Retro Fit: Oil TEMP Guage

[Hombre]

Has anyone out there ever done this?

I think it may be a good idea as I live in a mountainous area and sometimes feel even after the engine has reached normal operating WATER temp (82C?), that the engine is still cold. I refer particularly to what BMW do with the M5's rev counter/oil temp indicator bars etc.....

In short, I would rather know if the engine needs a bit more casual driving before I boot it esp at this time of year/first thing in the morning.

[Loren]

Oil Temperature is a function of the Oil Temperature/Oil Level Sensor.

It is read by the DME (all models that I am aware of). So, theoretically adding an oil temperature gauge should be pretty straight forward.

MY03 shown below

[1999Porsche911]

Don't forget, the 82C that you state to be "normal" is, in fact, incorrect. The thermostat on your engine is 83C and the computer targets the coolant temp to be aropund 90C. As a matter of fact, many sensors will not report accurate faults if engine temp is below 90C. In the real world, although it can be corrected with the appropriate mods, your engine temperature is closer to 94C in best of conditions, other than highway driving. Often, your engine temperature will reach in excess of 100C.

With a properly functioning oil cooler, your oil temps are directly related to your coolant temperature. Properly manage your coolant temps and your oil temps will be fine.

[RFM]

After several test done with separate water and separate oil temp. meters for all water cooled boxer and V-8 Porsche engines under normal driving conditions and approx. 20° C outside temp., i have observed that you reach the working temp. of the coolant after approx. 5 Km and 10 Km for the oil, started with a cold engine and Revs. between 3.000 and 4.000 RPM. in spite of the water - oil exchanger. Believed or not.

[1999Porsche911]

After several test done with separate water and separate oil temp. meters for all water cooled boxer and V-8 Porsche engines under normal driving conditions and approx. 20° C outside temp., i have observed that you reach the working temp. of the coolant after approx. 5 Km and 10 Km for the oil, started with a cold engine and Revs. between 3.000 and 4.000 RPM. in spite of the water - oil exchanger. Believed or not.

I was refering to an engine that was already up to full operating temperature. Once fully warmed, the oil temperature will very closely mirror the percentage change in coolant temperature. Without a water cooled oil cooler, oil tempertures will spike much higher than the coolant during heavy engine loads.

In most cases, the 996 engine takes considerably longer than 5 km to reach its target temperature of 90C.

Edited December 3, 2007 by 1999Porsche911

[KevinMac]

I can say my engine takes more then 3 miles to come up to full operating temp, and the oil lags behind, on a cold engine warming up. I suspect it's due to the oil volume of almost 9 qts. I can see this by the operating pressues.