SPF Oil Temp Gauge Replacement.

Blas · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 11:08 AM

All part of the joys of ownership...These little projects allow you to become more familiar with the car, build confidence, and in my opinion, enhance the ownership experiance...There is another opening thru the firewall way to the right near the side. another good place to run the tube, farther away from the plugs and the headers. get a flashlight out and look directly out from the other opening...

jhv48 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 11:33 AM

I saw that hole in the firewall and it only has a single small wire going through it. But that means routing the temp cable/tube by all kinds of electrical connections behind the dash before exiting the firewall. Doesn't that maximize the chance of a spark arching to the new tube and my having to do this all over again?

Blas · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 11:37 AM

The sparkplugs are you biggest worry, and the heat from the headers. Static too. Put a small piece of plastic tubing (cut lengthwise) as a sleeve where it sits on the wires to prevent friction of the tube windings on wiring. (NOT NEAR HEAT)... PM me with an email address and I'll send you a photo...

jwoodard · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 12:11 PM

I recently replaced my water temp gauge and I think you are over concerned about this replacement. Take your time, pull your steering wheel off, remove the speedometer to gain access to the oil temp gauge. Then you will be able to see behind the dash where the gauge tube is routed. Also, remove the grommet in the opening in the firewall first, it is split so will come off while the wires and tubes are still in place. Pull your speedo cable out, remove the oil gauge tube from the fitting on the remote oil filter housing and start working the tube out towards the firewall. Then remove the two retainer nuts that hold the gauge in place and work the gauge and tube out through the dash. It really isn't that difficult, just don't get in a hurry. Reverse the procedure to install the new gauge.
When you get the new gauge, before attempting to install it, I suggest you test it to make sure it works. Boil some water and insert the bulb sensor into the water and make sure the gauge registers temperature increase to somewhere close to 100 C. Ask me how I know about this?

Blas · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 01:03 PM

Geepers Jim..."How do you know about this?" hahahaha
Been there, done that.....

jhv48 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 10:15 AM

"Piece of cake " my butt!

First of all, with the speedo cable removed from the firewall hole, I was still unable to pull the temp sending unit nut through the hole as the plastic heater vent is right behind the hole in the dash and you can't get a straight shot at working the nut through. Had to pull out the Dremel and make the hole larger. Now I can pull it through. Oh, and by the way, the installer routed the original line over the intake manifold, and around the alternator on its way to the remote oil filter location. As I am working it out from around the alternator, I touched a hot lead and quite a nice spark shot out. Later, as I am pulling the coil through the firewall hole, the end unit breaks off at the point where the wire touched the hot lead to the alternator. Removal was easy after the end broke off.

So, now I can't send the non working unit back to Nisonger for warranty credit. It's in two pieces!

Installed the new one through the bigger firewall hole and re routed it along the driver's side to the remote oil filter, thus avoiding all engine vibration and heat. Lubed the speedo cable while I was at it to see if I could kill that needle hop.

If it happens again, I'm all set!

Blas · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Ya just can't have enough fun with these cars can you...
You even got a lesson about electricity for free...