What Is a Pyrometer Gauge?
Posted on June 07 2021
What is a Pyrometer Gauge?
Your truck’s dashboard supplies you with a rich amount of information—how fast you're going, how much fuel you have left in the tank, and if there's something awry with the engine. But one thing it doesn't tell you is how hot your engine is running.
It might have a light that pops up and flickers incessantly if the engine is roasting, but that light won’t help you narrow down the culprit. There's a problem, but it's yours to figure out. Thankfully, pyrometer gauges are much more helpful in that regard.
What is a pyrometer gauge? What does it do? What are the benefits of installing one? If you're interested in learning more about how a pyrometer gauge can be a fantastic addition to your diesel truck, read on.
What's a Pyrometer Gauge?
A pyrometer gauge, also known as the exhaust gas temperature gauge, is an electronic temperature gauge that measures the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) of a vehicle. An EGT probe, which is normally placed in the exhaust manifold near the cylinder head, reads the temperatures of the gasses that are forced out from the engine during the exhaust stroke and then displays that information on the gauge.
The pyrometer gauge is a highly beneficial addition to diesel engines. This is especially the case for diesel engines that are turbocharged. High temperatures (considered anything above 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit) can seriously damage the engine—and quick. Without a pyrometer gauge to give you a heads up on abrupt changes in engine temperature, you're unlikely to discover the problem before it's too late.
The Benefits of Pyrometer Gauges
You understand what a pyrometer gauge is and what it does, but what are the benefits of installing one on your vehicle? There are plenty. For one, it keeps you up to date with any happenings in the engine.
The ability to monitor the temperature of exhaust fumes in detail can help you detect issues such as engine overloading and air intake blockage before they inflict serious damage. Because high temperatures can indicate an air/fuel ratio that's out of whack, pyrometers are also useful for detecting problems that could be putting your vehicle's performance and fuel economy at risk.
Pyrometers can also help extend the lifespan of your turbocharger. Turbochargers don't need to be cooled down before they're shut off, but it doesn’t hurt to cool them down anyway. In fact, it helps. Doing so improves mechanical durability and, when done regularly, can tack a few extra years on your turbo's life.
Cooling down a turbocharger is simple. Before you turn it off, let the temperature drop to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature of the turbocharger can only be determined with a pyrometer gauge, however, which makes it a must-have part for prolonging the life of turbocharged diesel engines.
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