Can a Water Temp Gauge Tell You Anything an Oil Temp Can't?

williaty · 03-10-2008, 03:58 PM

Yes, smartass, I realize an oil temp gauge won't tell me the temp of the water

Seriously though, I was going to put both water temp and oil temp into my car as a "when to start beating on it, when to stop" kind of display. Then I realized that it's only oil temp that I care about to track warmup.

So I guess my question boils down to is there a condition where the water temp is rising and I need to know that yet the engine oil temp isn't rising? Or is having a water temp and oil temp totally redundant?

On a totally different note, does anyone else think it's odd that the forum for gauges is the forum for tuning?

Bryants07STI · 03-11-2008, 07:20 AM

well if i could only pick one i would go with the water temp gauge....

It makes sense for the gauge and tunning to be together b/c they go hand in hand....

nonissan · 03-11-2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by williaty

Yes, smartass, I realize an oil temp gauge won't tell me the temp of the water

Seriously though, I was going to put both water temp and oil temp into my car as a "when to start beating on it, when to stop" kind of display. Then I realized that it's only oil temp that I care about to track warmup.

So I guess my question boils down to is there a condition where the water temp is rising and I need to know that yet the engine oil temp isn't rising? Or is having a water temp and oil temp totally redundant?

On a totally different note, does anyone else think it's odd that the forum for gauges is the forum for tuning?

as for when to start 'beating on it'... oil is probably better indicator. as for when to 'stop beating on it'.... they will both tell you different things. your water could be too hot while oil fine and vice versa..

btw, powell has 2 'l's.... how old are you, do you know jordan?

edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by williaty

On a totally different note, does anyone else think it's odd that the forum for gauges is the forum for tuning?

nope. gauges are a tuning tool... where else would they go?

jays05 · 03-11-2008, 07:40 AM

If I could only pick one I'd go with Oil Temp, especially since you already have a somewhat accurate water temp gauge on the dash.

chaos311clarity · 03-11-2008, 07:41 AM

water temp > oil temp.

that being said.

i have both.

nonissan · 03-11-2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jays05

If I could only pick one I'd go with Oil Temp, especially since you already have a somewhat accurate water temp gauge on the dash.

not sure how accurate our h2o gauges are...

are our stock coolant gauges ok?

williaty · 03-11-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonissan

btw, powell has 2 'l's.... how old are you, do you know jordan?

Fixed, 27, no.

WolfPlayer · 03-11-2008, 01:24 PM

Without a doubt - oil temperature. Why? You have no means AT ALL to measure oil temperature. So - put one in the car. Your car comes with a gauge on the dash that is a very good indicator as to the coolant temps. Furthermore, the ECU reports coolant temp. Thus, you can use the gauge on your dash and logging to get coolant temp. For oil temp you have nothing.

t

03-10-2008, 03:58 PM	#1
williaty STI Driver Car: RBP 05 2.5RS Wagon Fav Mod: Group N Lateral Link Bushings Location: Powell, OH Posts: 295 Join Date: May 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Can a Water Temp Gauge Tell You Anything an Oil Temp Can't? Yes, smartass, I realize an oil temp gauge won't tell me the temp of the water Seriously though, I was going to put both water temp and oil temp into my car as a "when to start beating on it, when to stop" kind of display. Then I realized that it's only oil temp that I care about to track warmup. So I guess my question boils down to is there a condition where the water temp is rising and I need to know that yet the engine oil temp isn't rising? Or is having a water temp and oil temp totally redundant? On a totally different note, does anyone else think it's odd that the forum for gauges is the forum for tuning? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-11-2008, 07:20 AM	#2
Bryants07STI Amateur STI Driver Posts: 15 Join Date: Jul 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Can a Water Temp Gauge Tell You Anything an Oil Temp Can't? well if i could only pick one i would go with the water temp gauge.... It makes sense for the gauge and tunning to be together b/c they go hand in hand....

03-11-2008, 07:40 AM	#4
jays05 Spec C Club Car: Blue 05 STI Fav Mod: Synapse FMIC Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,690 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Can a Water Temp Gauge Tell You Anything an Oil Temp Can't? If I could only pick one I'd go with Oil Temp, especially since you already have a somewhat accurate water temp gauge on the dash.

03-11-2008, 07:41 AM	#5
chaos311clarity STI Guru Car: 05 CGM STi Fav Mod: grip. Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 5,734 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Can a Water Temp Gauge Tell You Anything an Oil Temp Can't? water temp > oil temp. that being said. i have both.

03-11-2008, 01:24 PM	#8
WolfPlayer Moderator & ECU Tech Car: 05 CGM STI Fav Mod: mo boostaz Location: Fredneck, MD Posts: 3,698 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Can a Water Temp Gauge Tell You Anything an Oil Temp Can't? Without a doubt - oil temperature. Why? You have no means AT ALL to measure oil temperature. So - put one in the car. Your car comes with a gauge on the dash that is a very good indicator as to the coolant temps. Furthermore, the ECU reports coolant temp. Thus, you can use the gauge on your dash and logging to get coolant temp. For oil temp you have nothing. t This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.