Installing coolant low sensor - help needed (please!) - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

cArSiK · 08-19-2003, 01:17

Hey everyone,

Was just at a wrecker and was looking for a coolant low sensor (the one in the tank) to fit to my ED Gli. The only one i could find was from an EA (with the different style coolant tank) so i took it anyway.

My question is , will the EA one fit into the ED tank (without hitting one of the many dividers in it). And also how do i go about installing it. The wiring is cool because the plug is there so all i have to do is plug and play - but getting it in without leaks is my problem.

Any comments welcomed

Thanks
James

Aussiblue · 08-19-2003, 03:28

Looks the same in the factory manual and on my two Fairlanes.

cArSiK · 08-19-2003, 03:33

thanks.

any ideas on the instalation?

james

cArSiK · 08-19-2003, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussiblue

Looks the same in the factory manual and on my two Fairlanes.

Here is a pic of mine

http://www.fordgallery.com/showphoto...t=1&thecat=500

Anyone done this installation before that can give me some ideas?

Thanks
james

Full Monty · 08-19-2003, 21:44

undo the bolts securing the tank to the engine bay, this allows you to tilt the tank so that when you unscrew the original sensor all your coolant doesnt flow out.

remove the Plastic retainer, to do this i bent some tube into a U shape that fits the holes as it was too tight to remove by simpy inserting a screwdriver into one of the holes and unscrewing...the U bent tube allowed me to slip a screwdriver between the 2 ends of the tube to apply good torque to undo and then retighten.

I purchased my new sensor from Ford spares...cost around 50 bucks..but comes with a new rubber grommet, make sure your grommet isnt perished. install stepped rubber grommet onto new sensor (note one side of sensor is flat to key into the tank so it is always the correct side up.

then simply retighten plastic retainer and clip harness to plug.

very easy job...5-10 minutes tops.

Full Monty · 08-19-2003, 21:46

P.S make sure the sensor and grommet is seated properly, and the retainer screw in thingie is not cross threaded, I had to undo and re tighten to stop a minor leak the first time.

you could apply a small smidge of silicone grease to the inside of the rubber grommet where it mates with the sensor to prevent any loss of fluid. just make sure the grommet is ok, or else you will be doing it all over again when it starts to leak.

cArSiK · 08-19-2003, 23:08

thanks for all that info mate!
I have to drill the hole first as i have no sensor currently. Im abit confused about what im supposed to unscrew. Look at my the picture above , it is the one out of an EA do you think it will still fit?????????It also has no retainer clip....

thanks again
james :s6:

kiwishau · 08-20-2003, 04:06

There should be a big plastic "plug" that screws into the side of the coolant tank. It has a large hole in the centre for the wires from the sensor to go through and 4 small holes in the rim. It holds the sensor in. I use a pair of long nose pliers to screw mine in and out. Fits into two of the holes in the rim and unscrew.

crYnOid · 08-20-2003, 04:52

cArSiK, that was something I was going to do to my car but I changed a few things a long the way and had the odd problem.

First the thing people are saying you need to screw out wont be there! As it is the GLi tank it doesn't have it, only the threaded hole were it is suppost to sit. That part, that kiwishau describes as well, holds the sensor tight against the tank so the sensor doesn't blow out under pressure. You will probably have to get one from your local Ford parts dealer, they cost about $9 from memory. I used two nail punches to screw mine in, i'm sure you could think of something to get it in tight.

Also, is you have a GLi dash still, that sensor wont be much use, but I assume you have upgraded already

Don't let anyone tell you nothing is suppost to screw in there like my local dealer told me! I drove my car for 15min and the sensor didn't blow out under pressure but did overnight and left a green mess. Went back to the dealer the next day and they appologise and said they don't sell to many of them, so they had no idea what I was talking about at the time.

kiwishau · 08-20-2003, 23:29

Sorry to hog your thread cArSik but if anyone has one of the clear plastic floats that fit under the sensor (see pic above) I am interested in buying one. Mine has a leak and fills with water !!! The rest is OK and don't particularily want to pay Ford the $65 they want for the sensor. Please let me know.