The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: joshr65 on March 25, 2009, 10:40:23 PM

Title: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on March 25, 2009, 10:40:23 PM
Can anyone direct me please?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: aussie on March 26, 2009, 03:24:50 AM
Yes - take the next left at Albuquerque...Seriously though, welcome aboard Josh.

Ummm - what are you looking for - one that replaces  the dipstick or are you looking for an oil pressure sensor?

There are plenty of both on eBay - not sure how good the dipstick vareity are - would be interested in any feedback....


Cheers

Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: Bob_Roller on March 26, 2009, 08:07:57 AM
I was considering installing an oil pressure indicator, the problem that I came across, was to try and find an indicator that was water proof.

It is not a real difficult system to build, you need a 12 volt 'switched' power source, a ground wire, pressure transmitter, and an indicator.

I wanted to retain the low oil pressure light as well, and I ran into more problems there as well, tried to find a 'tee' fitting that would thread into the engine case where the low oil pressure switch is located, and have to other threaded holes for the transmitter, and the pressure switch.

I lost my enthusiasm for the project after that.
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: Justin B. on March 26, 2009, 11:28:29 AM
The simplest thing would be to plumb in a mechanical oil pressure gauge.  If you removed the oil pressure switch and installed a "Tee" you could then screw the switch into one end and the gauge's 1/8" copper line into the other.  Another trick will be to use a high enough pressure gauge as I think these things develop over 100 psi when cold.  I would think that a marine application gauge would do the trick as far as being water resistant.

Here is a representative "kit" from Summit although it does not claim to be waterproof...

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=ATM%2D4323&N=700+115&autoview=sku
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: MrRiden on March 26, 2009, 06:59:20 PM
Bill, who was with us not so long ago, had a photo of his T solution on an R80 I believe http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1200864243/11#11

Also rediscovered Bill's photos http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y22/r65/ :-/
rich
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on March 26, 2009, 10:46:56 PM
Thanks for all the info! I guess a dipstick gauge would be easiest but I don't see any on e-bay or anywhere else. I remember seeing one a few months back somewhere in Europe for around $65 or so. I am just paranoid about the $2000 oil change! ( also love gadgets) I suppose an actual sensor would be most accurate.
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: Landlubber on March 27, 2009, 12:20:08 AM
Can somebody please explain to this "dipstick", how the hell do you get oil pressure recording on a dip stick....certain you are referring to oil temp?
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: aussie on March 27, 2009, 12:53:14 AM
Sorry - my mistake. This dipstick was finishing up some work and it was about 3 in the morning when I looked at this.

The dipstick doesn't do pressure - it does temp.

Apologies for the misleading info.
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on March 27, 2009, 08:58:10 AM
Ha, ha. I figured that, but thought there was some "magic" something out there. I am researching the VDO t fitting and gauges. Will post pics and info when I am done.

Thx again,

Josh
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on April 10, 2009, 09:47:29 AM
Dumb question. Got all the parts to install pressure gauge. Is there oil up by the current pressure sender I need to remove? So, do I need to drain oil first?

Pics to follow!

Thx
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: Justin B. on April 10, 2009, 10:05:55 AM
A little will dribble out but the port is above the oil level.  If you have a way you could lay the bike over to the right then you probably wouldn't even get a dribble.  Looking forward to pics and an evaluation as I have contemplated this for years...
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on April 18, 2009, 11:39:11 PM
Trials and tribulations of what should be a simple project and never is.
After a couple of combination's of parts and configurations (and leaks) this is what I came up with. I did do the unthinkable and cut a hole in my dash to install the gauge. The rubber keeps it tight and no vibrations. Still have to figure a nice way to finish it. Seems to be 100 PSI on start and then settles down to about 50-55 at idle after 25 minutes of riding. At 3500 rpm the gauge reads about 80PSI. 4500-4800 RPM it hits about 90.
This VDO sensor has a connection for the idiot light also. It will engage at 7PSI. The original oil pressure switch wire hooks directly to it. So you get the pressure reading and the idiot light in one package.
Pretty nice, probably unnecessary but I love the gauges!  :D

