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Topic: I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor) (Read 1233 times) previous topic - next topic

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

This is a general how to type of question. My coolant temp sensor on my van is stripped. Apparently somebody got happy with the impact wrench or something. It controls my fan so I kinda need it and I have the replacement already. I can get an adjustable wrench to hold. Can't get my lil cheapy locking vise grip wrench thingy to hold either.  Should I look into a quality vise grip?

HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

Reply #1 –
What about the correct size socket?If you can get a wrench to it you should be able to put a socket on it.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

Reply #2 –
I'd try a pipe wrench. It'll hold better than any vise grip will...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

Reply #3 –
knipix cobra pliers
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1974 maverick lsx powered turbo car SOLD
1973 maverick Tijuana Taxi Tribute
1957 chevy LSX Turbo project (race car)
Owner of Joe Dirt Fabrication

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

Reply #4 –
Vise grips still not working. I soaked it overnight in WD-40 and still won't move. I get a decent amount of grip with the vise grip though. Will try the pipe wrench when I go to the puppies shop and haggle with them. A 1 1/16 socket fits on my replacement sensor but of course does nothing with the stripped one. I will try to file down some flat surfaces to see if maybe I can get a 1" on it.

I will also ask around for the Cobra Knipix pliers.

As you can see, I am willing to try anything. This thing controls my radiator fan and without it, overheating at a stop light is almost guaranteed. I just replaced the radiator so it cools the best it can. I am also thinking of using Water Wetter to keep the coolant a little cooler. What ya think?

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

Reply #5 –
I read a few years ago in MM&FF after they did some testing that water wetter doesn't work. If you fix the ECT problem you should be OK anyway
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

Reply #6 –
Hopefully I can get this bugger off.

pic of stripped ECT

Reply #7 –
Here you can see the tight space I have to work with and the condition of the sensor (after cranking on it with a vise grip).

And if you notice at the top of the water box there is a plug. I let that sit overnight with WD-40 and it too will not come off. 20 years of sitting in the same spot is soooooo not good for these bolts.

There is evidence of thread locker on the plug and the ECT. Could this be adding to my frustration?

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

Reply #8 –
The "Thread Locker" is more likely a thread sealant. Why are you trying to remove the plug?
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

I love my van (aside from the stripped coolant temp sensor)

Reply #9 –
Well back when this was going to be a "5 minute job" i was going to pull the plug and drop the water level in the box so that when I removed the ECT it wouldn't spill everywhere.

When that idea didn't work and this has now been a 15 hour job, I pulled the CCEGR out of the water box to get clearance to work on getting the  child out with my vise grip. I put a rag down to catch the water and I am 3 hours short of hard wiring a switch for my fan to the dash. (I really don't wanna do that)
 

There Is Hope After All For The Van

Reply #10 –
I just thought that maybe I should leave the old sensor in there. I can relocate the new sensor to the top of the water box if I can ever get the plug out. Or I can relocate the CCEGR switch to the top. either way, I don't have to f---- with the pain in da a-- old sensor that is seemingly hot welded into its new permanent home.