AAAA....Broken temp. switch in block...what do i do??

[5Cent]

Is hard enough to get at, but not the new brass sensor has broken in half with the threaded part still in the block. I don't know how it happened, it wasn't close to being all the way in. It didn't turn hard at all either? I'm at a complete lose here guys. Help me!!

[DaveD in Canada]

Its trash anyhow, so drill into it and use an easy-out to extract it. I usually put a bit of teflon tape on the threads, helps it go in easier and guards against leaks. It doesn't have to be all that tight.

[5Cent]

I thought about that, but it's broken off, the actual sensor part is hollow. So I"m looking into the bottom of the sensor,(post is broken but still sticking out) and the part threaded to the block. I'm afraid of metal parts gettin in the coolant flow.

[5Cent]

Well I ran the engine for awhile, no coolant leaking. It's broken off in the way that when looking at it, you're looking at the inside of the sensor, with the wire post running through it. The post sticks up alitte before it was broken off, but the threaded wall is extremely thin. Any ideas?? Looks like I"ll be driving around w/ no temp guage for awhile.
http://community.webshots.com/s/image8/6/29/14/116762914qwslaO_ph.jpg
http://community.webshots.com/s/image9/6/19/55/116761955WnyBVH_ph.jpg

[SV1CEC]

Same thing happened to me, when I changed the temp sending unit with a new one, trying to trouble-shoot a low temp indication on my gauge. I tried an easy-out and didn't do a thing. Drilling it might not be a good idea, pieces can get in your engine. What my mechanic did to remove it, is to use a Torx bit, which he fit in the hollow part of the unit and turned it out. This thing is copper or brass, so the easy out is expanding it and does not pull it out. Try the Torx method and see what you get.

Also, if yours had a washer underneath the unit, do not put it back on. Mine broke because of that stupid washer.

Rgds

[5Cent]

Appreciate the help. That seems to be the common response I've gotten. I'd really like to find a way to be able to just use that sensor, since the post really isn't broken after looking at it. Any way it could be soldered or anything? It was only the outside wall of the threads that twisted off, contacts look to be ok. Or anyone know of a way to just make an alternate spot for a new temp switch and just leave this one be?