Have read somewhere that you can use the existing housing for the temperature sensor fitted on V8 models to fit an oil pressure switch, which operates a light in case oil pressure becomes too low (catastrophic oil leak?) Sounds like something which is "too easy" not to try and do, anyone has done it and can point me towards the right type of sensor/switch required?

Thanks!
Mark

 

how would "a light in case oil pressure becomes too low" be any different from the existing light that comes on when the oil pressure is too low?

 

im talking about adding an oil pressure switch to the R380 manual gearbox

 

sorry -- missed that bit. would a pressure sensor have to be calibrated for transmission oil rather than engine oil?

 

Serious question, what would a gearbox run for oil pressure? Do you have that info?

 

The R380 does have a pump just below the rear output. I don't know where you would actually tap into the case to measure the pressure though.

 

from the rave (p.37-7)"

"Lubrication is by an oil pump located in the extension housing and driven by the layshaft with additional lubrication being provided by splash. The pump directs oil via a filter and internal drillings in the output shaft to lubricate the components. On non UK and non European models, provision for oil cooling is by means of a thermostat housed in a cover bolted to the side of the extension housing. The cover incorporates tappings for connections to an oil cooler. On UK and European models, the thermostat and cover are replaced by an oil by-pass block."

so it seems like you should be able to tap into the lines running to the oil cooler, or if you have a uk/euro truck, by getting the thermostat cover from a foreign truck and using the oil cooler port for a pressure switch. i don't know whether the thermostat would allow full pressure into the oil cooler lines unless the temperature was high enough.

 

Hmm, thanks for the replies, seems like it isnt as straight forward as i hoped for but probably doable. My gearbox does not have the oil cooler so i would need the manifold. My main concern is detecting severe oil leaks before it is too late. I know some people who destroyed their boxes in that way

 

it seems there exist aftermarket oil cooler kits that do not use a thermostat, but a simpler adapter block. will try to fetch something like that.