Oil Pressure Sender Renault

[Benjy]

Ahoy All,

Today my oil gauge needle pinned itself to the right, I'm guessing the sender has decided it has had enough, it was leaking anyway. Shocked to see the price. Does anyone know if this is a special order part or was this sender used on some other car and if so what? Does anyone have a European source for a less expensive replacement?

Cheers

Benjy

[TurboFource]

The gauge on my TCS is mechanical so there is no sending unit, just a braided steel oil line. The early cars aren't the same?

[Benjy]

Renault engines have electrical oil sender...

[TurboFource]

Thanks Benjy, I didn't know that.

[My S1]

I just realized the same problem after having my gauge rebuilt and driving it for the first time.  The pressure would be pegged at 80 from start up to after a long run.  I just ordered one from from RD with the adaptor to go from US to metric thread.  Hopefully it clears the shift rod.

[Bryan Boyle]

You know...the TC range solved the problem with the electrical oil pressure sender by tossing it and putting in a mechanical sensor with a feed line (armored, OK?) to the gauge.  Easy peasy to install.  Did it on 444R and 693R (both S2) when both senders went tango uniform and never had an issue further.  If you're ambitious, you can also swap over the bezel from the old gauge to replace the angular bezel on the new mechanical gauge. 

You do have to plumb in an adapter at the engine side where the old sender was to attach the feed line.  It's a common part, and most are drilled into a galley plug that was already in the side of the Renault motor.

Something to think about, unless you're married to the electrical gauge.  Once migrated (and the bezel swapped), you would never know the difference, except not having to deal with the electrical sender.

My thoughts were captured in my renovation blog for 693R on my website for May 28, 2008.

[Benjy]

Ahoy Bryan
Thanks for the input. I appreciate the fact that the system you suggest is mechanical and there is a lot to be said for that but once upon a time, many years ago I had a similar system in a car and one day the hose broke at the back of the instrument and the mess was pretty bad. If I had this system in place I'd probably keep it but the easiest thing to do for me is to simply cough up and buy a new sensor. problem solved. It would be nice to know however, if any other sensors would work as the Smiths one is pricey!
Cheers
Benjy

[dakazman]

  I know your pain. I recently purchased a set of lucas gauges and senders off Ebay. I have not yet tested but for 60 bucks i got all the gauges with senders.
Dakazman

[Bryan Boyle]

Ahoy Bryan
Thanks for the input. I appreciate the fact that the system you suggest is mechanical and there is a lot to be said for that but once upon a time, many years ago I had a similar system in a car and one day the hose broke at the back of the instrument and the mess was pretty bad. If I had this system in place I'd probably keep it but the easiest thing to do for me is to simply cough up and buy a new sensor. problem solved. It would be nice to know however, if any other sensors would work as the Smiths one is pricey!
Cheers
Benjy

The sensors are matched to the gauge.  Just like the issue you're having with your speedo, both ends of the circuit, so to speak, have to be matched to each other. 
If you change the sensor to one that physically is close, but don't change the gauge to match the characteristics of the sender, you will have a false reading.

The original sender is NLA.  Your best source would be lotus-supplies or SJ.  You will have to bodge up an adapter to fit the threads, which will be different. 
https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ046E0003.htm


FWIW, I've never had a direct feed hose break, either on the ground or at 25,000'.  I know some who've had solid lines up to the gauge have issues, but don't know that the TC owners have reported a rash of pressure feed lines spraying oil all over the interior.  YMMV.