Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello,

I would like to fit an oil temp sensor and was wondering if I could use the port on the exhaust side, I marked in the picture. Or do I have to mount a sandwich adapter?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Cheers,

Max

A temperature sensor in this position will give you mainly the block temperature.

As the block is water cooled, it may not represent the actual oil temperature.

I brazed a threaded nipple to the sump.

When I went to dry sump, I fitted the temp sensor to the oil tank.

There are also sump plugs that are drilled and threaded to accept an oil temperature sensor. No additional port needed. That's what I have.

Sensor connected to a gauge in the glove compartment as I didn't want to impact the stock look of my dash or interior by having it hang down underneath.

It's a "smart" gauge that is connected to a warning light on my dash which is a hidden tri-color LED inside a dash bolt (Blue: cold / Green: warm / Red: Hot). With varying intensity. Green for normal running is at a low intensity level to not be annoying while driving.



Only negative is that the location of the temp sender seems to be a bit vulnerable to be banged by being at a low point on the car. But, no problems so far.

1owner69Elan wrote:There are also sump plugs that are drilled and threaded to accept an oil temperature sensor. No additional port needed.

I made one and fitted a contemporary capillary gauge through it. It worked fine for 35 years but when I moved it to a thread fitting brazed into the sump opposite the drain plug it read higher, even after I wrapped insulation around it as a shield from the exhausts. I assumed it was due to deeper penetration.

I agree with Foxie concerning your original proposal.

1owner69Elan wrote:There are also sump plugs that are drilled and threaded to accept an oil temperature sensor. No additional port needed. That's what I have.

Great idea, and a new one on me !

Very much in line with that great Chapman philosophy " Every component should have least three functions"

super and efficient, very interesting! would like to know the references and supplier (address) of this installation integrated into the dashboard screw

geni wrote:super and efficient, very interesting! would like to know the references and supplier (address) of this installation integrated into the dashboard screw

The "smart" oll temperature gauge is from Autometer:

https://www.autometer.com/2-1-16-oil-te ... elite.html

Using standard features I programmed three ranges of oil temperature. Depending on oil temperature the gauge then sends signals to the tri-color LED in the dash through some logic circuitry, adapted from the included instructions, using relays to switch between the LED colors.

More info here in previous post:

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=39988&p=279711&hilit=+dash+screw#p279711