Fitting a 300Tdi exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge

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Fitting an EGT gauge to my 300Tdi has allowed me to watch how it reacts to what I tell it do with my right foot. The exhaust gas temperature is direct result of the amount of fuel and boost the cylinders receive. I haven't messed around with the either of these, but I was interested in having it for the purposes of monitoring the engine. On the longest UK motorways hills the temperatures will rise over 500 degrees celcius whereas cruising on the flat will see temperatures of 300 degrees.

I used a K-type thermocouple with a 1/8NPT thread that I fitted to an EGR blanking plate. The sensor needed to be bent slightly so that it would remain "hanging" in the exhaust gas without touching the manifold and giving incorrect readings. I have it wired to a battery powered K-type reader. I didn't want to add a specific gauge as I don't want to litter the cabin with them. This one sits in the dashboard and I glance at it when i'm interested. In future I would like to integrate it more permanently into the vehicle.