Trans/Engine oil temp sensor mount locatio???

[Loobed]

Hello.

[I can't seem to post in any other section of this board so I posted this question here]

I would like to install a transmission and engine oil temp guage.

Where is the best place to mount the temperature sensor to measure engine oil or auto-transmission oil temperature.

a) In the oil pan
b) Before the cooler
c) After the cooler
d) Somewhere else

I have a 2001 GMC truck with 5.3L motor and 4L60E transmission. Some people say to mount the transmission temp sensor in the presure test port on the upper left side of the transmission. I dont know if the size of the temp sensor will interfear with the flow of oil in the transmission if I mount it in the presure test port.

 

[carlprop]

It's no problem to mount your transmission temp sensor to the pressure port and will not affect your internal trans. pressure. You should be able to mount your engine temp sensor at the oil pressure sensor if there is room for a tee fitting. Just make sure to use anti-sieze tape at the fittings.

 

[Gary Allan]

For the trans, I like the pan. It gives you a composite of the "insult reserve" of the total system. In many transmissions the post cooled fluid is used for lubrication of the rotating parts. Keep in mind that ATF is primarily power transmission modality that is a coolant that also lubricates. The "bathing" of the rotating parts conducts this heat. Most of the heat is generated by the converter when not locked up ..and this is the typical outlet to the cooler. Reading before the cooler would tend to give you your peak temp. Reading after the cooler would tend to give you your lowest temp. The pan would give you your supply temp after it's rejected and absorbed all the btu's it can.

On the engine oil, I've used pressure ports in the past, but some are better than others. If it's too close to the water jacket, you'll have coolant influences. If the port is too far away (deep) from the oil passage, you'll dissipate btu's through the block just radiating to the ambient air. I'm not saying that it won't work ..just that there may be alterations to the reading. Here, I'd probably take the precooler temp as the location of choice. The in and out temps are a nice thing ..but seeing what the oil exits the engine at would be good enough.

See if there's an unused plug/port somewhere on the oil cooler adapter/filter housing. That should have a high enough refresh rate, without outside influences, to give a decent reading.

Good luck!