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I recently had an oil pressure scare. Driving in the rain and suddenly at a stoplight (Idling), the oil light comes on. I rev the engine to 1k rpm and it goes away. But under 1k rpm it pops back up. This near exact scenario happened 2 years ago in my old D2. Both times it was raining and I was driving/had driven in puddles within 5 miles of the light. I changed the pressure sensor and oil. When inspecting both, the oil was fine, no sparkles or shavings on the drain plug. The engine only has ~10k miles so to be expected. Turns out the electrical plug on the oil sensor was full of oil and water.
From my understanding, the oil light comes on if the oil pressure is 7psi or lower. Does the ECU know the exact oil pressure? I'd like to be able to display the pressure on a scan gauge.
Also, has anyone had any luck putting a T fitting in the sensors location to put a gauge and the factory sensor? Not sure if this would affect the readings as the sensors would be offset and have an extra bend. I want to install a electronic or mechanical gauge in addition to the factory sensor.
On the disco 2 for about 40 bucks you can buy a sandwich adapter that fits between your oil filter and timing chain housing.
On my VW TDI powered old Toyota I used a tee, to put my oil gauge sensor and the OEM dummy sensor. I then ran a stainless braided hose from the tee to the oil pressure port on the block. Both sensors are attached to the inner fender now.
Neither method cost too much other than the other.
Last edited by PickleRick; Dec 3, 2024 at 08:41 AM.
I did the sandwich adapter and gauge on the dash with a glowshift setup. It’s not perfect as it’s at the oil filter but you can at least get a good ball park and learn the tendencies of the engine.
I did some research on this way back when and there is a way you plumb at the factory idiot light sensor or the like. I think I looked into doing a T fitting so I could run the OEM sensor and a sender for a gauge, but I think it would be a tight fit.
This isn’t a high end super car, so just like not needing a Fluke for electrical stuff where a decent meter gives you acceptable ballpark readings, the sandwich setup gets you an 80% solution.
No, unfortunately the ECU does not know. As mentioned, the sandwich adapter is a fine idea. Simple and effective. Regarding a T fitting, it is a tight fit in there and I agree it probably wouldn't fit. Your best bet would be a VDO sensor that had a floating ground switch for the OE sensor light function, and a pressure sender output for a gauge. It would probably require an extension to get it away from the cover, and would require adapting the factory harness to it. See, sandwich adapter is a great solution...
The tee style would work fine if you put a braided line going from the dummy switch port up to the passenger rear side of your engine bay (on non SA models). There's so much room up there and unused space. You will need to extend your dummy switch wires but if you can wire an oil sensor this is a non issue
Also a great space to put a universal windshield wiper fluid tank when you install a winch bumper.
Last edited by PickleRick; Dec 3, 2024 at 03:34 PM.
That's funny. That's exactly what I did for a car that had a canister filter and not a spin on, but wouldn't fit a VDO. I made a small manifold out of a piece of 1" aluminum bar stock and put two sensor ports in it, and then ran a small piece of braided line from the end of the bar stock to the original sensor port. I reused it on the Disco, but would never go through all that trouble again when a sandwich filter is an option.
That's funny. That's exactly what I did for a car that had a canister filter and not a spin on, but would fit a VDO. I made a small manifold out of a piece of 1" aluminum bar stock and put two sensor ports in it, and then ran a small piece of braided line from the end of the bar stock to the original sensor port. I reused it on the Disco, but would never go through all that trouble again when a sandwich filter is an option.
That was the only reason for using the tee in my Toyota build, the VW uses a weird canister filter so no sandwich adapter would work.
I'll definitely look into the sandwich adapter. The electronic gauges I'm seeing online (quick basic search) for electric ones are $99+, and have mixed reviews. I have an old mechanical gauge laying around, but I don't like the idea of sending oil through the fire wall. Rovers leak enough as it is, and I'll likely end up with a leak if I do it myself. I am on a relative budget and very limited with time. This may be a project for the future, although oil pressure is super important.
As far as windshield washer bottle mount, the PO made a small tank out of PVC pipes + fittings. Located right behind the driver side headlight. Ofc it leaks so I've got to rebuilt/seal it.
@rikkd I use a sandwich adapter and a glowshift gauge, but I just hook up the gauge when I need. It works really well to check oil pressure and get a baseline
Tee fitting will work, I have done it. I have used the innovate motorsports MTX-D oil temperature and pressure gauge quite a lot as it has programmable alarm (flashing oil pressure numbers or flashing led's for temperature. I use the oil temperature sensor for coolant temperature, works fine. https://www.innovatemotorsports.com/...mperature.html If you have an 03-04 you can use the unused oil cooler port (LS engine oil pressure adapter works), on a 99-02 you can also use the plug higher up. Fits nicely in our new gauge pod.
Displaying Oil Pressure Options
