Adding a colant temp gauge
 

Im dealing with cooling issues right now and as part of my repairs im thinking about adding a better gauge for measuring the engine temp.

If I understand correctly the ECT sensor only operates with a "safe" zone reading. Meaning that between "x-temp and y-temp" there is no change on the gauge in the dash. I want to add a gauge that is continually reading and updating engine temperature. If that makes sense.

My basic idea of how this would need to be setup involves taping into the ECT sensor and just adding the gauge to some location I chose. That just seems to straight forward.

Are there any other gauges I might as well add? Oil temp (and/or oil pressure) and A/F ratio seem to be the most useful.

If anyone has any info on adding a temp gauge let me know or point me in the right direction. I really want a more accurate readout of my engines temp.

Thanks

Let me suggest that you google up the Engine Watchdog engine temperature sensor made and sold by Signals Australia. I have one on both my ti and my wife's Z3 and I love them. Many advantages over a temp guage IMO. John

Does anyone know which VDO sender adapter and sender are need to for the M42 engine? I want to piece together just a temp gauge since I don't want or need the other two in the VDO kit. And I don't want to drop that kind of change so this is a budget. haha

Well its easy, all you need is the adapter and any gauge you'd like. I went with a Prosport gauge system which was analog since I don't like digital that much.

First find the size of the inlet cooling line which is I believe 38mm
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-NPT-6AN-...575547&vxp=mtr

Find a gauge you'd like which usually comes with the sender. The sender is 1/8npt which should thread into the gauge adapter.
Cut ur upper radiator hose with enough room to put the new sender in between the new cut and wire it all up.