VDO (CONTINENTAL) FLUID PRESSURE SENDERS -

IDENTIFYING YOUR TYPE OF SENDER FOR REPLACEMENT

The VDO oil pressure senders are not just used in race cars but have a wide range of applications. There is often a need to replace a sender, highlighted during a service. However, it's not always easy to know which particular version of the sender is required. This article will help you to understand what’s needed.

These pressure senders are used in many applications along with a Continental (VDO) gauge. Not just for race cars and off-road vehicles but also in many items of plant. The use on plant is very extensive, for example generators, compressors, cranes and anything with an engine where the Continental Pressure gauge is used. Also, a further low volume use is on owner produced light aircraft.

The sender could be one of 3 types.

1. Standard ground:

The sender case is earthed.

2. Insulated ground:

There is a separate terminal for the earth and the body is not used as an earth.

3. Standard ground with a warning contact.

Merlin stock a large range of threads available including the commonly used 1/8NPT and M10x1.

See all VDO senders and accessories here - VDO SENDERS & ACCESSORIES  

See all VDO gauges here - VDO GAUGES

Please contact us if you need any help selecting the right one for your specific application.

* Also note, as part of choosing the right sender it is essential to make sure it has the right connecting thread. We can also help with adaptors if required.

IDENTIFYING YOUR VDO OIL PRESSURE SENDER

Often the need for a replacement oil pressure sender is identified during a service, but it's not always easy to know which particular version of the sender is required. To help with identification the sender numbers are stamped on 3 of the 6 sides of the hexagonal thread insert. See photos below.

1. The abbreviated 'Part number'

This is usually shown as XX/XX. The one in the photo below is marked 29/4 - the full part number being 360081029004.

2. The senders 'function'

Shown on the photo below - shown as 0-5 Bar.

3. The 'date of manufacture'

This is shown on the photo below as 7.24

REDUCING THE RISK OF FAILURE

The failure of the sender is usually caused by excessive vibration.
To reduce the risk, it is possible for the sender to be remotely mounted and connected with a Goodridge 600-03 braided hose. We can do this for you.

The way this is done is to fit a Goodridge adaptor to the engine. One thread on the adaptor will be the same as that on the sender: the other end will be a standard -03 (3/8UNF) thread. We can make a hose with a female -03 thread to fit on the adaptor and on the other end of the hose we can fit a union with a female thread to suit the sender. The hose can be made in a length to suit the application.

Unfortunately, Goodridge do not make female unions in all the sizes of thread on the VDO sensors so best to check with us first.