Temp gauge sensor

[2Forty]

My water temp gauge doesn't work. Bought a new sensor and was wondering how to swap it out. Work it out with vise grips?

[FastWoman]

A socket won't work???? I generally consider vice grips a tool of last resort -- when the part is already mangled or chewed up.

Before you replace the water sensor, it might be good to test it with a multimeter. It's possible the problem is either in the wiring or the gauge itself.

Edited December 11, 2009 by FastWoman

[esprist]

My water temp gauge doesn't work. Bought a new sensor and was wondering how to swap it out. Work it out with vise grips?

It is a metric and please use teflon tape for the nut.

Esprist

[rjracin240]

Just to insure your the above answers are clear before you might make the mistake of working it out with vice grips!

The sensor is threaded into the thermostat housing therefore with an appropriate socket turn it to the left to loosen it, if it binds while coming out due to corrosion work it back and forth and try using some penetrant oil as needed. If you are past this point and you have the sensor out you might need to work the sensor out as the actual sensor is in a threaded sleeve. Take care with this in order not ruin the threaded sleeve.

Remeber patience and caution is required as you are dealing with soft metals and thin wall's for the housing

Edited December 11, 2009 by rjracin240

[Triple's]

Just to insure your the above answers are clear before you might make the mistake of working it out with vice grips!

The sensor is threaded into the thermostat housing therefore with an appropriate socket turn it to the left to loosen it, if it binds while coming out due to corrosion work it back and forth and try using some penetrant oil as needed. If you are past this point and you have the sensor out you might need to work the sensor out as the actual sensor is in a threaded sleeve. Take care with this in order not ruin the threaded sleeve.

Remeber patience and caution is required as you are dealing with soft metals and thin wall's for the housing

I agree, and test you gauge, you can ground it to check that the gauge is working properly.

[2Forty]

I got the threaded sleeve out but can't get the actual sensor out of the sleeve. Soaked it in PBlaster. Had the nut in a vise, careful not to damage the threads, and tapped on the top of the sensor with a hammer. No go.

[kjphilippona]

I had to replace the nut and sensor on my '77 280z.

[FastWoman]

I frankly didn't know it was mounted in a threaded sleeve. Odd construction.

I wonder if it can be drilled out with a drill press and a big bit. Drill to almost the complete diameter, and then curl the remaining shell of the sensor into the middle of the hole, away from the threaded insert.

Or you can drill a hole just large enough to accept a blade. Cut through the sensor material until juuuuust short of the sleeve. Then squeeze the sensor on one side of the cut to fold it into the hole.

[sblake01]

I got the threaded sleeve out but can't get the actual sensor out of the sleeve. Soaked it in PBlaster. Had the nut in a vise, careful not to damage the threads, and tapped on the top of the sensor with a hammer. No go.

I could send you a threaded sleeve if you can't get yours out. I've got a couple of spares. (I guess this would actually belong in the 'Pay it forward' theread) PM me if you need it.