Oil Pressure Gauge for 83' R65

[joshr65]

Can anyone direct me please?

Thanks!

[aussie]

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

[Bob_Roller]

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.

[Justin B.]

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

[MrRiden]

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

[joshr65]

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.

[Landlubber]

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?

[aussie]

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.

[joshr65]

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

[joshr65]

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

[Justin B.]

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...

[joshr65]

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!  

http://photobucket.com/airheadoilpressuregauge

[MrRiden]

Do you have a part # for the VDO sensor? What size thread is the adapter on the engine?
rich

[joshr65]

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.

[Justin B.]

If you could stumble through writing up the procedure, with pictures/links/part numbers, I'll compile it into the Wiki.