Forester + Watchdog TM2 temp sensor location.......

SKT

SKT

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Joined
Aug 16, 2008
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Brissy
I'm working through some cooling issues on my Foz with the H6 at the moment and have installed a Watchdog TM2 sensor with display and audible alarm. I've watched my ECT via laptop hooked up to the Vipec and am seeing a lot of difference between the actual ECT and the Watchdog's data. I know they are two totally different measurements but I should be able to atleast get a reasonable sort of match in fluctuations between the two readings.

Has anyone installed one of these and if so where abouts on the engine did you locate the sensor. Pics would be awsome......


Here's a link to the product incase you havnt seen it..... I have people tell me its a great piece of kit just need to get the sensor where it can work correctly.

https://www.sig.itel.net/
 
I've got one but it doesn't work very well (perhaps that's because it's still in the wardrobe waiting to be fitted!).

Where did you fit the sensor; I was thinking to connect at the thermostat housing.

Remind me, are you auto or manual?
 
I've found a blank threaded hole top of the engine block. I think its getting a lot of ambient temp up there. Thermo sounds good. I think I'll move it.

I'm manual.
 
SKT said:
I'm manual.
Click to expand...

Thought so - otherwise I was going to mention to disconnect the tranny fluid flow from the radiator and add a big tranny cooler option.
 
Hi SKT,
I have one on my 2005 auto Forester. The display fits perfectly under the switch panel and I fitted the sensor under a bolt on the R/H rear cylinder head. I usually see temps in the low 80's but have had it up to mid 90's when driving in soft sand on the beach in summer.

IMG_3040.JPG
 
Pecky said:
Hi SKT,
I have one on my 2005 auto Forester. The display fits perfectly under the switch panel and I fitted the sensor under a bolt on the R/H rear cylinder head. I usually see temps in the low 80's but have had it up to mid 90's when driving in soft sand on the beach in summer.

View attachment 639
Click to expand...

Looks good mate. Good healthy temps too. Mine lives in the glovebox ext to the ECU. Having an audible alarm means it can be anywhere really hey.
 
Pecky said:
Hi SKT,
......I fitted the sensor under a bolt on the R/H rear cylinder head. ......
Click to expand...

Is there any chance you could show a pic of where you've have the sensor fitted please?

I moved mine to one of the thermostat bolts. Did just a quick trip around the block and the temps it was showing were pretty low at first compared to the ECU software via laptop. The TM2 started to creap up so I'm hoping with a few kms the actual thermostat will heat up after water flow and get the TM2 into an accurate zone. As long as its acurate at operating/high temps then all good. An accurate reading throught the complete temp zone would be nicer though.

I just undid a thermostat bolt and put it between the bolt and the thermostat housing. I am wondering do I need to get it between the termostat housing and the engine block to get more heta transferance sooner.
 
Pecky said:
Hi SKT,
I have one on my 2005 auto Forester. The display fits perfectly under the switch panel and I fitted the sensor under a bolt on the R/H rear cylinder head. I usually see temps in the low 80's but have had it up to mid 90's when driving in soft sand on the beach in summer.

View attachment 639
Click to expand...
I am so jealous of the 05 Forester (and Gen 3 Outbacks) when it comes to options for additional switches / gauges / after market 'double DIN' radios, video screen displays, etc. All those 'blank' switches, Attachment 639 *sigh* ... and the temp monitor looks like OEM, even down to the colour.
 
Hi SKT,

Sorry its buried so deep in there I can't even find it now to take a photo. I'm pretty sure its on a blank hole or wiring loom support bolt below the R/H rear intake manifold. I certianly didn't take any important bolts out to fit it, but I probably had to remove the plastic intake tube from the filter for access.

Barry,
Yes the engine Watchdog fitted in nicely with just a little gap either end however it did require a bit of cutting away behind the dash to make it fit
I agree with you about the easily modified dash layout on the 05 Forester. My new 2010 diesel is all nice and curvy on the dash which makes it a pain to ty and find somewhere to mount things.
 
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Kevin said:
.....I was thinking to connect at the thermostat housing....
Click to expand...

I wish you would mount yours. I am having trouble finding a suitable and accurate mounting postion...... Tried different spots including near top centre of engine block, thermostat bolt, head bolt..... and now injector rail mounting bolt......

Nohing really gives an accurate display of temps.....
 
Wherever you mount it you will get some variation in temps but it doesn't really matter as long as you know what your car usually runs at and set the warning accordingly.
So pick somewhere convenient and leave itt here.
 
Pecky said:
Wherever you mount it you will get some variation in temps but it doesn't really matter as long as you know what your car usually runs at and set the warning accordingly.
So pick somewhere convenient and leave itt here.
Click to expand...

Yeah thats what I've done. On a thermostat bolt. It sits at about 20 C below actual ECT up until the ECT pushes past 92-93 C, whihc is rare. Then it starts to close the gap. At a ECT of 100 C the Watchdog reads 95 and sits at about 5 difference as it climbs higher. I did some hooning tests plus I sat with the car at about 3,500rpm for a minute or so to get some heat in there. Quite pleased. Aslong as it works at the pointy end.

As you said I just want a variation and then I am after a peak that is worthy of noting. I am still unable to find any technical info online regarding a operation temp range for this motor. I have posted like a wh0r3 on Subaru forums aroudn the globe including a bunch of Outback forums.

I've got another beach drive comin for the final test so I guess that'll sort it out.
 
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What temperature does the ECU switch on the thermos? Considering its the fans job to maintain the engine within operational range it seems to me like that would be an excellent point to start at. How much you add to that point as a safe limit i'm not sure, but obviously your testing will determine that.
 
Venom said:
What temperature does the ECU switch on the thermos? Considering its the fans job to maintain the engine within operational range it seems to me like that would be an excellent point to start at. How much you add to that point as a safe limit i'm not sure, but obviously your testing will determine that.
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The ECU is set for fan on at 80 C with a 3 C window. I have not watched this as closely as I should but think that temp is a little low. The fans do spin up regularly.
 
Neat gauge, but limited for that price.
Could be used for monitoring transmission temp or turbo bearing?
 
^ Should work - just figure out what's normal and at what temp above "normal" you want the alarm to trigger.
 
SKT said:
I wish you would mount yours. I am having trouble finding a suitable and accurate mounting postion...... Tried different spots including near top centre of engine block, thermostat bolt, head bolt..... and now injector rail mounting bolt......

Nohing really gives an accurate display of temps.....
Click to expand...

Originally missed this post...

Still have not fitted mine - and - do I fit it to the Triton or Foz, or buy another one for the wardrobe! :lol:
 
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