Where's the oil temperature port?

[The patriot]

Was getting some long overdue work done.
Where is the port for oil temp?
TIA

 

[Cummins12V98]

No such thing

 

[dieselshadow]

No such thing

I was going to say the same thing. There is no factory designated oil temp port. You can infer one or fab one depending on what you're looking for. Oil pan temp is one thing, but I'd prefer pre oil cooler. This would tell you what's going on immediately, not after what it could compensate for. But there's no port to put a sensor. Depending on the model truck you have, you'd probably have to settle for a line temp sensor to do that.

Either way, you'll have to do some head scratching on this, decide where you want it, and get the appropriate parts needed.

 

[GAmes]

If you are not already using the port on top of the oil filter for a mechanical gauge you could put the sender there. Since it is directly over the hole in the center of the filter the probe could be a few inches long.

 

[Cummins12V98]

If you are not already using the port on top of the oil filter for a mechanical gauge you could put the sender there. Since it is directly over the hole in the center of the filter the probe could be a few inches long.

Good idea! I like that location to take an oil sample.

 

[GAmes]

I have my oil pressure sender mounter there. The Fumoto drain valve makes getting an oil sample very easy.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have my oil pressure sender mounter there. The Fumoto drain valve makes getting an oil sample very easy.

True but not the best location because of what may be at the bottom of the pan. I also don't trust people! I do have one on my 350 in my boat. Makes for a simple CLEAN oil change.

When my 98 oil pressure gauge went to ZERO it freaked me out so I used that port to confirm my oil pressure was good. I then replaced the sender.

It gave me the idea it would make a great spot to do the sample from. I used a 1/8" brass pipe thread fitting with a barbed hose end with a 3' long pc of poly hose that i would stick into the oil fill hole and start the engine. I would let it flush out any impurities then lift hose into sample bottle. Slick!

 

[The patriot]

Ok guys.
Thanks.
My gauge is mechanical, so the port on top of the filter housing is going to be too small.
It requires at least a 3/8" pipe thread port.
I assumed with the way this engine is used (prolific) there's surely be an oil temperature gauge on the block.

 

[BigPapa]

3/8" pipe is huge for a sensor. I don't know of any 3/8" pipe oil ports on our Cummins blocks.

Are you sure it's not 1/8" or 1/4"?

1/8" pipe is roughly 0.40" OD (just over 3/8")
1/4" pipe is roughly 0.52" OD
3/8" pipe is roughly 0.66" OD (just over 5/8")

 

[mwilson]

Here is a Stewart Warner 1/4” temp sender..

https://www.stewartwarner.com/product/temperature-sender-pn-362an-d/

As long as your gauge range matches the range of the sender (100°-240°) it should work..

 

[Cummins12V98]

Top of filter housing is a 1/8” pipe plug.

 

[NIsaacs]

The OP has a mechanical gauge, so it most likely requires an adapter like this:
The sealing nut on the gauge cable is straight thread so it will need the pipe thread adapter, so yes they are rather large.

 

[mwilson]

Whoops, missed the mechanical thing...

 

[mwilson]

I just checked your profile and see you have a 12 valve. I’ll check your block and see if there is something on the LH side you can tap. Even if it’s 1/4” a reducer will be ok.
There should be something there.
I like that idea better than reducing two sizes on top of the oil filter adapter....
Trucks all have the senders in the oil pan as a rule..

 

[NIsaacs]

Trucks all have the senders in the oil pan as a rule..

That is the best place, they really need to be immersed or at least in the full flow of the liquid being monitored. A dead end extension to allow for the length of the thermocouple puts it too far away and you will get poor readings.

 

[mwilson]

I’m trying to remember how much room is around the oil feed line and fitting for the vacuum pump.....tee it into that flow maybe??

 

[Ozymandias]

Turbo feed line? There is quite a big thread. Also with a T?

 

[The patriot]

Thanks Ozzy.
I can try that!