Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil Temp Gauge ?

[Cigar John]

Where is a good place to install a sender for an oil temp gauge? It looks like there is a plug on top of the oil filter housing,but I was wondering if it would restrict oil flow. Thanks, John

 

[WestTN]

Why do you want to check the oil temp? Right behind the oil filter mount is an oil to water cooler. If your oil is getting hot the water will too and you will see it on the dash gauge.

 

[Texas Diesel]

It looks like there is a plug on top of the oil filter housing,but I was wondering if it would restrict oil flow. hn

That is what they put the hole there for, no problem with oil restriction. I have had a sender there for 100k + miles. It's a nice way to see when the engine is fully warmed up and if running too hot towing. I've seen 240F in the mountains towing in the summer, and with 250F being no-no land I've been able to determine when to back off the throttle. Interestingly enough the water temp didnt get above normal range but the oil temp sure did. The rear diff was at 245F, but that was before I put a synthetic in the diif, now I never see higher than 220F.

 

[Cigar John]

Thanks T. D. ,I've also noticed the difference between the way the oil and water temps change under load. My Freightliner has the gauge sender in the pan but the computer reads from a pressure port and it seems to be a better indicator of engine conditions, which is why I wanted it there on the CTD. BTW I just changed the diffs and trans to Royal Purple and am very happy with it. Is Syncromax the proper lube for the transfer case?

 

[Texas Diesel]

It is intertesting to see how coolant temp and engine oil temp can diverge at times. Senders mounted in the pan seem to suffer from the heat sink effect, that is why (I suspect) that Mag Hytec mounted the differential temperature sender in the top on the cover, that way you get operational oil temp rather than oil that has cooled (heat sink effect) by the aluminum cover.



Yes, Synchromax is the suggested oil for use in your transfer case. It is a much better lube than ATF IMO.



Oil change intervals are somewhat debateable, I run 30k miles in the manual transmission and have been changing the transfer case at the same time. But I think that is too often for the transfer case, I'm going to try 50k mile intervals on the transfercase with an oil level check at each engine oil change. The transfer case dosent hold much oil unless you have the PTO verson and a Fastcooler installed.