Goofy Autometer EGT Probe Mount

[psilosin]

I have an Autometer EGT gauge thats been waiting to get installed into my Surf but I think I will put it into the L400 instead in the tilt-o-meter pod location (and get one of the Auber digital units for the unused DIN panel in the Surf instead).

Unlike the last EGT gauge I had from Autometer that had a one piece fixed length probe, this one is a two piece design and seems really lame. The probe is held into an 1/8 NPT collar and the depth is fixed via a set screw. It is not a tight fit and I can easily blow air right through it. Unless the collar or probe expands almost instantly under a bit of heat I cannot see how I will not have a constant exhaust leak with this setup.

Anyone else used this setup? Noticable leak? I found a couple pics on the www of the two-piece probe from someone asking the same question...but he/she never got an answer so I'll use his pics and try here.

I'm thinking of using some high temp gasket goop or JBweld in teh collar to seal it up but those products are apparently only good up to around 600oF so not sure if that stuff would just melt and be a FAIL.

[jessef]

You can buy the proper fiting kit. Comes with bung, collar and compression sleeve.

The set screw collar fitting kit you have is not for our application :)

[psilosin]

The set screw collar fitting kit you have is not for our application :)

The instruction do show this collar to be used for installing into the exhaust manifold into an existing or user drilled/tapped 1/8NPT port. It also included another clamp type collar with a tapered end that is used when attaching direct to an exhaust pipe. It would also have the same loose fit issue. A pic of the two collars from the instruction manual is attached.

The Installation Manual PDF

I did find a couple posts on a Subaru WRX site that people using them on the exhaust manifold of their subies do not notice any leaks...so it must expand rapidly and seal up... Seems flakey. If I can find a compression fitting locally I might just get that instead...but I never find anything locally and it seems like all autopart websales are $5 part $50 shipping so hopefully this stupid included fitting just works.

[psilosin]

Did some more digging in case anyone else buys one of these newer Autometer EGT gauges.

Just talked to the tech over at AutoMeter and he said that the pyro probe is held in the fitting with the little set screw. I told him that it does seem to set/seal the brass fitting and if you hold it up to a light, you can see light come through it....meaning exhaust gas can ALSO come through there giving you a slight exhaust leak.

He agread and said, "Ya, you might get a little leak but it not that much. We've been using that setup for years."

Lame! Going to hit up RONA on the way home and see what they have that might work.

[jessef]

Read my previous post

There are three types or fitting kits for the autometer probe

1. Collar strap over/around the exhaust
2. Collar with set screw
3. Collar with compression sleeve

You want number 3.

If your pyro didn't come with those bits, you can buy the kit separately although I haven't seen an autometer pyro that does not come with the compression fittings. All the kits I have used come with both collars, compression and set screw.

If you can't get it locally, you can go to a hydraulic fitting store to get the 3/16 in. compression to 1/8 in. NPT connector fitting and mating weld fitting.


The part number is 5255

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... ier=131705

[lrp374]

Hi :
I have mine installed using Jessie's #3. I'll be in Penticton for part of tomorrow and Friday if you want to look @ mine.
I have a few pictures if you want them as well.

Larry

[psilosin]

Don't worry Jesse I did read your posts and I get that the compression fitting (3) is the vastly superior fitting. That is what all my other installs have used.

But you are incorrect in your comment though (rare! ) and you need to read my post lol. While the included mount (2) is crappy (and thats why I was asking if anyone has used it and if it sucks as much as it looks like it does) it is not the incorrect mount for the intended purpose. (2) has replaced (3) in newer kits and is their official solution to egt probe mounting to a NPT threaded port. (2)&(3) both have the same installation target and are 'either or' not for one type of install vs another. Older kits came with (3) [win], newer kits have (2) [fail], all kits still have (1). (3) is much superior to (2) but they both have the same purpose not differing purposes. Your suggestion to purchase (3) is a good suggestion obviously because (2) is ghetto but according to Autometer it is not a requirement as (2) is meant for the same usage. Ripley's believe it or not.

