jorget

so i was in the process of replacing the engine temp senor when the top half broke. so i must get out tonight. i was using a 14 mm which fits the new but looks like the old one use 13mm. the socket is having trouble gripping it. and sugestiong or tips on what tools to use or way of taking it out.
would it hurt the engine if i run with out the engine temp senor?

sv41878

Ok I'm assuming that your talking about the coolant sensor on the back driver's corner of the head cuz I did the same thing and sizes sound the same, it's brass and therefore soft, drill it out with a bit just a touch smaller than the sensor, it should leave just a pigs tail of brass around the edges (there's a name for this but I can't remember what it's called something coil), then very carefully, pull this brass out or use a threading tool to push it through (won't hurt the cooling system brass is soft). Just be careful drilling. And no it won't hurt the engine to run without it, you just won't have a temp gauge until it done, just make sure to connect the new temp sensor to the wires and zip tie it out of the way where it won't be damaged til you have time to do this otherwise you will throw a code for temp sensor short circuit.

jorget

yes thats the part i'm talking about

sv41878

Your good then, I still haven't fixed mine, it wasn't working when I got the Jeep, I broke it Saturday trying to take it out and haven't had time to drill it out myself, I just did what I just suggested to you, plugged it in and tied it out of the way. The brass they use for that is really crappy, they break all the time.

jorget

so i shouldn't have a problem with the jeep overheating then correct?

sv41878

Not unless you had one before, keep an eye on it, but I haven't and my aux fan doesn't work either, think it has something to do with that sensor being broken.

jorget

good i'll be able to make untill the weekend then thanks for the help

UK PONY

before resorting to drilling it out try an imperial size socket 1/2 inch or 9/16 should fit - the 1/2 inch will probably need to be forced on but should grip enough to turn it.

good luck

jorget

i've never herd of imperial socket what is special about that type of socket?

troy fritz

As long as you dont drill it yet. If you drill it now then coolant will leak out causing problems. I did this myuself once.

sv41878

I don't understand, you drilled it out and it leaked coolant? Did you not screw the new one in, use to big of drill bit? You shouldn't have any problem with drilling it, make sure the drill is straight, one size smaller than the threads on the fitting and use a threading tool to get the rest of the brass out, then use RTV sealant on the threads.

5-90

I think he means "SAE" - or "inch." ("Metric" sockets are also called "ISO.") Considering his moniker ("UK Pony") I think it's safe to say that's what he's talking about - what we refer to as "inch" or "SAE" over here is usually "imperial" over there. Just be glad the wretched thing isn't a Whitworth...

If you drill that out, bear in mind that the hole is tapered, and you'll use a 1/8" NPT tap to clean up the threads. Do not cut any new threads, or you'll screw up the hole!

Seal the new sensor using RTV copper - this will preserve the "self-grounding" property, and will help prevent seizure next time.

@sv41878 - If your fan isn't working, it's not that sensor. It only drives the IP gage/lamp. What year is your rig? 1987-1990 uses a Thermal Fan Switch (TFS) in the driver's side radiator tank, while 1991-up fan relays are driven by a signal from the ECU, which is derived from the coolant temperature sensor in the thermostat housing up front.

If you don't have any codes, the sensor itself is good - so check the relay (should be on the driver's side fender liner) and fan modules instead.

sv41878

Mines a 96, I've been through everything, all I can figure is that because that doesn't register a temp, the ECU doesn't pick up that the aux fan should kick in, but I'm not having any issues with it not working either.

troy fritz

Drill out the sensor . You can get a thread restore kit from Auto Zone. I did the same thing to my 96 XJ.

jorget

so i tried to take it out yesterday and found out that socket wouldn't go all the way down it hits the valve cover case i tried a wrench but they are to big. thats why it was slipping. any other tool i can use?