Oil temperature sensor?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
Oil temperature sensor?
It looks like i have a bad oil temperature sensor on my 84.
My temp gauge is maxed at over 300f.
I'm also planning on replacing the plug as i know insulation is also crap, last year i made a quick repair using some shrink tubing, so it's time to repair it correctly...
Current sensor is right above my oil filter, and it has a single flat spade connector.
Question is, is there a better/newer type i can use?
(The factory replacement is about $100...)
My temp gauge is maxed at over 300f.
I'm also planning on replacing the plug as i know insulation is also crap, last year i made a quick repair using some shrink tubing, so it's time to repair it correctly...
Current sensor is right above my oil filter, and it has a single flat spade connector.
Question is, is there a better/newer type i can use?
(The factory replacement is about $100...)
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
http://www.partsgeek.com/bp4wq9q-che...Fca3wAodzXMCSg
One that is a bit cheaper.
No, there is really not a big difference in the sensors. Just get a factory one and be done with it.
One that is a bit cheaper.
No, there is really not a big difference in the sensors. Just get a factory one and be done with it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
Thanks, and the sensor is puking oil all over the place, I'm pretty sure it's dead.
I'll order one for good measure, then confirm the sensor is dead before installing the new one.
I'm also curious where the oil is getting through...
I'll order one for good measure, then confirm the sensor is dead before installing the new one.
I'm also curious where the oil is getting through...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
I replaced the sensor over the weekend, and discovered my heater bypass valve had a serious leak, so that got replaced a few minutes ago...
Warmed the car up and confirmed the oil temperature gauge works great!
I ended up getting one from autozone, they had the best price.
Warmed the car up and confirmed the oil temperature gauge works great!
I ended up getting one from autozone, they had the best price.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
Rock auto had one listed for 65 bucks, that's the cheapest i found, most are 100 bucks.
I will test mine per the fsm when i have some time off, more than likely it's got to be replaced.
Since replacing the water pump the oil temp still gets up to 250 degrees which i don't think is normal. Coolant shows no more than 198 tops !
So my oil temp reads between 40 and 55 degrees above coolant temp. It never went this high UNLESS the coolant was just as hot due to the fan not coming on.
I will test mine per the fsm when i have some time off, more than likely it's got to be replaced.
Since replacing the water pump the oil temp still gets up to 250 degrees which i don't think is normal. Coolant shows no more than 198 tops !
So my oil temp reads between 40 and 55 degrees above coolant temp. It never went this high UNLESS the coolant was just as hot due to the fan not coming on.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
Yesterday for my short little drive, the oil temp never went past 200, in the past the gauge would only start reading after 200.
And autozone was less than $60!
I also looked at different brands, i found that autozones sensor was made by the better of the two brands i found, one being silver in color and the echlin part being brass.
Autozone showed their internal ref started with ech-.
part of my reasoning that it was the best deal, the silver brand i had not heard of...
And autozone was less than $60!
I also looked at different brands, i found that autozones sensor was made by the better of the two brands i found, one being silver in color and the echlin part being brass.
Autozone showed their internal ref started with ech-.
part of my reasoning that it was the best deal, the silver brand i had not heard of...
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 148
Likes: 16
From: Verona KY
I just replaced the sensor on my L98-equipped '86.
My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?
Jonathan.....
BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?
Jonathan.....
BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
I just replaced the sensor on my L98-equipped '86.
My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?
Jonathan.....
BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?
Jonathan.....
BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
my 84 with aluminum heads still runs pretty warm.
on a hot day and engine temps around 190, my oil can still hit 250f if I'm driving hard and holding over 3k RPM.
I confirmed it's well with in the safe range for my oil. (VR1)
I may add an oil cooler down the road...
Also my oil temp will hold right around 210-220f with engine temps down at 180f, if I'm just cruising at low rpm.
on a hot day and engine temps around 190, my oil can still hit 250f if I'm driving hard and holding over 3k RPM.
I confirmed it's well with in the safe range for my oil. (VR1)
I may add an oil cooler down the road...
Also my oil temp will hold right around 210-220f with engine temps down at 180f, if I'm just cruising at low rpm.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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I just replaced the sensor on my L98-equipped '86.
My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?
BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?
BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
Synthetic wouldn't make the difference in the oil temps, but it is better for the engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 66
From: Fitzwilliam New Hampshire
My 94 coupe runs at 186-190 coolant, hiway ,204-210 oil hiway, traffic at -25 mph coolant 205-216, oil 215-218 cools back down after a mile or so at 48 mph+. 60 degrees higher seems like alot, my oil temp drops slowly when coolant drops after getting hot (212 coolant).
Last edited by A Peter C4; Jun 7, 2017 at 10:29 PM.