I am using the Stewar Warner gauges (like the Autometer). I am putting the sensor in the water tank like the Alta setup. The instructions say that the sensor is grounded by its threads, but I am not screwing it into the engine block, but rather a plastic tank. I planned to add a ground wire at the same place as the sensor power wire on the bottom nut fitting and ground it in the engine bay. Is that going to work, or do I need to fasten a wire at the threads of the sensor and ground that?

 

Got it figured out. I wired the ground around the threaded portion. Works like a charm now.

 

Why would you want to know the temperature of the water in the make up/fill tank.?? Its a long way and a small hose away from the radiator and its cooled by the external air flow. Your reading would be greatly inaccurate.

 

It has been detailed in other threads, but that is not a simple burp tank. Coolant flows through there coming out of the block and is a good read of the temp.

 

Where did you tap the 'dimmer' wire to from the car?

 

In the same place that ALTA suggests, which is one of the wires running to the DSC button in the center console in front of the shifter.

 

Thanks!
Could you please tell me which wire that would be?

I do not have the Alta gauges and i am using Stri gauges

 

The gray with red stripe is the dimmed illumination to the DSC button. Use that.

 

Thank you.

 

Another interesting option is to ues the bleader screw as a location for the temp sender.
I run that and an OBD reader and it is interesting to watch the "flow" of temperature.

 

COR BLY,

What sensor did you use in the bleeder screw hole? And is it compatible with regular commercial gauges, like the SW?

Thanks,

Paul

 

Yup regular sensor with NPT thread ... just had to ground it.

I actuall bought another Bleeder coupler and cut the hose to install it

So now I have the gauge and the bleeder.

 

i got the m7 coupler, however, mine is R56 MCSa, the suggest hose already has 3 way(existing one)....than a 2 way which can be swapped easily.....so wherelse is better to be replaced....what about the coupler right underneath FAN behind the bumper??? would it be inaccurate?

 

Chad at Detroit Tuned had a coupler fabbed up for me that has both a bleeder valve and a bung on the bottom to thread the sensor into. Works like a charm.

 

i mean if taking the temp at that hose would be accurate or not, anyone know?

 

The suggested location is usually the upper rad hose.

 

i know, but R56s auto has a 3 way coupler, not the 2 way M7 that i just bought, therefore, want to know if the lower one is ok or not....

 

Reading the temp at the radiator ...gives you well radiator temperature .

The T stat could be shut and the engine have serious temp issues.
you gauge would tell you nothing,...

Mine is set up this way because I use a scangauge AND the gauge with the sender at the radiator

For a daily driver the info gathered at the radiator (remember you still have a dummy light) this sould be fine.

Really for more useable data a scangauge / "like item" or a sender in the block / "T"ed at the sender by the dummy sender is better

 

crazy, after a long struggle, i have decided to use the upper hose. in which i cut off the part closer to the engine, because the part where near the radiator is too short to fit a coupler in. also, as on my MCSa, the upper hose that M7 suggested has a 3 way not a 2 way on a manual.... i assumed the M7 would fit...however.....shittttttttttttt.....it is not fit on the upper hose, it is too big to fit in a 30mm(outer) hose...i have to purchase a 28mm coupler locally to fit in the upper hose......

guys, i think there is a little leak from the thermo hole, what kind of seal should i put in?

The alta gauge works great.......

M7, if you have read this, can i send it back and get refund for the coupler?

 

On a NPT (pipe thread) some sealer or teflon tape is OK ...sealer of any other type is a "band aid"

remember ...if you read temperature at the hose or radiaror ...it may NOT be an indication of what is happening in your engine !

 

Seriously, go to www.scangauge.com and you will get your water temp and a whole lot more..... It will give you the water temp right from the ECU. Mine runs at about 220F-224F.

 

ScanGauge is a super idea, simplest install ever:


Shown above listing MPH (unlike speedometer, it is accurate), Buss Voltage, Ignition Advance timing and Coolant Temperature.

Push any of the white buttons and cycle that display through twelve standard parameter displays, or about a dozen more "Custom" items.

 

I have mine installed in exactly the same spot!!! It does work great. You can even program it to display horse power.

 

This is a stupid thought probably, but I sure wish the scan gauge was round instead of rectangular to match the other gauges a bit better.

 

I agree that the scangauge is kind of ugly and difficult to mount. I went with the PLX DM-200 gauge and the Alta pod. (sorry I don't have a picture of my setup yet, search this forum for PLX and you find a couple of pictures). Looks completely stock! And running the wire up to the display was very easy around the steering column.