stuck water coolent temp sensor

[pete44]

Have a '94 Inline 6 4.0 litre...I replaced the water coolent temp sensor...when i was reinstalling it I was tightening it till it "seated" against head...well.....it snapped off at nut...think sensor part is OK..it has a spring like a flashlight that goes to connector..I'm rigging that together with some strong gas/oil type glue...BUT...Will I have to pull the head to get sensor out if it fails one day?..(most of threads are in the head)......Thanks,Pete44

[Saudade]

Ouch! You may be able to put some grease on a drill bit and slowly drill a hole down the middle big enough to use an easy out.

[pete44]

Thanks...thats a good idea...what is an "easy out" and where can I purchase one?...I also thought of using liquid (JB) weld to join the nut back onto the threads...then maybe I can ratchet it back out....anyhow my "rig" did not work...no temp reading at all...but there is a removable spring inside the plastic piece that is attached to threaded side ...thought about bonding spring to base of sensor that is threaded in..(if it is solid metal) then attach sensor wire to spring....(solder)...then coat with tape or some kind of high temp sealant....any more ideas?...thanks,Pete44

[Saudade]

An "easy out" is a screw extractor. It has reverse threads so it bites into the hole you drill and allows you to back the broken screw/bolt/stud/whatever. Critical to it's use in ensuring you drill a large enough hole to get a good bite without drilling into the surrounding material. Too small a hole results in using a smaller extractor which could also snap if turned too hard. If the extractor breaks, you're screwed (no pun intended).