Oil Level Gauge: is it possible?

[rbattelle]

I used to have a Ranger that had an oil level sensor in it. On startup, if the oil was 1-quart low it would warn you about it. I thought this was convenient.



Does anyone know if there is any way to measure oil level in the engine continuously, so that you could do something about losing oil before it's indicated on the pressure gauge? I know this would be tough, since much of the oil leaves the pan when running, and is otherwise sloshing around a lot.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Yeppers, it sure is. See Westach, they have a capacitance fluid level monitor system. http://www.frostalarm.com/cat/fuelinfo.html







But, if you would rather do it the cheaper way, the oil field industry has glass sight tubes where you can see the oil level at a quick glance. Dunno how convienient that would be having to kneel down a take a peek These are nothing more than elbow compression fittings attached to the side of the oil pan. The top one above the full level and the bottom one as low as it can be placed.



Would not be hard to accomplish the same thing at the hardware store. Obtain a pyrex glass tube from the chemistry supply store and do it yourself. Glass breaks if you compress it too hard... Using fittings with O-rings might be better.

 

[Joe G.]

I have a marine pressure alarm switch. It warns when oil pressure is at or below 10 PSI.

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by John - K5AWO

But, if you would rather do it the cheaper way, the oil field industry has glass sight tubes where you can see the oil level at a quick glance. Dunno how convienient that would be having to kneel down a take a peek These are nothing more than elbow compression fittings attached to the side of the oil pan. The top one above the full level and the bottom one as low as it can be placed.

I have considered doing this, except for the danger of breaking the sightglass on something. My dream is an electric unit like the Westach that I can thread in place of the drain plug and will give me a gauge in the cab similar to a fuel level gauge.

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by rbattelle

I used to have a Ranger that had an oil level sensor in it. On startup, if the oil was 1-quart low it would warn you about it. I thought this was convenient.

Me too on a 93 Ranger, I bet with a little work you could adapt the Ranger's level sensor and wire it up to an led.

But is it really worth the trouble? You wouldn't want the led to come on till its at the add mark which is 2 quarts low.

I do 7500 mile changes and it never looses any.



If your worried about a leak going un-noticed consider this. .

When the oil pressure drops below a safe zone and the engine is running the ECM will command on the red CHECK GAUGES lamp and that should get some attention.

 

[rbattelle]

Re: Re: Oil Level Gauge: is it possible?

Originally posted by Matt400

Me too on a 93 Ranger, I bet with a little work you could adapt the Ranger's level sensor and wire it up to an led.

But is it really worth the trouble? You wouldn't want the led to come on till its at the add mark which is 2 quarts low.

I do 7500 mile changes and it never looses any.



If your worried about a leak going un-noticed consider this. .

When the oil pressure drops below a safe zone and the engine is running the ECM will command on the red CHECK GAUGES lamp and that should get some attention.

True. But, how low will the oil level get before it's indicated as a drop in pressure? Can you lose 5 quarts of oil and still have good pressure? I must confess complete ignorance on this.

 

[Joe G.]

I have no idea about what oil level causes a drop in pressure. Some other failure might also cause a drop in pressure and there still be plenty of oil. I use the marine pressure sensor because I know that it will be on if the pressure is 15 PSI or less. I can probably get shut down before something breaks if that happens. This also prevents a panic if the stock pressure sensor goes bad. I don't know about the CEL business. My alarm is a pretty big bright red light. I also have one of these sensors on my fuel pressure. I have a coolant temp sensor that I have not installed yet. Marine alarm systems normally have a very loud bell, but I decided I didn't need that in the truck.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Re: Re: Oil Level Gauge: is it possible?

Originally posted by Matt400



If your worried about a leak going un-noticed consider this. .

When the oil pressure drops below a safe zone and the engine is running the ECM will command on the red CHECK GAUGES lamp and that should get some attention.

Only if you have older software in your ECM.



I had the infamous oil sender reflash, now I can hang a sender by it's leads in free air and I get 40PSI on the gauge. More of DC STUPID engineering.



I took it back when the gauge stayed on 40PSI, hot/cold/red line/idle. After some *itching they tested the sender and found it was bad but no way to undo the reflash.



DC sucks real bad sometimes.

 

[Matt400]

Re: Re: Re: Oil Level Gauge: is it possible?

Originally posted by rbattelle

how low will the oil level get before it's indicated as a drop in pressure?

I can't say for sure, its a pretty big pan and the pick up screen is at the bottom no doubt.



Once the pick up started drawing in air the pressure would drop and the "Check Gauges" lamp will come on when the ECM see's an RPM signal and low pressure at the same time.

You would then of course shut down the engine.