I have never had an Autometer EGT kit that included (1), (2) and (3). (2) and (3) are competing for the same 1/8NPT install location and I cannot think of any reason why someone would choose (2) that leaks over (3) that is sealed in any situation given the choice if both were included. I cannot imagine why they ever would be both included and I do not believe they ever were. The other Autometer EGT gauges I have had in the past included (1) and (3) and a weld on threaded bung (3b), no (2) ever. Thats why I was disapointed with (2) in my new kit. (1) has always and still consisted of a non-threaded set screw collar and a ring clamp acting together. I think you are getting the (2) included in the new kits mixed up with something else.

According to Autometer, the NPT threaded set screw collar (2) is not the wrong collar as suggested...it is simply a crappier and cheaper replacement to (3) in newer kits. In their newer kits they only supply (1) and (2) both of which are setscrew collars, (2) is threaded and (1) is tapered for compression with the ring clamp. Fitting type (1) and (2) will both have a small leak, since (1) is used typically after the turbo on exhaust pipe that leak isn't as big of deal as it is on the exhaust manifold with (2). Cost cutting at the expense of quality.

The compression fitting kit (3) that you can still buy seperately would now be considered an upgrade to (2). Its like including RCA cables with your PS3 and selling the high-def HDMI as an extra expense upgrade...since the PS3 is pretty much useless without the HDMI they know you will buy them.

My original question was will this goofy included fitting (2) have a leak when used as instructed...the answer is yes (found on Subaru forums and Autometer support). However it sounds like people using (2) as the install method into their exhaust manifold do not seem to think the slight leak is a big issue. It seems pretty lame to me and I will be hunting around town for the suitable piece for a (3) installation like all my previous installations have used and like Jesse and lrp374 have also mentioned as superior.

If I didn't already have the gauge in hand I would just buy the Auber units RichD was selling. They look slicker and are cheaper. My Autometer EGT gauges seem to only last a couple years...hope this one lasts longer...

Off to RONA...

[Jensen]

WOAH, that looks hokey??? Is that from the actual Autometer website? "steel band clamp method!?!?!?!" I've never seen that before, that just screams "I'm going to blow out and shoot exhaust gas out and light your engine bay on fire". If your probe (J type thermocouple) came with a crappy plug like that one (which almost looks like someone just drilled out a Princess Auto NPT plug and put a set screw in it by the way...) contact Columbia Valve and Fitting in Burnaby, they're a Swagelok distributor and they make beautiful stainless NPT thermocouple bungs, that we used to use at Cummins for engine dyno work. (they look the same as the ones in Jfarsang's post). They are adjustable in height and it's impossible for them to leak or screw up.

[jessef]

I stopped into mopac and their autometer pyro's come with the set screw collar and the compression sleeve collar with a weld in bung.

Not sure what autometer is doing. Seems like there are more than one kit out there with different mounting options.

I wouldn't use the clamp/set screw method for two reasons. It will be located down the exhaust pipe (less accurate) and possibility of leaks.

Lordco and the like parts store can get that fitting kit in.

I had to buy one of those kits because I lost the compression fitting

[psilosin]

Thanks for the leads guys. RONA was a fail. I always forget about Lordco so I'll check them out tomorrow, otherwise I'll look into the swagelock.

[psilosin]

Final update I promise...

Ebay saves the day...I have a 10 pack of Swagelok SS-300-1-2 stainless steel connectors on its way. So...I'll have 9 spares if anyone is looking. :P

[psilosin]

I lied...another update. Thought I would update in case anyone else was following this thread and ends up ordering the same swagelock adapters.

The Swagelok ss-300-1-2 1/8NPT -> 3/16 Comp adpaters showed up om Thursday. Since I am not Hannibal from the A-Team nothing ever quite goes according to plan...the NPT end of the adapter only had a 1/8 diamter hole so that needed to be drilled out to 3/16th (or 13/64th) for the EGT probe to fit.

No big deal but stainless steel can be a real bastard to drill (Having a drill press and a high quality drill bits is key. It is also much easier to step up the diameter than trying to drill out the final size right off the bat.) Alas my good bits were dull so I had to use whatever crappy drill bits I had and hope for the best. This is where the Canadian Tire 1000 drill bit packs for $4.99 really shows why they are so cheap...because they are comically useless on anything but softwood. One set was so soft the drill bit actually started to unspiral when it had a momentary bind. Long story short...an hour and 6-7 drill bits in the garbage later...job done.

Now I am finally ready to install the damn gauge...