Temp Sender, for VW Oil Pressure Relief 300 Degrees 18mm-1.5

OVERVIEW

Monitoring your engine''s oil temperature is arguably the most critical task for any air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast. Unlike water-cooled vehicles that rely on a radiator and coolant to dissipate heat, your VW engine uses oil as its primary lifeblood to move heat away from internal components. This VDO Temperature Sender is designed specifically to replace the oil pressure relief plug on the bottom of your engine case, providing a direct and accurate reading of the oil temperature as it circulates through the system. By installing this high-precision sender, you are giving yourself a window into the health of your engine, allowing you to catch overheating issues before they lead to warped heads, blown seals, or catastrophic internal failure. It''s not just a part; it''s an insurance policy for your air-cooled investment.

Crafted by VDO, the industry leader in automotive instrumentation, this sender is engineered for durability and precision. The M18 x 1.5 thread pitch is a perfect match for the factory pressure relief bore on Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 engine cases, ensuring a leak-free fit without the need for messy drilling or tapping of your vintage magnesium or aluminum case. Designed to operate within a range of up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, this sender is perfectly calibrated to work with VDO Cockpit, Cockpit White, and Royale series gauges. Whether you are trekking across the desert in a Westfalia or pushing the limits in a high-performance street Beetle, the reliability of a genuine VDO sender ensures that the data you see on your dashboard is data you can trust. Don''t settle for "close enough" when it comes to your engine''s thermal managementchoose the component that professional builders have relied on for decades.

FITMENT

This VDO temperature sender is designed for Volkswagen air-cooled engine cases utilizing the M18 x 1.5 oil pressure relief plug location. This includes, but is not limited to, the following models:

• Volkswagen Type 1: Beetle and Super Beetle (1950-1979)
• Volkswagen Type 2: Bus, Transporter, Kombi, and Campmobile (1950-1971 with Type 1 style engine cases)
• Volkswagen Type 3: Fastback, Squareback, and Notchback (1961-1973)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: (1955-1974)
• Volkswagen Type 181: Thing (1973-1975)
• Custom Applications: Any aftermarket VW engine case (AS41, AS21) featuring the standard M18 x 1.5 relief valve threading.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: VDO
• Part Number: V3-2306-4
• Thread Size: M18 x 1.5
• Temperature Range: 0 to 300 Degrees Fahrenheit (150 Degrees Celsius)
• Terminal Type: Single Pole Spade Terminal (Grounding through the engine case)
• Material: High-conductivity brass housing with steel threaded base
• Compatibility: Calibrated for VDO 300-degree temperature gauges (Cockpit, Cockpit White, Royale, etc.)
• Application Location: Engine Oil Pressure Relief Plug / Sump
• Operating Voltage: 6V - 24V DC systems

PRO TIPS

1. Ensure a Proper Ground and Seal

Since this is a single-terminal sender, it relies on the engine case for its electrical ground. When installing, avoid using excessive amounts of Teflon tape or thick thread sealant, as these can act as insulators and prevent the sender from grounding properly, leading to erratic or non-functional gauge readings. Instead, use a fresh copper or aluminum crush washer to ensure a liquid-tight seal. If you must use a sealant, a very small amount of conductive liquid thread sealer applied to the upper threads is preferred over tape. Always torque the sender carefully; while the threads are robust, you are threading into a soft magnesium or aluminum case that can be easily stripped if you over-tighten it.

2. Match the Gauge to the Sender

It is absolutely vital that you match this 300-degree sender with a corresponding 300-degree VDO gauge. Temperature senders operate on specific resistance curves (Ohms), and using a 300-degree sender with a 250-degree gauge will result in highly inaccurate readings that could lead you to believe your engine is running cooler than it actually is. Before completing your installation, verify that your VDO gauge face specifically displays a 300-degree maximum. This ensures the internal needle sweep correctly translates the electrical signal from the sender into an accurate temperature reading on your dash.

3. Protect Your Wiring Path

Because the oil pressure relief plug is located on the bottom of the engine, the wiring for this sender is exposed to the elements and road debris. We highly recommend using a high-temperature wire loom or heat-shrink tubing to protect the signal wire as it travels from the sender up toward the firewall. Route the wire away from the exhaust system and moving parts like the heater box cables or the throttle linkage. Use a high-quality insulated female spade connector at the sender end and ensure it fits tightly; a loose connection at the sender is the most common cause of "flickering" needles or intermittent gauge failure during spirited driving.