Posted by David Sherman on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 at 13:01:12 :
In Reply to: Autogauge by AutoMeter WARNING! posted by JimmieD on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 at 11:04:40 :
That's why on military vehicles, the oil pressure and water temperature gages are always electrically-operated, even if they're less accurate than direct mechanical types. It's too risky to have hot oil or coolant spewing around inside the cab if a tube gets cut or shot. Of course a metal tube covered with coiled wire is a lot sturdier than a piece 1/8" poly tubing. Not only is it dangerous to the occupants but it could also disable the engine. That's also something to think about if you think of adding a fuel pressure gage. I've put direct-connection turbo boost gages with 1/8" poly tubing in my M35s, but I don't think any harm could come if it broke or got cut since only slightly-pressurized plain manifold air (no fuel mix in a diesel) would come out of the tube and the engine would run fine with that tiny leak.
If that AutoMeter set is the same 3-gage set that they sell at lots of discount places for $10, agree that it's pretty cheesey, but you get what you pay for. I've installed them on my dozer and backhoe, since the stock gages were long-since broken, and they're definitely better than nothing. They're also fine for test-running an engine on a stand. I would not use them as permanent gages in a decent vehicle.
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