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Hey guys, I want to put an oil temp gauge on my dash and don't know if i already have an oil temp sensor in the engine or if i need to buy one, also what do you think i should buy to complete the install? I'll obviously take the car to a competent mechanic since i've never done anything with electricity and don't want to screw up the electronics in the car.
No, it doesn't have one, automotive engines are rarely fitted with oil temperature measuring systems.
If you're using an electrical oil temperature gauge, you'll need a sensor to match the gauge, if you're using a mechanical gauge it doesn't need a sensor, it will come with a bulb & capillary tube attached.
Having said that, an oil temperature gauge is likely to be of very little value, it won't tell you anything that the coolant temperature gauge isn't already telling you, and the coolant temperature gauge is a more reliable indicator of engine temperature.
Seriously? I thought that the oil temp was a better way to check the engine temp because it warms up later compared to the coolant (correct me if i'm wrong, i may have confused the order)
And i wanted to buy that gauge to be able to know oil temp at all times and also for the aestethic since it fits the car well
In theory yes but in reality with a modern engine and modern oils it's irrelevant. You can pretty much drive however you like on a cold engine without issue.
I believe you and i know that lubrication technology has come a long way since the old times but i'm still worried about thrashing my engine if my internals are cold or not warm enough to expand to fit the right clearances
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