Techno Duck

I for one would want to know the oil temp supplying the engine rather than the temp of oil returning from arguably the hottest part of the engine. As mentioned i dont see how this is helpful.. high temp for the oil supply to the engine is a better and more accurate warning indicator.

reno808

once again its a warning. at least it gives you enough time to react and cool the oil down. its there to prevent.

Van

Can you tell us a little bit about what happens to oil at high temps? I've heard, but don't know how accurate it is, things like, "Oil starts to break down over 260 degrees."

Is that true? If it is, is it just the high temperature that's harmful, or does it have to be the high temp with a certain amount of shearing load? E.g. if the oil return from the turbo has the potential of damaging the oil, then, yes, you'd want to read that temp. But, if it's the high shear load from the pistons on the cylinder walls, in conjunction with heat, that are really the damaging factor, then the oil pan should be the place to read temps.

The only reason I think you'd want to read inlet oil temp (via an oil filter sandwich plate) would be to compare it with the sump temp to see how efficient the oil cooler is.