Water Temp Sending Unit Question

[Juggernaut]

The water temp sending unit that came with my AutoMeter guages has a fitting that the sending unit screws into so it can be installed in the manifold.

After I installed the sending unit in the fitting, I noticed the the "probe" on the sending unit is flush with the bottom of the fitting that will be installed in the manifold.

Doesn't the probe itself have to extend beyond the fitting actually into the anti-freeze flow or will this work the way it is?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Randy

[wizard]

It should work the way it is. The water temp, manifold temp and any trapped air (a small amount possible, although I doubt it after water passes that point a few minutes ) temp at that point should all be very close. Heat will be passed through the housing to a thermocouple which reacts pretty quickly to give you a reasonably accurate reading.

[wtm442]

Randy
Ideally the probe should extend into the middle of the water passage for best accuracy. But the accuracy of the gauge is probably 5° and the accuracy of the sensor is probably about 2 to 5°, so the difference is minor. Also, there is less chance of damage when installing with the short sensor. So do not sweat the small stuff. Its OK.

[Juggernaut]

Wizard & Warren, thanks a lot guys for helping me out. It makes perfect sense what both of you are saying.

And Warren, you hit the nail on the head, I do have a habit of sweating the small stuff.

This forum is awesome!

Thanks again,
Randy