M54 engine query please

[Pondrew]

I need to add some extra gauges to my M54 3 litre engine, notably an oil temp and oil pressure gauge. I have been advised (by the gauge manufacturer) that there should be 'tap in' points on the engine for these.
Does anybody know if this is correct and if so, where they are? I don't know if both gauges can operate from a common sender/ sensor TBH.

Thanks

[pvr]

Quick Google shows it on the back of the oil filter housing. Seems to be a lot of hits on the E46 with that engine

[Worcester_spoon]

Ooh, I wasn’t aware there an easy way to do this. Would love an oil temp gauge given I have a supercharger fitted.

Pondrew, what gauges are you looking at?

[Pondrew]

Pondrew, what gauges are you looking at?

ETB but they are bespoke ones not off-the-shelf. Copies of another brand but I can't say too much as it is a very 'cloak and dagger' world!

[Pondrew]

Well what do you know?!.....
The sensor for the oil pressure is present and plugged in to the head. I traced the wires back and there is an open ended connector tied up at the rear of the engine, just under the rocker cover. Happy days! Thank Paul (PVR) I didn't think to Google it.

Looks like the oil temp may be a bit more tricky, as it seems it needs to be taken from the sump. If need be I will swap my oil temp gauge for a voltmeter, that will be easy enough the wire.

[Zedebee]

Oil temperature (1) and pressure (2) sensors are located at the base of the oil filter housing.

IMG_0048.png (341.86 KiB) Viewed 378 times

[Pondrew]

Oil temperature (1) and pressure (2) sensors are located at the base of the oil filter housing.

I always liked you! Thanks.

It's not an E85, though, but don't think it will be any different.

Edit: mine is not like the picture, there is no (2).

[Zedebee]

Oil temperature (1) and pressure (2) sensors are located at the base of the oil filter housing.

I always liked you! Thanks.

It's not an E85, though, but don't think it will be any different.

Edit: mine is not like the picture, there is no (2).

Odd. The reference picture for E36 Z3 3.0i is identical, except for the qualification “Figure shows power steering pump supply tank removed.” (1) and (2) are both shown.

[Pondrew]

Odd. The reference picture for E36 Z3 3.0i is identical, except for the qualification “Figure shows power steering pump supply tank removed.” (1) and (2) are both shown.

Having had a another good look, I think number (2) may be under there. It's really hard to see as the power steering pipes from the reservoir are in the way.

[Zedebee]

The sensor you found at the back of the valve block is likely the pressure sensor for the SMG transmission, which is why it isn’t wired up in your car. NewTIS doesn’t have a picture for this unfortunately, but does have the following info:

Pressure sensor
The pressure sensor is fitted directly on the valve block.

Via the pressure sensor, the SMG control unit recognises whether the oil pressure in the accumulator is sufficient and when the hydraulic pump has to be activated and/or switched off.

In order to ensure that the gearshifts run without any problems under all operating conditions, a certain oil pressure must be present in the system.

Brief description of components
The oil-pressure sensor is supplied with power via the sensor-supply voltage (5 V) from the SMG control unit.

The measuring range of the oil-pressure sensor lies between 0-80 bar. The evaluation is in the range of 35-40 bar, 44-55 bar and approx. 80 bar. The system pressure is approx. 44-55 bar.

The prevailing oil pressure and its change is picked up by the oil-pressure sensor, converted into a voltage signal and transferred via the information cable to the SMG control unit.

[Pondrew]

My engine (and car) is a 2000 model, did they have SMG autos as an option back then?

Looks like I will have to ask someone who has done the additional gauges where they got the voltage senders from. Unless most are just fake gauges of course!

[patriot66]

I think we may be getting a little confused here. The SMG Hydraulic system (valve block, pump, fluid reservoir, accumulator) is completely self contained and independent of the engine and is mounted on the side of the gearbox itself. (Not my photo)

s-l1200.jpg (104.71 KiB) Viewed 252 times

The temp sensor at the rear of the cylinder head (4 in my photo below) is secondary coolant temp sensor (13621433076) along with the other on the bottom hose connection into the thermostat (13621433077 - not in photo)

20170417_154928.jpg (188.24 KiB) Viewed 252 times

1 is Oil temp sensor (13621433076), 2 is oil pressure switch (12618611273) and 3 is banjo bolt oil pipe feed to the VANOS. These are all in the oil filter housing casting itself. Note that the cylinder head coolant temp sensor 4 and oil temp sensor 1 are the same part number.
Also, you can purchase (from Demon Tweeks amongst others) oil temp sump plug adaptors. These are a sump plug with a threaded hole (various sizes) in the centre that will accept an oil temp sensor.

lma122_3.jpg (35.21 KiB) Viewed 252 times

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/lma-oil-te ... lsrc=aw.ds

[pvr]

The Z3 never had an SMG box though