Q45 aftermarket oil pressure qauge?

[Q45denver]

Has anyone installed one? Is it possible to get one that works off the stock oil pressure sensor either inline or inplace of the idiot light which is worthless. Would I need to install a tee fiting or could I just tap into the existing wire?

[DAEDALUS]

Tapping in to the existing wire would be no better than the stock sender...it's just an on/off switch. You would need to tee in. You could replace the sender altogether, but then the stock oil light wouldn't work. Don't forget the thread is not "standard". One is BPT the other is NPT.

[3rd Q]

Just ready to install an Autometer electronic OP gauge with a 't' so I can still have an idiot light on the dash. I'll let you know how it goes.

Daedalus- can you give more details on the BPT/NPT stuff. What are the threads going into the block, what are the ones on the after market gauge?Asking because the gauge and the 'T" fitting appear to have the same pitch to the threads but don't seem to quite thread together that well. Trying to make sure I've got it right before the install. Thanks for your help.

Paul

[DAEDALUS]

Yeah, they sure do "appear" to have the same threads cause they're really close. 27 TPI vs. 28 TPI. Aluminum will too easily forgive the wrong choice, but it won't forget...and neither will you as you wonder where that new oil leak is coming from.

I said BPT, but I meant BSPT--British Special Pipe Thread I believe. Most vehicles use NPT (Natl Pipe Thread), so most fittings and gauges you find will have NPT. You either need to find a rare gauge, or use a 1/8 BSPT to 1/8 NPT adapter. If you don't have instructions, best to make certain with a thread pitch gauge before trying to install it. Bought a great set of gauges for a few bucks from Harbor Freight.

[3rd Q]

Daedalus,Thanks! That would explain why they don't thread together that well.You saved me from messing up the threads in the block!

Paul

[Q45denver]

Thanks Robert, So what I'll need is a 1/8 BSPT to 1/8 NPT adapter and a standard NPT tee fitting and line to a standard NPT OP gauge mounted somewhere in the dash? Wonder why they would use BSPT thread in the block when most in the car are metric.

Turns out my newly installed replacement engine only has about 5 lbs of oil pressure and the idiot light only comes on at 4 or less. Do you think there is any chance the engine is still salvageable? I have driven it at least 100 miles with low pressure. The shop says they put in Prolong and BG MOA at the initial oil change and that may have saved it. The engine runs good and has good compression but the valves are noisy when cold.

[maxnix]

Turns out my newly installed replacement engine only has about 5 lbs of oil pressure and the idiot light only comes on at 4 or less.

Was it rehabilitated or just installed as it came?

[elwesso]

Why couldnt you just retap the threads?

[911/Q45]

Clearance is real tight in that area. You couldn't retap without removing the engine and I'd be surprised if you could squeeze a T in there.

[elwesso]

Just so you konw if you have the oil pressure sender undone the oil light doesnt come on.....

[DAEDALUS]

Make sure you have enough thread depth in the block so you don't risk yielding it with all that extra mass and moment arm. If you notice an oil leak look into it ASAP--you cannot risk having the tee pop out of the block. If you can find the right tee with 2 BSPT ends and a NPT end, that would be ideal--mass drops and gets closer to the block. Have yet to find one.

5psi is bad. You can run heavier oils, but the damage is done. I assume something is too loose somewhere and it's not the pump.

Even if you could get a tap in there it wouldn't be recommended because there's too much material missing. The minor diameters are the same--try to retap for a different thread and you'll just be removing slivers and pushing metal around. Good way to strip it out. Retap only if you're going to a larger thread diameter.

[PoorManQ45]

Hmm, Are there any places where the oil is not contained within the engine itself? I mean, where it goes from within the engine through a hose to some place else, then back into the engine? If so, then you could install a pressure gauge there.

I think one of the sposors has a kit to relocate the oil filter. With that kit, you could tap into the extended lines with your gauge.

[Q45denver]

I found a VDO electronic sender that allows installation of both a meter and idiot light with warning at 11.4 PSI. I think this would be perfect.

Part no. 360-025 Pressure Sender: 0-150 PSI/10 Bar - 1/8-27 NPT - 11.4 PSI

http://egauges.com/vdo_send.as...&Cart=

[DAEDALUS]

Wish they'd show a picture of it. Why not use the 1/8 BSP?

[elwesso]

Why not just forget about the idiot light..... If you have it coming on it means bad news anyway!!

The idiot light will be off when its unplugged.

[Q45denver]

They sell the adapater also. I think the idiot light is a good idea and setting it at 11 psi could avoid most damage. Just wish it also included a warning buzzer.

Adapter Bushing - 1/8 NPT female x 1/8-28BSP male

http://egauges.com/vdo_send.as...art=1

[PoorManQ45]

Why not just forget about the idiot light..... If you have it coming on it means bad news anyway!!

The idiot light will be off when its unplugged.

Would the ECU give an error code if it isn't receiving any signal from the pressor sensor/switch

[elwesso]

Would the ECU give an error code if it isn't receiving any signal from the pressor sensor/switch

No i drove without the sensor plugged in for about 2 months on the old Q.....