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Water temperature sensor(which should come with the gauge of your choice) and a copper or alloy washer to make a seal, the copper washer in the picture is the one fitted to the brake hose pipes at the caliper between the brake hose and banjo bolt, it is a perfect size.
Note that this sensor has one connection which the wire from the gauge needs to run to, but it must be earthed, some have two wires on them, sensor wire and earth.
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MK1 1.6cc top radiator hose, put the adaptor on the hose and mark with something bright(you do not need to remove the hose to do this)
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MK1 1.8cc (MK2 are not far of the same) top radiator hose, put the adaptor on the hose and mark with something bright (you do not need to remove the hose to do this)
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Cut the section out that you have marked in the middle, making sure that you are not too close to the curve or the thermostat housing, otherwise you will not have enough room for the pipe clips, most kit adaptors will arrive with hose clips, and this can also be done in situ on the roadster, make sure the engine is cold and release the pressure first by undoing the radiator cap, and please watch those fingers if using a craft knife.
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Please note how the washers and nut go, this is important so it tightens down but does not earth out to the body of the adaptor
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Connections on the sensor and adaptor, red will be for the signal to the gauge and the blue will be the earth to the body of the car.
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Gauge in a MK2 attached to the drivers side pillar
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Adaptor and sensor fitted to a MK2 wired in and working
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Another gauge fitted to a MK2 drivers side pillar (colour and gauge is a personal choice)
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Sensor and adaptor fitted wired in and working on a MK1 1.6
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Water temperature gauge fitted to a MK1 under the single din head unit with a clock (MGF) and volt gauge.
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Sensor and adaptor fitted wired in and working on a MK1 1.8 cc
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Water temperature gauge fitted in a MK1 with a clock (MGF) and voltage gauge in a zoom pod
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These are the most common places to fit after market gauges, you can also fit one in an air vent, in the centre on the dash, on the side of the instrument cowl, in the crash rail basically anywhere you want to fit one wherever you are happy with it, MK2's are a little more limited, gauges are a personal choice when it comes to colours and read out, most common size is 52mm.
Once the adaptor and sensor are fitted, you will need to run two wires from it, one will be an earth straight to the body of the car. The other will need to be run into the cab to the gauge.
The easiest place to run this through the bulkhead is the wiring loom grommet under the fuse box. It helps if you undo the two 10mm bolts that hold the fuse box in place and lift to one side, then you'll be able to get to the grommet more easily.
Once in the cab all you will need to do is run the wire from the sensor to wherever you have fitted the gauge. You may find, depending on the gauge you have bought, that it needs an earth wire too from the gauge. The illumination wire will need to be tapped into a illumination in the cab, head unit loom is good, also the switches/blanks and hazard/pop up switch. There are plenty of places you'll find a live feed when the interior is lite up.
This is a very important modification for an MX5 as the OE water temp gauge is dampered and does not give you a true reading, if it should ever move from that middle spot.....PULL OVER QUICK, your engine is about to melt, and old faithful is going to shot out from under you bonnet.
This modification is not beyond most who can lift a screwdriver. However, if you lack the confidence, or need help, then ask us, that is what we are here for.
