane

I've got loads of much smaller Ally cut off's (sheet & profiles) FOC + cost of postage.

That's excellent Kevan - that should keep BX instrument panel makers happy

and point out that the perceived wisdom is that the yellow light means 'you probably have cooked the HG' and the red light means 'you definitely have'!

The red light can also mean a cracked head - not nice.

A gauge will also highlight an engine not reaching its usual operating temperature and hence allow you to spot a thermostat which has failed open.

Very good point Mat

KevR · Post by **KevR** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 11:34 am

johnbird wrote:it seems i may have upset you a bit chap judging by the replies to my questions you have been sharing with me.
i didnt ask if you thought it was a good idea to get a red light before the head gasket went i asked if anyone knew or had fitted a temp gauge to warn of the rise in temp so i can take remedial action before the head gasket goes.
if thats too complicated for you i can draw pictures.now get off my back.

No, You hadn't upset me.
Yes, you have now.
Rudeness is unnecessary - kindly desist.

Post by **docchevron** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:08 am

OK chaps, as has happened before, the written word has obvioulsey lost it's intended meaning and maybe things have been misconstrued on both parts.
I'm sure no-one wants a war here, so maybe a line could be drawn and we could start afresh?

KevR · Post by **KevR** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:45 pm

Suits me.

Post by **Defender110** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:04 pm

It is a forum though and if you ask for peoples views on a forum don't be suprised or upset when those views are given even if it is not a popular one. Everyone is entitled to their own oppinion and what a boring useless forum it would be if we all just patted each other on the back and didn't offer any oppinion in the fear of upsetting the poster.

_______________________________________________
/\ big thick line

Post by **docchevron** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:11 pm

/\ I agree with this entirely, however, in this one case it seems that 2 parties have maybe taken things the wrong way and bad feeling has escalated quite quickley.
If they have a disagreement, well, ya know thats life, but if it's a beef that builds up over a misunderstanding or getting the wrong end of a stick then surely best dealt with before people get upset?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:33 pm

Defender110 wrote:_______________________________________________
/\ big thick line

I'm going to have to disagree Kevan - that looks like a thin line to me...

But yes - we should all be able to express our different opinions in a respectful manner, but it is easier to misinterpret words without the benefit of body language.

KevR · Post by **KevR** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:24 pm

For whatever reason, maybe he'd had a bad day or something, the OP got the wrong end of the stick entirely and jumped down my throat. I asked him not to. As far as I'm concerned, that's it, old news, move along now, nothing to see.

Post by **Defender110** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:31 pm

KevR wrote:move along now, nothing to see.

Come on you must have something to show us with all those vehicles