hooking up water temperature gauge

[6cylpwr]

i have a small dilemma. i have just bought a specometer mechanical water temperature gauge, as i believe the gauge in my dash isnt working properly. and i have come to the part where i need to connect it to the cooling system.
i know there are 2 water temp sensors where the top hose connects to the engine. one is for the dash gauge (smaller one with only one connection) and on e that connects to the computer (larger one with 2 connections)
seeing as the sensor and fitting that comes attached to the gauge is much larger than the origional gauge sensor, will there be any problems removing the sensor that connectrs to the computer and putting the new gauge sensor in its place?

[SweetWagon]

No the ECU needs that sensor for calculating fuel mixtures etc.. you need a reducing bush for your new fitting to be able to screw into the standard temp gauge spot.

[SweetWagon]

have a look here. this should help all you need to do is find the NPT of the threads and get the correct adapter bush to suit. Adaptors for Speco Meter Automotive Gauges from Speco Thomas

cheers

[maxpower QLD]

I'd try fitting a new temp sender or get one from the wreckers that works first or If your still keen on using an after market temperature gauge then i would recomend fitting an electric temp gauge (I've never had much success with mechanical temp gauges) becouse they last longer , are easier to fit and you wont need to use adaptors/reducing bushes to fit the sender to the engine .

[6cylpwr]

i only got this mechanical one because it was very cheap. and i wanted a working temp gauge, i figured it would be easier to put a completely new unit in rather than try and fix a broken one. i have every intention of replacing it with an electronic gauge later on down the track.

[harry3]

those thermometer type gauges dont last long, the tube soon leaks but anyhow the sensor should be as low down as possible on the cooling system so if it leaks, the water covers it for longer giving you more chance to see the high reading

a sensor high up will soon not be covered by water and will give a false reading if there is a leak
it was possible to place the sensor in the bottom radiator hose, using a kit

[Paiste402]

if u havent opened it i would return it IMO. i got an electric temp gauge that i installed too, one signal wire (with the sender included), ground it and give it power from the battery and it gives a good reading. I mean i hooked mine up during my lunch break at work . Just that quick.

Mechanical gauges are alot of trouble, i got a mechanical oil pressure gauge which took me ages to fit and the tubing wouldnt stay in or seal. Funny enough i never got to see the needle move cause the tubing kinked and blocked the flow. So i just gave up, took my loss of money and got the more expensive electric one. Never looked back, again just a signal wire with the new sender, piggie backed it off my temp gauge for power and earth (i run thicker wires to save time) and im done.

I hate the feeling of water and oil actually having to flow into the gauge and just wait to hear a small 'pop' and find ur work shoes covered in coolant and engine oil.