19 replies to this topic

[minisilverbullet]

Which is preferred?

 

Both as accurate as each other? 

 

The electric is around half the price (Smiths) 

[Rapidmini59]

Im running a tim oil temp gauge.
Electronic version.

Seems to be acurate enough.

If you use a mechanical gauge you have the chance of oil leaking behind the gauge if your not carefull when you install it.
At least with an electronic version there is no oil to leak behind the gauge
But you could still have an oil leak where the sender goes into the block, use ptfe tape that will reduce the chance of that happening

Now as im running oil pressure gauge as well,i have a t piece screwed into the block then original sender into thet.
I cant use oil temp sender in t piece so ive had to buy a sandwich plate for my oil filter housing to take the oil temp sender.

Edited by Rapidmini59, 25 May 2017 - 07:11 PM.

[nicklouse]

i always like mechanical no Voltage variances effect.

[wile e coyote]

Capilliary (mechanical) is generally more accurate but both do the job... as an optional nice to have I'd go electrical...

[maccers]

I've always run smiths mechanical gauges with no leaking and 100% reliability

[russo]

Mechanical are probably more accurate and reliable. I guess electric are really only a guide. If you have one fitted it may pay to compare it with a thermometer to compare and check its accuracy.

[Spider]

As the other guys have said, the Capillary Gauge is more accurate and considered (though debatable) more reliable, however, apart from being dearer to buy, are not a easy to install, especially in a panel that has many gauges or other accessories in it.

 

For many years I would only fit capillary gauges, but more recently turn to electric for ease of installation. Now I'm used to it, I doubt I'd go back. I find it just as good for letting me know if all is well or not as the mechanical gauge.

[greenmini1275]

I've got mechanical, the less electrics the better for me.

[maccers]

The mechanical ones can be a bit of a pain, I have the single oil pressure / water temp Smiths and it can get a bit busy behind the dash.

[minisilverbullet]

Great comments  - much appreciated. 

 

I think I will go for the electric one, using the between the block and filter housing sandwich adapter somerford minis sell.  I will need to double check but I think that will allow me clearance to use a Mocal sandwich plate (with stat) between the filter and the filter housing so i can fit an oil cooler into it. And use a short filter. 

 

This seems like a neat install, I think. 

[Ethel]

I think a mechanical oil pressure gauge is more worthwhile and more responsive so you should already be plumbing oil in to the back of your dash is your considering an oil temperature gauge, admittedly you'd need an extra oil line.

 

You could also ask why you'd want to know your oil temperature. Oils are less temperature sensitive than they used to be. It's the effect on the oil's function we're interested and you'll have installed the pressure gauge to measure that more directly. Oil temperature is related to coolant temperature. The exception being if you had a sudden increase in friction - it's doubtful the temperature of the sump would react to that quick enough. I suppose it might be a means of monitoring the transmission. 

[Midas Mk1]

Im very interested to see if you manage to squeeze the sandwich stat and filter in place.

Doing l2b last week ive done 600 miles of motorway driving, and my oil pressure dropped 20psi when hot, which is making me think a cooler could be needed. I have two oil coolers ready, just want a stat so that it doesnt have any adverse effects.

[mina08]

Mechanical oil pressure gauge and an electric oil temp gauge

[minisilverbullet]

Im very interested to see if you manage to squeeze the sandwich stat and filter in place.

Doing l2b last week ive done 600 miles of motorway driving, and my oil pressure dropped 20psi when hot, which is making me think a cooler could be needed. I have two oil coolers ready, just want a stat so that it doesnt have any adverse effects.

This thread suggests it os possible : http://www.theminifo...ler-thermostat/

[minisilverbullet]

Already have a mechanical oil pressure gauge fitted.