coolant temp sensor stripped??

[Blaker19]

what a day, i started off at 630 this morning by calling in sick to work and decided i would do some work to my 00 exp. but really all im trying to do is replace the coolant temp sensor, seems like it must be stripped or something. i turned and turned on it and it didnt come out, started paying attention to what i was doing and looks like the threads are not "unthreading", seems to me like its stripped maybe. any suggestions??

 

[firepop5]

Is it the sensor for the temp gauge, or the sensor for the ecm?

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome, and if it's the sensor on the thermostat housing, you are in big big trouble. Don't touch those, they almost always strip. The threads let go in the housing, and the whole bottom half has to be replaced. If that's what you had happen, go to this other thread and see about getting the newer 2002+ SOHC parts, the cost is about $100 instead of $300. Regards,

4.0 SOHC plastic thermostat housing - http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239493

 

[gijoecam]

There are no threads in the housing, it's molded in-place. But yes, they break free from the housing and cannot be repaired. It's apparently possible to retrofit to a new housing from a newer engine without much difficulty. It means purchasing the two sensors as they attach using an o-ring and wire clip retainer instead of threading into the housing, but even with the additional sensors, it's still cheaper than the original.

Good luck!

 

[gijoecam]

As luck would have it, it was just a few threads down from this one...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239493

-Joe

 

[CDW6212R]

That's what I posted from my Personal Notepad. I've begun collecting good reference material there. I found a use for the Personal Notepad finally.

 

[Blaker19]

okay guys thanks for all the info. the sensor i was talking about is the one for the ecm. the one that goes to the guage, which i think was the one closer to the front of the engine, came out with no problem. the one i need to replace is the one for the ecm, and i cant get it out, it just spins. but on the plus side, it doesnt leak.... Yay!!!

 

[gijoecam]

but on the plus side, it doesnt leak.... Yay!!!

It will. Don't delay. It'll start leaking without warning, and before you know it, it'll overheat and blow the head gasket. What was a $30 part from someone parting them out or a $100 part for the upgrade to the newer housing and sensors will become a $2000 head gasket job.

Is it really worth it?

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes, if there is an issue and you have the 97-01 version, get started on collecting the 2002+ parts to do it right.

 

[Blaker19]

thanks again guys, i will definately start gathering the parts to upgrade it for sure. going on a trip next week, i think it will hold up for the trip, i will check it whenever i stop for gas to make sure it isnt leaking and keep it full of fluids.

 

[TimBo885]

HA! I stripped this same sensor last year doing upper and lower intake gaskets and low and behold I didn't realize that I ordered the new lower housing on accident a while back and now I need to get new sensors and O-Rings for this thing while it sits in my garage..

Note: It has been leaking slowly since day 1 of stripping it.

Thanks for saving me more of a headaches guys.