Dipstick Temp Gauge, Where to find one Options

[Aualexa1]

I’ve got a ‘73 1.7 L and recently picked up a Mainley oil temp dip stick. Is it supposed to fit snugly when inserted? Unlike my originally dip stick, it seems to just sit in the tube and can be removed without any resistance.

[Craigers17]

I’ve got a ‘73 1.7 L and recently picked up a Mainley oil temp dip stick. Is it supposed to fit snugly when inserted? Unlike my originally dip stick, it seems to just sit in the tube and can be removed without any resistance.

Can you let us know where you purchased yours from and if they have any left. I purchased a Mainely unit about 2 months ago from Precision Matters, and the owner said it was his last one. Unfortunately, upon the first insertion, when I pulled it straight out(no twisting, etc. the rubber grommet came loose. I could have super glued it and made it work, but in addition the needle was all over the place and was definitely not functioning correctly.

Long story short, I sent it back, and Precision Matters fully refunded my money. I would love to find another one just to verify the temps that my gauge is showing.

[Aualexa1]

I picked mine up from the classifieds. Did yours fit securely or was it just resting in the tube? I guess my question is: Is the rubber grommet supposed to help hold it in place and seal the tube?

Edit: answering my own question. I took the rubber grommet off the dip stick and was able to snap the grommet onto the tube that the dip stick fits in. The Mainley dip stick then slides in through the grommet. It still not held in super tight, but is much more secure.

[Craigers17]

I picked mine up from the classifieds. Did yours fit securely or was it just resting in the tube? I guess my question is: Is the rubber grommet supposed to help hold it in place and seal the tube?

I will defer to those who have used theirs successfully, but, like you, it seemed to just rest on top of the tube. I figured that the grommet was supposed to be pushed into the tube at least slightly(EDIT...as you stated, it might have slipped around the tube.) to create the seal. In my case that seemed to work, but when I tried to pull it out, that's when the grommet came loose. In the instructions, it says specifically to NOT twist it, which I did not, but even so, it separated. As I stated earlier, that wasn't the deal breaker...I could have glued it back in place, but mine simply was not functioning correctly.

[jim_hoyland]

I was hoping 914 Rubber would make these; a critical mass for a group buy seems very probable...Just need a bigger dial than the original Mainely models
@Mikey914

[porschetub]

This is for my 3.0 so I need something that will go in the tank.

Not sure if that will work in a six Billy,why not just install a sender on your engine for that gauge ?

[PanelBilly]

Have a gauge but it doesn't have numbers on it. I did buy a thermometer off amazon that had a long insulated wire. I fished it down into the tank and got an idea of the temperature so I have some reference for the dash gauge.

[Mikey914]

I initially did some research on this and a lot of the easily modified materials that were quite reasonable in cost were of poor quality. The plastic on the gage got brittle with temperature cycles, some were poor at giving an accurate measurement with consistent results.
I’m willing to look into making these further, but it may require me to commit to a large quantity to make cost effective, I did have an idea for an improvement that could be made That could be cool.

I’ll post up if I can make it work.
Mark

[Frankvw]

a dipstick temp device was for the type1 (beetle) engines sold by GeneBerg for a long time till they stopped selling it. I think it was build for them by a company that took over the sales themselves after that and they also developed a type4 engine version. It is not a gauge. It replaces the dipstick with another dipstick with sensor that closes at a certain temp and it uses one of the lights in the dash (on beetles and busses the oilpressure light) to warn you.
I can use it on my Beetle, but also on my VW T2b Bus type4 2.0 liter, and use the oilpressure light in the dash for warning me. Downside: you cannot measure your oillevel anymore...you need to put your original dipstick in the glovebox in case you need it......
Another downside is that it warns at a certain temp and without the reached alert you have no clue about the temp, but what a gauge would tell you....
Just wanted to show it.....not promote it as the solution.

[jim_hoyland]

I initially did some research on this and a lot of the easily modified materials that were quite reasonable in cost were of poor quality. The plastic on the gage got brittle with temperature cycles, some were poor at giving an accurate measurement with consistent results.
I’m willing to look into making these further, but it may require me to commit to a large quantity to make cost effective, I did have an idea for an improvement that could be made That could be cool.

I’ll post up if I can make it work.
Mark

One nice feature of the Mainly-by-Design thermometer is that it's adjustable, so it can be calibrated in boiling water.
As stated above, it's primary shortcoming is it's small face size. The dial face need to be larger like the pic posted above.
Hope this works out; I know I need a replacement.
@Mikey914

[IronHillRestorations]

This is for my 3.0 so I need something that will go in the tank.

You should have a sender on the front of the engine. It's got a round button type connector.

As someone else said, a dipstick gauge isn't going to work on a dry sump engine

[GregAmy]

I'd be interested in a replacement. I managed to crack the glass on mine...

[jim_hoyland]

I'd be interested in a replacement. I managed to crack the glass on mine...

Me to... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[djotron]

@Mikey914 - Following up to see if there is any update regarding the dipstick temp gauge.

[Mikey914]

Yes, Just haven't been able to do much over the holidays. I'll post up shortly,
Mark

[second wind]

Yes, Just haven't been able to do much over the holidays. I'll post up shortly,
Mark

Happy New Year Mark and everyone at 914 Rubber....the 914 Superstore!! Make it and they will come....how about a glass window and just an overall precision part? Would be really fun to have....maybe have the temp gauge off to the side so it doesn't get pulled on? Probably several ways to design this thing....you are the guru....go for it! Thank you and if all of the bugs are worked out I will buy one....
all the best in 2023,
gg