Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Oil Pressure Gauge

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    SF
    Posts
    82
    My Cars
    1980 320i

    Oil Pressure Gauge

    What do I need to run an additional oil pressure gauge? Special fitting? Any links/product specifics would be greatly appreciated so I can source for my mechanic.
    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Omaha NE
    Posts
    482
    My Cars
    1983 BMW 320i
    Haven’t done it on the E21 but on an Alfa I did a “T” fitting at the location the stock oil pressure sender is and (2) ss lines to run to the stock oil pressure sender and the other line runs to the new mechanical oil gauge.That way you maintain the idiot light.

    Or you run (1) ss line from the stock mounting point of the sender point and then put a “T” on that line.to connect the stock sender and mechanical sender.

    The size and tread pitch of the stock oil pressure sender I don’t know.
    Last edited by msiert; 06-24-2022 at 11:10 PM.
    Murray

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    San Jose, California
    Posts
    1,720
    My Cars
    E21 320i, E30 325i
    Something like this to allow you to keep the stock oil pressure switch and add the new oil pressure sender: https://www.iemotorsport.com/product...eed-t-fitting/

    Then the oil pressure sender and gauge like this: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-prosport...top270-12~psp/

    The go-to brand seems to be VDO for the oil pressure sender and oil pressure gauge. There used to be BavAuto that sold a kit with everything for the E21 but they have been out of business for a few years now. Just double check the fittings are the right size before buying anything.

    VDO Oil Pressure Gauges: https://www.vdo-gauges.com/instrumen...-pressure.html
    VDO Oil Pressure Senders: https://www.vdo-gauges.com/sensors/p...tches.html?p=2


    Can also google around for "bmw m10 oil pressure gauge" to get some ideas since a lot more 2002 owners with the same engine would come up in the results.
    '81 E21 320i / '90 E30 325i / '̶9̶2̶ ̶E̶3̶4̶ ̶5̶2̶5̶i̶t (sold) / '15 Toyota XW30 / '̶̶8̶0̶ ̶E̶2̶1̶ ̶3̶2̶0̶i̶A̶ (sold)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    SF
    Posts
    82
    My Cars
    1980 320i
    Quote Originally Posted by amarino View Post
    Something like this to allow you to keep the stock oil pressure switch and add the new oil pressure sender: https://www.iemotorsport.com/product...eed-t-fitting/

    Then the oil pressure sender and gauge like this: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-prosport...top270-12~psp/

    The go-to brand seems to be VDO for the oil pressure sender and oil pressure gauge. There used to be BavAuto that sold a kit with everything for the E21 but they have been out of business for a few years now. Just double check the fittings are the right size before buying anything.

    VDO Oil Pressure Gauges: https://www.vdo-gauges.com/instrumen...-pressure.html
    VDO Oil Pressure Senders: https://www.vdo-gauges.com/sensors/p...tches.html?p=2


    Can also google around for "bmw m10 oil pressure gauge" to get some ideas since a lot more 2002 owners with the same engine would come up in the results.
    Thank you! I should have clarified, I have the gauge, it’s a VDO. Don’t have the sender and fitting so looks like those are what I need to source. I want to keep the stock oil pressure switch so looks like I need the sender & fitting only. Need to check all the fittings that they are correct size.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    downingtown,pa
    Posts
    2,928
    My Cars
    1978 320i

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Omaha NE
    Posts
    482
    My Cars
    1983 BMW 320i
    Is the VDO gauge you have a mechanical or electrical oil pressure gauge?

    If you really want to know what your oil pressure is and does while driving go with a true mechanical gauge.
    Last edited by msiert; 06-25-2022 at 09:01 PM.
    Murray

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    SF
    Posts
    82
    My Cars
    1980 320i
    Quote Originally Posted by msiert View Post
    Is the VDO gauge you have a mechanical or electrical oil pressure gauge?

    If you really want to know what your oil pressure is and does while driving go with a true mechanical gauge.
    Mechanical


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Omaha NE
    Posts
    482
    My Cars
    1983 BMW 320i
    7F609489-799A-4585-966F-785F479CDEA0.jpg

    The picture shows that I mounted the stock sender and the mechanical oil psi gauge to the firewall in the engine bay. It used to be in the cab but since I don’t do time trials anymore I just use it to check the idle oil pressure at start up and after the drives.

    With the mechanical gauge you just fasten the oil line to the gauge you don’t have that metal cylinder thingy. So you just need the “T” adapter and some ss line.
    Last edited by msiert; 06-26-2022 at 12:22 AM.
    Murray

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Santa Monica
    Posts
    60
    My Cars
    1981 BMW 320i
    Quote Originally Posted by msiert View Post
    Dang. That is one spectacular engine bay. Very inspiring!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Vacaville,CA
    Posts
    277
    My Cars
    1987 BMW 535iS
    I have the VDO fitting that allows use of the original pressure sender and also an additional port for your mechanical oil pressure gauge.

Similar Threads

  1. F/S: High-end Boost, EGT, Oil Pressure Gauges !!
    By 95MMM in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 06-29-2003, 12:22 PM
  2. What does your oil pressure gauge read at idle?
    By nicholas in forum Forced Induction
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-18-2003, 08:10 PM
  3. Oil Pressure Gauge Install????
    By pianoman90 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-15-2003, 12:10 PM
  4. oil pressure gauge
    By bigmansM in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 03-02-2003, 12:08 PM
  5. Oil pressure gauges
    By knomad in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-08-2001, 01:35 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •