Oil Pump Takeoff (Euro)

[Citroënbender]

These plugs:

I’ve got what I think to be an oil pressure sensor fault, but it’s absolutely buried in the engine bay. Have dropped the oil and looked for sparkles, nothing.

Wondering what anyone else might have seen in regards to using one of these type plugged ports for an auxiliary gauge (temporarily). I’ve seen very similar oil pump setups across a broad range of cars, but never opened one up. Greatest concern is that whatever sealant is used, it may take the thread out with the plug - which I assume to be an NPT fitting.

[Franco Cozzo]

If they're NPT ports,

VDO 350010021 gauge (12V 0-100 PSI)
VDO 360.086 sender (100 PSI sender)
VDO 240.030 plug kit (for gauge, but can just use crimp terminals if you want to be dodge)

If you're one of those weirdos who uses metric measurements for pressure then these will work as an alternative:

VDO 350030016 (0-500 KPA gauge)
VDO 360.001 (0-500 KPA sender)
VDO 240.030 (3 pin plug kit)

Should be easily available from your local corporate monster auto parts reseller.

They also do a range of brass adapters to go from 1/8"-27NPTF that their senders are to other sizes.

[Citroënbender]

There’s nearly (probably) enough room to screw a gauge direct into the port.

I’m more worried about releasing swarf, dislocating some unexpected port divider or stripping the thread. Fairly sure there’s an oil pressure test kit in the shop, to determine actual hot/cold PSI.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by citroënbender

there’s nearly (probably) enough room to screw a gauge direct into the port.

I’m more worried about releasing swarf, dislocating some unexpected port divider or stripping the thread. Fairly sure there’s an oil pressure test kit in the shop, to determine actual hot/cold psi.

#yolo

[Citroënbender]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

#yolo

#howlow

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

image

#howlow

If there's no ticking and knocking noises, she'll be right

[aussiblue]

Seen this https://www.alfaowner.com/threads/14...please.291535/ and https://www.alfabb.com/threads/low-o...687308&slide=1 ? But what model is it exactly and why not just do the normal thing of putting the pressure gauge where the sender unit goes?


In any event, the plugs appear to be for lines for an optional oil cooler or more likely an engine block heater (if it is really a Euro one) per https://www.giuliaforums.com/threads...-heater.12898/ etc . If we knew the model or engine we might even find a picture online with the lines fitted so your plan should be fine.

[Citroënbender]

The pressure switch is absolutely inaccessible without removing a lot of stuff - rear of block, under intake manifold, behind a support bracket. It’s much easier to test from a readily accessible point first, if that can be done “as is”. The plugs shown, face forward and have 100mm or more free space in front of them before the lower radiator support.

[Citroënbender]

I will add, the warning has failed to appear today, only “adjustment” being some heavy potholes on Victoria Rd westbound.

More comments: It’s probably almost so easy to swap the oil pump as just the sender - more unbolting, but more straightforward. Also, Citroën pioneered the “Two Rules of French Car Repair”, viz- 1. If you can see it, you can’t reach it, and 2. If you can feel it, it’s impossible to see. I believe Alfa may have acquired a licence to use these rules in development of their post-1982 models.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

If they're NPT ports,

VDO 350010021 gauge (12V 0-100 PSI)
VDO 360.086 sender (100 PSI sender)
VDO 240.030 plug kit (for gauge, but can just use crimp terminals if you want to be dodge)

If you're one of those weirdos who uses metric measurements for pressure then these will work as an alternative:

VDO 350030016 (0-500 KPA gauge)
VDO 360.001 (0-500 KPA sender)
VDO 240.030 (3 pin plug kit)

Should be easily available from your local corporate monster auto parts reseller.

They also do a range of brass adapters to go from 1/8"-27NPTF that their senders are to other sizes.

Euros generally don't use NPT, it's an SAE thread, usually only seen on US engines (or US based engines like Holden, Falcon, Valiant).

They are more than likely BSP, because there is no "official" metric plumbing thread.

Dr Terry

[Citroënbender]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

Euros generally don't use NPT, it's an SAE thread, usually only seen on US engines (or US based engines like Holden, Falcon, Valiant).

They are more than likely BSP, because there is no "official" metric plumbing thread.

Dr Terry

I’ll find out over the weekend, have a spare motor I can wind out a plug from. Worst case I drill and tap the large plug to 1/8 NPT then use a secondary brass plug afterwards.

[Dr Terry]

1/8 NPT & 1/8 BSP are very similar, only 1 TPI different (27 VS 28) & very similar diameters.

It might be easier to re-cut the male thread on your gauge adaptor to 1/8 BSP so it fits straight into your motor.

My old RYCO test gauge had both NPT & BSP adaptors to solve that problem.

Dr Terry

[Citroënbender]

Mea culpa, it’s 3/8NPT - confirmed by measurement and the pitch of 18TPI. Secured with some clear glue/sealant.

More annoyingly, no adaptor (reducing bush) in the shop. Still no return of the warning message, however.

[aussiblue]

No loose connections, connection nuts or similar on the back of the warning light?

[Citroënbender]

If I could touch it, that’s something I could evaluate. It’s possible the adjacent pressed metal bracket has chafed the insulation of the sender plug’s wire. It’s a single pole AMP weatherproof connector, they are usually quite snug.

From Fleabay listing 274794974608 (my annotation):

Removed for clarity, as Haynes would say: Subframe, exhaust pipe, starter motor, engine harness, alternator, intermediate driveshaft and power steering pump…

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

Euros generally don't use NPT, it's an SAE thread, usually only seen on US engines (or US based engines like Holden, Falcon, Valiant).

They are more than likely BSP, because there is no "official" metric plumbing thread.

Dr Terry

Euro trucks Volvo - Scania - Iveco - DAF run metric threads for their air fittings and valves anything from 6mm - 22mm.
To get out of trouble it is possible to ram the closest brass NPT fitting to get the truck home or carry out a quick test if the correct metric fitting isn't available.

[Citroënbender]

Is that a metric taper, or with flat seal/dowty/o-ring?

I felt fortunate to discover the NPT profile here.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Is that a metric taper, or with flat seal/dowty/o-ring?

I felt fortunate to discover the NPT profile here.

Straight thread with washer or O ring.
Come to think of it I think Cummins also use metric threads for their fittings/plugs/sensors. I'll check tomorrow as I have an ISX in bits.

[Citroënbender]

Just a little overpackaged.

My 1/8-3/8 NPT reducing bushes. One for the shop kit, one to glue in the motor.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by smoo

Euro trucks Volvo - Scania - Iveco - DAF run metric threads for their air fittings and valves anything from 6mm - 22mm.
To get out of trouble it is possible to ram the closest brass NPT fitting to get the truck home or carry out a quick test if the correct metric fitting isn't available.

Yes, but those aren't tapered plumbing fittings, they would be a regular metric thread plus an o-ring or Dowty washer (or even a coper or aluminium washer) to do the sealing.

My point being, is that there is no metric tapered plumbing thread standard, for convenience most Euros & Japs just use BSP if need be.

Dr Terry