Oil - Temperature and Pressure Gauges + Radiator

so.simple · October 4, 2004, 17:22

s:oops: :oops: s:oops: Please don't flame me (too much), but I have a question to ask.

Does the '2 have an oil radiator? If not do you know where I can buy a kit from and the kind of prices I can expect?

Also... What's the level of difficulty of installing 2 additional gauges to check the oil condition (temperature and pressure).

Thanks in advance!

mph · October 5, 2004, 00:02

Quote from: "so.simple"Does the '2 have an oil radiator?

Umm, depends. All UK specification cars do, whereas all USA specification cars do not. Unfortunately, I don't know the status of the rest of the EU.

Quote from: "so.simple"If not do you know where I can buy a kit from and the kind of prices I can expect?

There was some product development / group-buy done on SpyderChat - that may give you some clue. You could alternatively source the parts used by Toyota, but that may not be cheap!

Quote from: "so.simple".. What's the level of difficulty of installing 2 additional gauges to check the oil condition (temperature and pressure).

Depends, as does most things. Electrical gauges are simpler to fit than mechanical, though typically less accurate. The pressure gauge (either) is simple to do, however the temperature (ideally) requires tapping the sump to place the probe. I went with mechanical guages.. I still haven't got around to having the temperature gauge plumbed-in yet!

so.simple · October 5, 2004, 00:09

mmm...

I guess I'll start with the pressure gauge. Also, since my car is at the dealer having its engine replaced, I'll ask them about the radiator.

Thank you.

Tem · October 5, 2004, 08:48

Quote from: "mph"
Quote from: "so.simple"Does the '2 have an oil radiator?
Umm, depends. All UK specification cars do, whereas all USA specification cars do not. Unfortunately, I don't know the status of the rest of the EU.

Finnish cars have it and IIRC Germany has it as well. One Greek member said they don't have it though, so it seems to vary s:? :? s:?
(I think it was Thodwris, but not sure)

SteveJ · October 5, 2004, 10:03

Errrr, the '2 does not have an oil radiator - it does have an oil-water intercooler on all european models. This is a unit sandwiched between the engine and the oil filter.

Unless you are running a turbo, please dont even consider fitting an oil rad as the oil will run too cool and outside of design specs (especially in the UK). Even with a turbo, Martin doesnt suffer any ill effects without an oil rad - the oil-water intercooler seems to handle the additional load quite nicely.

Jap GT300 · October 5, 2004, 10:19

What if you don't have a oil-water intercooler as with J-Spec cars? It would be better to install an oil cooler in those circumstances.

markiii · October 5, 2004, 10:21

In that situation I'sd fit the official kit that comes for teh U.

you know it will both fit and work then.

Tem · October 5, 2004, 10:27

Quote from: "SteveJ"oil-water intercooler on all european models. This is a unit sandwiched between the engine and the oil filter.

Not on all european models. I didn't believe it myself, but after seeing the pics of a greek car, it really doesn't have that s:? :? s:?

so.simple · October 6, 2004, 14:12

Just finished talking with the Toyota engineer on the phone, and it is confirmed... The portuguese MR2's also do not have the oil intercooler! How strange is that?

I always thought that it would be more necessary to have it on a hot climate, such as the portuguese and the greek. Any logic in this?

Anonymous · October 10, 2004, 19:49

My 2001 Italian MR2 has the oil intercooler. Also, I have an oil radiator and the temps are between 115 and 120 C when i run on the track and 100/110 if engine revs ten minutes from 4000 to 6500 on a hill or mountain.