HawkeyeGeoff

So I installed my oil temp gauge with the sensor being at the pan (in the drain plug).

My car has an oil baffle pan already installed.

I have found so far (been driving in 40-50 degrees F) that because of the location it really will not show my real overall oil temp because of convective cooling at that location. I didn't think this would be a thing, but at full warm I see 140-160 degrees on the interstate (70-80 mph) and around town (40-60 mph). When I come to a stop I see about 180-185F after I let it soak for a bit. As soon as I start driving again the temps shoot down.

Around town this is no big deal for me as I installed this for the track; do you think I will be able to get accurate measurements at the track or will this continue to happen (I.E. should I relocate to a filter housing measurement)? Anyone have any experience with the same thing happening?

I am not sure if this is happening because the oil pan is shedding so much heat or more because of the oil pan baffle isolating that part of the pan. Any thoughts?

rrounds

Even with a baffled pan when you drain the oil it should come out just as fast as a non-baffled pan. If this is the case then I'd say its getting oil to it when running, why its not reading right could be where it is located. Cruising at 4k rpm your oil temp should be well above 140*-160*

ROD

Charper732

kinda odd. My sensor is near the bottom of the pan I do not have varying temps. As long as the sensor is in the oil bath it should be reading the correct temp. It wont be hotter in one spot than in another.

flanders

Does the sensor reach through the drain bolt? Sounds like the sensor is getting cooled off from the outside air.

HawkeyeGeoff

yeah maybe that's it. I could try screwing it in farther. I'll give that a shot before anything else.

flanders

Otherwise you might need a longer sensor.
If you do try to screw it in further be careful so it wont snap, I've done that myself when I used a brass adapter.
Got my temp sensor mounted on the other side of the pan next to the AC pump now and temps seem stable and true.

HawkeyeGeoff

Yeah it is a NPT fitting after all, so I really dont want to smash it too hard in there as it is tapered. The other solution is to just get a sandwhich plate and relocate.

s2000ellier

put the temp sensor next to a 600 degree manifold? do you measure your air temp in the cylinder head too. oil temp in the pan is where you should be measuring it.

like flanders said perhaps get a longer sensor, they make them with "break" tips that start out longer and you can remove until the desired length is achieved.