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Temperature gauge on 350J models

Mow-the-cat

Mow-the-cat

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Wales
Has anyone fitted a temperature gauge to one of the 350J models & if so what sort of temperature readings are you getting?
 
Temperature of what?
I'm assuming engine rather than ambient air. Oil or spark plugs sensor?
Dip stick gauges are a bit of a toy unless they reach down into the sump, even then not the best.
 
Mow-the-cat said:
Sorry, I meant one of those oil temperature things that goes in the oil filler hole.
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On the J350 the clutch is in the way of a straight path to the sump so at best it gives a indication of the oil mist temperature in the cases.
That's OK for a rough reference but no real indication of actual oil temperature, that requires a sensor submerged in oil, a sump sensor for example.
 
Having started my 350J without replacing the oil filler plug, I can testify that an oil filler plug temp gauge will have its bottom very well bathed by oil thrown off the clutch pack. Given good quality gauge design and construction, it ought to work.
My '22 classic has an oil temp sensor, turns on the check engine light. Being lazy, I let it keep track for me.
 
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DaddyJack said:
Having started my 350J without replacing the oil filler plug, I can testify that an oil filler plug temp gauge will have its bottom very well bathed by oil thrown off the clutch pack. Given good quality gauge design and construction, it ought to work.
My '22 classic has an oil temp sensor, turns on the check engine light. Being lazy, I let it keep track for me.
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I did that on my T100 once. Wow, that was exciting! Hard to imagine how far that oil gets thrown.
 
DaddyJack said:
Having started my 350J without replacing the oil filler plug, I can testify that an oil filler plug temp gauge will have its bottom very well bathed by oil thrown off the clutch pack. Given good quality gauge design and construction, it ought to work.
Click to expand...

It will work, but work at what?
It'll give you the oil mist temperature in the engine cases, that's massively different from the real oil temp.


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I have no evidence. The real oil temp would be in the head, at least that's where the factory picked put the sensor. Oil heats up in one place and cools off in another, so it's different everywhere. I think we're just picking "a" place, establishing a baseline there, and monitoring for changes. We could tap into the oil temp sensor wiring, I suspect that would get expensive, so the engine case gauge is just a do-able plan B. Me personally, I never worried about oil temps, a lot of bikes for a lot of years got by without oil temp sensors...
 
I've had a dipstick temp gauge on an old BMW R80 for nearly 20 years, it reaches right down into the sump & gives a vague idea of oil temp, it's entertaining but not a great deal of use and not easy to read while riding (especially with my eyes...).
There's a few mentions on forums of the dipstick gauges on Enfield's that show a low temp (because they aren't in oil), someone talking about 60~80°c fully hot on the other forum IIRC, which in oil terms is cold (I can find the posts, but would prefer not to...).

I've fitted sensors to sumps on VW aircooled motors many times, 12v sensors & dash gauges that have been relatively accurate, also used 12v dip stick sensors that seemed to work pretty well too.
Of course with any gauge they're of no use unless you know the "cold" & especially "hot" temp limits.......

A dip stick sensors/ gauge not submerged in oil is as good as useless in my opinion, but the best way is to get one & form your own opinion, just understand the temp in the cranckcase above the clutch isn't going to tell you much.

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DaddyJack said:
How did you fit a sensor to the VW sump? Dad had a '62 beetle, I remember him worrying about the engine temp back then.
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It was the T2 buses that really needed watching, Bugs not so much.
Aftermarket sump plate threaded for a sensor (or home modified steel one).

Sorry folks, Off topic...

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