Hi,

I am interested in being able to know my exhaust gas and oil temperatures. Why? no reason, just general interest.

Has anyone set up either of these on a 617 engine? If so, how?

Thanks,

JMH

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

I'd contest the value of an oil temperature gauge, I have an EGT on my talon but not on the benz. It is normally drilled and tapped into the first cylinder a few inches from the head I believe, I'm sure somebody around here has some good knowledge to share with you about it. But I'd say get a boost gauge and EGT gauge rather than EGT and oil temp.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

EGT gauge with probe installed pre-turbo. Generally anywhere in the exhaust manifold is fine but a few inches from the turbo inlet/mounting flange would be best. EGT limit should be 1250*F pre-turbo. This is a conservative and generally accepted limit, as long as you don't exceed it (very brief spikes are okay) the engine will be fine. You don't need an oil temp gauge unless you like gauges..... Boost gauge would be a better idea. RT

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I have found an oil temp gauge very informative over the years. I hate not haveing one in the 300D, and will probibly install one eventually.

A thing you notice with an oil temp gauge, is that it takes a LONG time for oil to reach operating temp. You can easily look at the coolant temp gauge and say to yourself "well it's plenty warm to drive normaly" when in reality the oil temp is still quite low, something I think that's worth noteing. In addition, prolonged highway running under high boost and especialy in harsh, hot weather will often creep oil temp up a good bit and is not evidant on a coolant gauge, there have been times I've seen oil temp in excess of 250 degrees F, which is a little much for my taste. You'd never know that with just the coolant temp gauge, and it's debatable weather you'd see it with an EGT, I kind of doubt it.

It's far from necesary, but I think an oil temp gauge is definantly worth haveing, and practicaly mandatory is your consistantly driving a turbodiesel(or any turbo vehicle really) hard. Another under-valued item is a trans temp gauge, heat is a serious killer of slushboxes, and you really ought to know what there doing.

My experience..

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1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K