Question: Oil Temp Gauge
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Nashua,NH
Where did you get yours ?
I have seen them on Sale at Sears from time to time.
Rob ....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
I have a digital dipstick and from following the oil related threads on this forum I've noticed that those with oil temp gauges with the sensor mounted in the oil pan always seem to report oil temps lower than what I normally read on my dipstick. I've had readouts as high as 265 when in traffic on 90 degree days.
I am now apt to agree with Rob's post deducing that the oil pan contains the coolest oil. I realize the dipstick is also in the pan but not reading from the same location most are using for the oil temp sensor.
You see, I have been debating, for some time now, wether to get a oil temp gauge or to continue using the digital dipstick.
Maybe there is a reason why Harley suggests to install the sensor at the oil filter?
It is much easier and more convenient to install the sensor in the pan.
your thoughts.......
I am now apt to agree with Rob's post deducing that the oil pan contains the coolest oil. I realize the dipstick is also in the pan but not reading from the same location most are using for the oil temp sensor.
You see, I have been debating, for some time now, wether to get a oil temp gauge or to continue using the digital dipstick.
Maybe there is a reason why Harley suggests to install the sensor at the oil filter?
It is much easier and more convenient to install the sensor in the pan.
your thoughts.......
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
Yeah, I carry my infra-red thermometer occasionally too. Got mine at Sears, works great. I also have gone to Dakota Digital gauges and they give you an oil temp sending unit that goes into the oil pan. Much better temp readings from there
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 2
From: USA
Spike !
Thanks so much for your reply !
It only goes to show how VALUABLE these forums are.
After what you replied I went and looked at our bikes just to see how the
oil hoses are routed. Wouldn't you know it I already HAVE the friggin part
mounted on our bikes that my shop sold me (i'll just return it).
OK granted the parts guy did not know that their service guys mounted
my HD Oil Cooler and THAT PART is included in it. It also makes sence
what you said about getting temp AFTER going thru oil cooler.
THANKS MUCHO ! ! ! ! !
Now on a 2nd note .....
After doing that I broke out my Service Manual (yes finally got off my ****
and bought one of those just recently) I read about oil routing and here is
what I came up with (in very simple terms).
Oil from pan goes into passageway to cam support plate where oil pump is.
Oil then heads to oil filter but if using HD oil cooler it goes there first.
Oil from filter is then routed to top and bottom ends of the engine.
Oil does it's "THING" lubricating and cooling the engine parts.
All oil ends up back at the cam support plate at the oil pump.
Oil is then pumped back into the oil pan.
Oil enters pan at fromt of transmission housing in front of oil pan baffle.
The baffle plates SLOW the circulation of the oil to ENHANCE cooling.
Oil pickup occurs in the front compartment of the pan.
This is where EVERYONE is mounting the pan Sensor.
So that also is ALMOST the coolest oil temp and NOT the the HOTEST oil temp.
The coolest would be AFTER the oil Filter. TRUE ?
So the BEST spot for the oil temp Sensor would be the supply line
from the pump back "TO" the oil pan. Right ?
I opened the oil temp Sensor box and looked at the directions and it
looks like that they have you splice INTO that return hose (from pump to pan)
and mount the sensor there. Wouldn't "THAT" be the the place to get
the temp from ?
Or even splice into the tubing BEFORE it enters the oil cooler ?
Incase I do decide on mounting sensor in the pan like you said could you
please inform me all the parts I need to do the oil pan sensor ?
Spike ,
THANKS GREATLY about making me DIG into this more than I would have !
Rob ......
Thanks so much for your reply !
It only goes to show how VALUABLE these forums are.
After what you replied I went and looked at our bikes just to see how the
oil hoses are routed. Wouldn't you know it I already HAVE the friggin part
mounted on our bikes that my shop sold me (i'll just return it).
OK granted the parts guy did not know that their service guys mounted
my HD Oil Cooler and THAT PART is included in it. It also makes sence
what you said about getting temp AFTER going thru oil cooler.
THANKS MUCHO ! ! ! ! !
Now on a 2nd note .....
After doing that I broke out my Service Manual (yes finally got off my ****
and bought one of those just recently) I read about oil routing and here is
what I came up with (in very simple terms).
Oil from pan goes into passageway to cam support plate where oil pump is.
Oil then heads to oil filter but if using HD oil cooler it goes there first.
Oil from filter is then routed to top and bottom ends of the engine.
Oil does it's "THING" lubricating and cooling the engine parts.
All oil ends up back at the cam support plate at the oil pump.
Oil is then pumped back into the oil pan.
Oil enters pan at fromt of transmission housing in front of oil pan baffle.
The baffle plates SLOW the circulation of the oil to ENHANCE cooling.
Oil pickup occurs in the front compartment of the pan.
This is where EVERYONE is mounting the pan Sensor.
So that also is ALMOST the coolest oil temp and NOT the the HOTEST oil temp.
The coolest would be AFTER the oil Filter. TRUE ?
So the BEST spot for the oil temp Sensor would be the supply line
from the pump back "TO" the oil pan. Right ?
I opened the oil temp Sensor box and looked at the directions and it
looks like that they have you splice INTO that return hose (from pump to pan)
and mount the sensor there. Wouldn't "THAT" be the the place to get
the temp from ?
Or even splice into the tubing BEFORE it enters the oil cooler ?
Incase I do decide on mounting sensor in the pan like you said could you
please inform me all the parts I need to do the oil pan sensor ?
Spike ,
THANKS GREATLY about making me DIG into this more than I would have !
Rob ......
Most idealy the sender location should go into the path of oil from the scavenge point of the crank case.
How ever, if you hit the tubing before the cooler, I'd think your getting just what you pulled out of the pan! You would want it from the cam support plate before going back to the pan! I don't see how you could get the sender in that location with out changing things a bit.
This is an issue about oil temp sender location as well as overall engine oil temps under the pistons being splashed. These are just hot running engines and to get the maximum life span IMO it could be ran cooler.
I've got my sender mounted in the pan and routinely see 235* in traffic tie ups. Sure its a cold to speak of location, but it does give me some idea as what is going on engine temp wise when the temps do go up.
Where ever your oil temp is being measured from you can be assured that its way cooler at that point, than whats going on in the engine to get the oil to that temp!
Another reason to use a true synthetic oil over dino brands, or H-D's Syn3.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 2
From: USA
Funny you mention that, I've wondered the same for a couple years now.. It seems that CHT gauges have gone out of style for some reason?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 45
From: Michigan
Ive got the gauge with the sender mounted in the pan. Its never been over 200 degrees that i know of even on a 100 degree day . i use it for a reference. I gotta believe that a gauge with a real sending unit has to be a lot more accurate than a fancy dip $hit jim dealy.. I figured the dip $hit stuff was just a yuppie bling thing. It takes absolutely no skills to install the dip stick whereas the gauge takes maybe a 12 year old,s mechanical skills and of course some wrenches and a brass bushing if your gonna put it in the pan.
Dave
Dave
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
I opened the oil temp Sensor box and looked at the directions and it
looks like that they have you splice INTO that return hose (from pump to pan)
and mount the sensor there. Wouldn't "THAT" be the the place to get
the temp from ?
Or even splice into the tubing BEFORE it enters the oil cooler ?
looks like that they have you splice INTO that return hose (from pump to pan)
and mount the sensor there. Wouldn't "THAT" be the the place to get
the temp from ?
Or even splice into the tubing BEFORE it enters the oil cooler ?
The fitting was mounted on the oil lines behind the cover in front of the tranny.