http://photobucket.com/airheadoilpressuregauge
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: MrRiden on April 19, 2009, 10:29:15 AM
Do you have a part # for the VDO sensor? What size thread is the adapter on the engine?
rich
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on April 19, 2009, 10:44:47 AM
On jegs.com
part # 555-41057
          918-350041
          918-360023

amazon.com
Sunpro CP7573 Metric Adaptor Kit

I had ordered other adapters from Jegs which did not fit. I went to 4 or 5 auto parts stores with original BMW sender and they could not match the threads. My original sender was a little stripped when I took out. So I think one of the adapters from the sunpro kit either would have fit in perfectly or was a little large. Since my threads were kind of messed up it went in a little tight. But it is not leaking and allowed the American threads to fit in to female end. I would have preferred a more graduated gauge  ut I can always swap out. More than knowing exact pressure, I think it will be good to see where my engine normally is and be able to see deviations quickly.

Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: Justin B. on April 19, 2009, 11:04:20 AM
If you could stumble through writing up the procedure, with pictures/links/part numbers, I'll compile it into the Wiki.
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: Bob_Roller on April 20, 2009, 02:56:44 PM
That's a pretty slick modification !!

One question, the oil pressure indicator that you have installed, is it graduated up to 150 psi ?

The one in the picture goes to 80 psi, the part number that you used, has no picture in the Jegs catalog.

For around $100US, that's not an expensive modification, and I too like all of the indicators I can install !!!
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: MrRiden on April 20, 2009, 06:33:19 PM
Bob,
I'm thinkin' of doing a pressure gauge, just haven't come up with a clean install for the gauge itself. Our local shop could fab up any length hose for poco denero. The Jegs price for hose is a bit high. Still tryin' to pick a gauge out.
rich
http://www.parkerstorephx.com/index3.html
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on April 20, 2009, 10:03:56 PM
If you look at my pic it goes to 150psi. I think the JEGS description says 150 PSI electrical. I like how the idiot light is incorporated into the sensor also. One less place for leaks.
 I threw the old sensor in my tool kit in case of on the road issues. I can just stick it back in. I think you can find the the braided hose cheaper but I did like all the the adapters it came with.

Still want an oil temp dipstick which shows what a dipstick I am. ;D
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on April 20, 2009, 10:06:21 PM
Also will say while it was hard to cut into my dash the gauge fits there perfectly and holds in place by itself. No vibration. Will figure out some way to cover cut area in rubber nicely.
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: Bob_Roller on April 20, 2009, 10:15:18 PM
Quote
If you look at my pic it goes to 150psi. I think the JEGS description says 150 PSI electrical. I like how the idiot light is incorporated into the sensor also. One less place for leaks.
 I threw the old sensor in my tool kit in case of on the road issues. I can just stick it back in. I think you can find the the braided hose cheaper but I did like all the the adapters it came with.

Still want an oil temp dipstick which shows what a dipstick I am. ;D

I've got a Luftmeister temperature indicating dipstick, and the readings I got before adding the oil cooler were quite high.

I don't know how accurate the indication is, as I suspect that the dipstick is not sitting in oil, just getting a 'splash' of oil inside the engine.

I checked the accuracy of the dipstick itself, and found it to be within 5 F. on all of the graduated markings on the indicator face.

I saw an indicating system, that had a temperature probe in place of the engine oil drain plug, it was interesting but didn't get me enthused enough to check it out in depth.
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: Justin B. on April 21, 2009, 12:56:14 AM
The old Volvo 240s had an optional oil temp gauge that replaced the drain plug with a temp senso, I have one out in the shop somewhere.  Nah, that would be too easy!
Title: Re: Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65
Post by: joshr65 on April 27, 2009, 10:23:10 PM
So project is done. No leaks. Gauge mounted firmly in dash rubber. Last ride. 100 or so PSI at startup. Around 85-90 at 3500-4000rpm up to 55mph. Idle was hanging around 50PSI after a good warm up ride.

No vibrations at all firmly planted in the dash rubber.

All in all a fun project. Will be nice to have a "norm" to look at and quickly tell any deviations from the norm.

Still hunting down the fun but unnecessary oil temp dipstick gauge.  ;D