Xb12: is this an engine drain plug? (Pic inside)

[fox8701]

im looking to add a oil temp digital gauge and looking for an appropriate place to add it.. So with that said, is this an engine drain plug or an available place to add the temp fitting? Anyone done this before? Also if it is, does anyone know the size of the plug? Thank you

It's the fitting between the oil line & oil pressure switch..

 

[nicholas900]

I don't know. I have an older one with a different cam cover. But you can get a different oil pressure switch from VDO. It will have two terminals, one for your switch for factory gauge and one for your digital gauge.

Keep in mind they are bigger in diameter not sure how much room you have there. I'm working on putting one in mine now.

 

[WIGGLE2]

But you can get a different oil pressure switch from VDO.

VDO makes a sender that produces BOTH Temp and pressure signal? That's pretty cool.

 

[user_deleted]

is this an engine drain plug

no

 

[fox8701]

I was looking at VDOs page and didn't find one that did both.. Just either pressure switch OR temp..

lunaticfringe.. Do you happen to know what it's for?

 

[jetlee]

VDO makes a sender that produces BOTH Temp and pressure signal? That's pretty cool.

I think he meant it does both the switch function for the stock oil pressure light and an output signal for use by an oil pressure gauge; no temperature functionality.

Pressure Sensor with Warning Contact
http://www.vdo-instruments.com/sensors/pressure-sensors-switches.html?prod_sec_sub_type=1461

Though the OP is looking for oil temp.

 

[nicholas900]

I think he meant it does both the switch function for the stock oil pressure light and an output signal for use by an oil pressure gauge; no temperature functionality.

Yeah, my bad. Didn't read the post well.

 

[fox8701]

yeah but that also a good idea if I want to run an oil pressure gauge one day..

I'm still trying to find out what that fitting is for..

 

[nicholas900]

I couldn't tell ya.

I'm not sure how much they changed in the newer style engine. My oil pressure sender mounts in the block behind the exhaust. Maybe the new style engines have a plug there instead of the sender you could use?

Usually though, temp sensors are mounted in the oil reservoir to give a steady reading. You might get a lot of fluctuations mounting elsewhere.

Keep us posted on what you come up with!

 

[fox8701]

I tried searching my engine, but it appears our engines are setup more differently than I expected cause I couldn't find that plug in the area that yours is.. I just have oil inlet/outlets for the oil cooler lines; I'm tempted to just unscrew it, but hoping someone comes forward and has an idea to what it's used for...

 

[stellio78]

According to the parts catalog it's a bypass valve

 

[stellio78]

2009 parts catalog page 21 index # 10 - valve, bypass. 9 - spring, compression. 4 - o-ring. 17 - plug.

 

[fox8701]

hmmmm, so it's a valve or a plug? Do you have a picture of that diagram? I don't have access to the parts catalog at least from google I couldn't search for one

 

[nicholas900]

Here ya go. It looks like Stellio78 was correct. It appears to be a relief valve to bypass the oil filter if it got plugged.

If it was me, I would look to find a way to mount your temp sensor in your swingarm either using the oil drain hole in the bottom of it, or in dipstick tube you'll get a steadier reading that way. Or use a cylinder head temp gauge instead if your set on knowing the temp.

IMO the most useful gauges to add to your bike would be a voltage gauge followed by an oil pressure gauge. But that's just me. Good luck with your project.

 

[fox8701]

ah there we go! I seriously appreciate all of your help with this.. I have a digital volt meter on it already and this was my next quest.. And reason I'm in the hunt to find oil temp is because during these hot 90+ jersey summers sitting in steady shore traffic or at the NJMotorsports track, I'm just curious to monitor how well it keeps cool under certain conditions.. I'll have to start my search to find out the exact size of the Swingarm drain plug now