Sorry if this has been answered, but I have searched the forums and I have not found information on adding an aftermarket temperature gauge. If there is a thread out there that I missed, please point me in the right direction.

main reason I want to add a temperature gauge is because I want to see actual measurements not rely on the idiot light. My 02 R53 suffered a BHG due to overheating (bought it that way). Head was completely rebuilt and HG is good to go.

Low speed fan was not working. Replaced fan. Problem solved.

Nav panel is dead so removed it and I now have a nice 5 3/4” spot in the dash to add a temp gauge and volt gauge.

has anyone else added a temp gauge? I know I can’t remove the stock sender and do an aftermarket sender, so would you tap the thermostat housing? Or put it in the upper radiator hose coupling (the thing w the bleed screw?)

Not as concerned w low coolant temps. Just want to monitor possible overheating.

Not particularly interested in Scan Gauge. Prefer gauges for function as well as aesthetics

thanks

 

I would do the hose coupling adapter for the temp sender before trying to drill and tap that plastic housing...

 

Check out the OBD II Fusion app for iPhone. Requires an inexpensive Bluetooth OBD dongle (plugs into OBD port) and gives you more vehicle information than you'll ever need or use.

 

This, or get a ScanGauge or similar, if OP is looking for static display.

 

Thanks for the advice. I think I will do both.

I ordered a coupler with a pre drilled 1/8 NPT hole and a gauge to fit

 

Swap to Chrono pack and get a real temp gauge and a real fuel gauge. The oil ones are simulated, but fuel and temp are real.

that’s what I did!

mine had a bad nav drive but no sense replacing it as it is so out of date.

So I ditched them both and revirginized a Chrono pack and plugged it in instead with a new surround. Cost less than a new drive, or an aftermarket guage too, I think cluster and surround and r270 to revirginize, I’m in it about $150 and less than 2 hours time.

 

I ordered a temperature gauge w sensor and a voltage gauge on Amazon. Both 2” (52mm) and made my own custom gauge plate out of Lexan I had in the garage. Lots of cutting and grinding to make it all fit, but I’m pleased with the results. Was able to hack power off of the harness that went to the Nav screen. Ran the sensor wire through the firewall at the brake booster. Way more time than money invested. I spent $40 for gauges, $10 for the 32 MM coupler and $20 for 20g wire.

the only challenge was grounding the sensor since it is screwed into the aluminum coupler. I used a ring connector on the end of the wire and a small rubber seal (actually from on faucet valve seal I had). The sensor and coupler are pipe thread so the sensor didn’t snug down. The rubber spacer takes up the gap and pushes the ground wire connector up against the bottom of the sensor.

the only other thing I did was drill through the housing so I could use the little hole as an air bleed screw. (Little silver screw in pic) Easy peasy. I added teflon tape to make sure it doesn’t leak.

car warmed up and the gauge slowly climbed to 230* (ish). Then the fans kicked on and it dropped to a comfortable 210*

so, I consider it a win.

also love having a voltage gauge

 

Looks good! Coolant temp looks high? I might have gone for a 300°F full sweep temp gauge to get a little better resolution.

 

Agree. The gauge is on the low end of precision. I will upgrade them in the future if I keep this car

 

Nice looking set-up for the gauge panel.



This is my set-up. It looks like it is about to say, "You ate yours..These are mine!" to Count De Monet. I call it "The Bearnaise Cluster". :D The empty spot is for an electrical water temp gauge that arrives within the hour....