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Dr Strangeglove

Well-Known Member
I have a 300tdi and I am a bit paranoid about overheating. I know the 300tdi can cook due to coolant loss as the water pump is located near the top of the engine. The original radiator when I purchased the truck had a slight hole and this almost created this very situation, but thankfully I spotted it and nursed it home after buying a few bottles of water from the nearest supermarket so I could keep topping up.

Anyway, new radiator fitted and system tested, but my paranoia remains.

So I am considering fitting one of the cylinder head temperature sensors and gauges. There are different ones available and wondered if anyone has had experience with them or has recommendations.

I have seen these on ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/31322714...C2NqmK2QMW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

And this one has an alarm.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/33445014...C2NqmK2QMW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Also, if anyone already has one fitted, where would you recommend for fixing the sensor

As always thanks for the help.

Regards

Mick
 
quick look at your links & would the second one be better?
You have 2 options ie block & water.
There are some good mechanical probes around that fit in the dash of the LR
 
Hicap phill said:
quick look at your links & would the second one be better?
You have 2 options ie block & water.
There are some good mechanical probes around that fit in the dash of the LR
Click to expand...
I do like the look of the second one as it also includes an alarm which I think is an important addition as it means you don't need to constantly watch the gauge. I am presuming a quick loss of coolant would raise the temperature quickly and would be easily missed unless constantly watching the gauge. This gauge is also available with a single sensor for £80.
 
I bought one of these from Gaugeinnovations in Australia, which also has a gearbox temp gauge built in. There are other options. Haven't fitted it yet so I've no idea how good it is, but it's another option for you.
upload_2022-5-24_12-0-44.png

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313361806925
 
I live in France, so not sure it would be the same, but I paid approx £107 for the unit, £16 delivery and £25 vat. That was all prepaid on eBay. When it was delivered the postie asked for 32 euros (£27 ish), assume that was import duty.
It's not the cheapest gauge around, but it seems well designed, and is programmable with alarms. Plus it looks cool!
 
I paid about four quid for the cheapest digital 12v one I could find and taped the sensor to the top hose with a square of foam taped over that.
It’s worked fine for the past six years as I haven’t got anything else apart from my nose to detect overheating.
 
I know you don't want it in the coolant hose but just thought I would show the adapter I installed in my P38 to go with an Autometer temp Guage.
I had to really search on Amazon and ebay before I could find a thermocouple unit to bolt onto the engine. Not common over here. You gotta love those Chinese descriptions:

"Dual Channel ---- Tachometer can measure 2 temperatures at the same time,"

Have to wonder if you would trust your engine to these guys.

Screenshot_20220516-151829_File Manager - XFolder.jpg
 
lynall said:
Ok but its cheap and reliable, I have two both around ten years old
Click to expand...
You can't beat cheap and reliable- they are two words I like to hear together!
The reason for the audible alarm is due to the horror stories I have heard about if the 300tdi loses coolant and I want mine to be a keeper and will be doing some motorway driving so paranoid of missing the gauge!
 
IMO, coolant level is the thing to monitor, as per post#3 - since it will be this going low that will precede any overheating - other than a belt or a contained WP failure .. ( which the Alt light, and the temp gauge will indicate ).

When I am towing with my 300Tdi Auto, I watch the water temp AND EGT gauge's like a hawk - probably a bit too much - but, like you, this is a keeper...
 
This is what Britannica Restorations suggested adding to your coolant tank along with an alarm. I am planning to do that eventually as I have had a couple of water leaks with the P38.

Screenshot_20220525-090407_Amazon Shopping.jpg
 
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