ECT Coolant temp sensor snapped??

[BestUsernameEver]

Along my short quest for the front tensioner, I had to remove the two ECT sensors to the left of it from the thermostat housing...

The right one (gauge sensor) I remove fine with a 19mm deep socket.
The left one (PCM sensor) I began unscrewing and after 1rotation, it became oddly lose in every direction. It is now stuck there, loose like a thumbstick on a game console, but still attached to some piece which wont fit through the hole!! I am also unable to screw it back since its totally loose and doesnt screw into anything anymore... Is it attached to anything inside? I really dont wanna take the thermostat apart

Now I did read that they have some sort of a brass bushing around it, but no sight of it anywhere. The right one should be the same but came out no problem. Please assist if possible. THANKS!

 

[BestUsernameEver]

----UPDATE-----
So after no replies I pulled out the thermostat and here are the results below (will need new bushings and sensor)

The sensor was basically crusted onto the bushing which tore away the plastic that holds it in place from inside. Recovered small plastic pieces from within the housing and some from the engine inlet, the rest flushed away when I drained the coolant and opened the thermostat housing....

So my next question is: How much pressure builds up inside that housing, if I were to make my own bushing and seal I wanna make sure they holdup.... Thanks

 

[99SportX]

That is unfortunate. The radiator cap relief pressure is 16psi so it is unlikely that the pressure would ever exceed that since the cap will direct excess pressure to the overflow reservoir.

 

[cjmedina]

Buy a 2002 housing from Rockauto.com RH144, the sensors, gasket and clips. $89