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where to install oil pressure gauge?

Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 5:52 pm
by race_to_live
I want to put an oil pressure gauge(mechanical) on the car before I start it up for the first time. So while I was at the parts store getting oil I picked up a gauge. So where do I tap in on the engine? Do I actuall have to tap a hole?

Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:29 pm
by 93forestpearl
Take it from the plug in the back of the main oil galley. There is plenty of room to tap a 1/8 NPT hole.


Also, if using a mechanical gauge, throw away any nylon or copper tubing that came with it, and go get a proper -3 braided line for it. I made the mistake of not doing that right away and ended up with a lubricated dash.

Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 8:28 pm
by race_to_live
you are talking about the one on the #2,4 side. right next to the rear breather tube thing?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 7:17 am
by 93forestpearl
On the passenger side, in the back.

I take my oil pressure from my turbo feed, so I'll be installing my oil temp probe there.

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 4:25 pm
by fishbone79
+1 on the correct braided line... The copper will last a long while (5 years for me), but if it gets disturbed it will play oil fire hose all over the inside of your dash.

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:16 pm
by kimokalihi
fishbone79 wrote: but if it gets disturbed it will play oil fire hose all over the inside of your dash.
LOL! :-D Picturing a small oil "fire hose" in your dash makes me laugh.

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 11:41 pm
by AWD_addict
Or you could get an electronic gauge so you don't risk shooting hot oil around the inside of your dash. :)

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:03 am
by race_to_live
what about on the oil pump its self? can i put one there, on one of the plugs on the bottom of it?

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:07 am
by SILINC3R
can you use a oil pressure gauge to tell you if your low.

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:26 am
by 93forestpearl
I spent about $40 at anplumbing.com to make a braided line work. Obviously an electric gauge is more ideal, but at the time the electric Autometer Cobalt gauges were running about $200 a piece. They've come down in price since.



Mine made a decent mess when it leaked. It didn't spray oil everywhere, but it seeped oil from the pinched nylon line. With my gauge pod on the dash, the foam between the vinyl and the plastic soaked up oil and continued to weep oil for the next year and a half. Also, my CD player stopped playing CD's when it got oil on it.



I learned the lesson the hard way, although it could have been worse. I do not wish that upon anyone else. I won't touch that crappy nylon line ever again, even for a boost gauge. That crap kinks if you merely look at it funny.

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:31 pm
by Legacy777
Just curious, has anyone seen a combination electronic oil pressure & temp sensor? Idealy, it would be nice to have that information to send back to the Link.