R50/53 changing ECT - engine coolant temperature sensor
#1
changing ECT - engine coolant temperature sensor
BLUF: Has anyone changed the engine coolant temperature sensor on their R53? It seems super stiff to screw in, so much so that I'm worried I'll damage the threads on the cylinder head. How hard should it be?
DETAIL: I broke the connector casing on mine and removed the sensor. It was *really* hard to get out: both hard to access (had to get a special deep socket) and took a *lot* of force to crack it before I could unscrew the thing. But, eventually, out it came. My issue comes in trying to install a replacement. It's a pretty standard part, can be had for $20 at Autozone or O'Reilly's. But the new one only seems to screw in about half the threads before it gets to be really quite difficult to turn, to the point where I'm worried about stripping the threads on the cylinder head. The new ECT does have a rubber sort of coating on the threads to prevent leakage, so it makes sense that it's stiff but I'm just really concerned about damaging the cylinder head that I haven't had the courage to screw the thing in fully. I removed the new unit and bought yet another because the rubber thread coating was removed by my efforts.
DETAIL: I broke the connector casing on mine and removed the sensor. It was *really* hard to get out: both hard to access (had to get a special deep socket) and took a *lot* of force to crack it before I could unscrew the thing. But, eventually, out it came. My issue comes in trying to install a replacement. It's a pretty standard part, can be had for $20 at Autozone or O'Reilly's. But the new one only seems to screw in about half the threads before it gets to be really quite difficult to turn, to the point where I'm worried about stripping the threads on the cylinder head. The new ECT does have a rubber sort of coating on the threads to prevent leakage, so it makes sense that it's stiff but I'm just really concerned about damaging the cylinder head that I haven't had the courage to screw the thing in fully. I removed the new unit and bought yet another because the rubber thread coating was removed by my efforts.
#3
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kevandunsmore (10-22-2024)
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The following 2 users liked this post by ssoliman:
Here2Go (10-22-2024),
kevandunsmore (10-22-2024)
#7
That's a good idea. I had to ask chatGPT what chasing a thread meant! Looking for the kit on Harbor Freight now. They only seem to have tap and die sets. I'll post a link here for posterity when I find it.
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#8
The following 2 users liked this post by Here2Go:
kevandunsmore (10-22-2024),
ssoliman (10-23-2024)
#9
#10
Still to do the work yet. Fingers crossed!
The following users liked this post:
ssoliman (10-23-2024)
#11
The following users liked this post:
kevandunsmore (10-23-2024)
#12
OP, you can probably get a "thread repair" kit from your local parts store as a free rental. i know the ones around me have them.
#13
I ended up getting this kit: https://www.harborfreight.com/carbon...ece-62832.html
Still to do the work yet. Fingers crossed!
Still to do the work yet. Fingers crossed!
#14
i have to disagree on that one. with the tap and die, you're going to remove material. thread repairs don't cut. they aren't even sharp.
OP, you can probably get a "thread repair" kit from your local parts store as a free rental. i know the ones around me have them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42ibvWhQduo
OP, you can probably get a "thread repair" kit from your local parts store as a free rental. i know the ones around me have them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42ibvWhQduo
#16
$22 on amazon. just need to verify the thread pitch
https://www.amazon.com/RULLINE-15-Pi...zcF9tdGY&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/RULLINE-15-Pi...zcF9tdGY&psc=1
that link isn't working for me, but there are a ton available on amazon straight outta china. i also work on some old american cars, so i need both metric and SAE. i'm pretty sure the kit that i have is kastar/lang 971. but really, my point was to use a thread repair vs tap. selecting the brand ... i'll leave that to you.
https://www.zoro.com/lang-tools-frac...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
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