Temp sensor/gauge not reading

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pluckmyeyeout
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by pluckmyeyeout »

Growlerbearnz wrote:since yours is a '91 diesel, the part number is MD050214. Yoyopart have a list of equivalent part numbers and vehicle applications, but I'm not sure how much I trust them: http://www.yoyopart.com/oem/631521/mits ... 50214.html
We ended up finding that part number earlier and the local AutoZone carries Wells parts. We got TU295, which your link also confirms. The picture looks right. I'm going to order it and see how it goes.

Here's the link for reference. http://goo.gl/TJYgwG
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pluckmyeyeout
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by pluckmyeyeout »

OOPS!

So I left the sensor out while trying to track down a replacement (in other words, I didn't screw it back in). The Deli sat in the hot driveway... it got up to 90˚F (32˚C) outside today. I'm guessing another +20˚F in the hot van.

Would the pool of sticky stuff under the van be all of the coolant that leaked out as it got hot?

Is that hot enough?

Um... now what?
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Growlerbearnz
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by Growlerbearnz »

Is the sticky stuff coolant-coloured? But yes, the temperature sensor is below the level of the radiator cap, if you left it loose I would expect coolant to leak out. Especially if the coolant expanded as the day warmed up.

When you fit the new sensor, consider applying a smear of liquid thread sealant (Permatex 56521 is my usual). It's a taper thread so shouldn't need any sealant, but it's also 25 years old. Cranking down on a taper thread to stop it leaking can crack the alloy outlet stub.
Nothing says "poor workmanship" more than wrinkles in the duct tape.
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pluckmyeyeout
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by pluckmyeyeout »

It's tough to tell color on the driveway, but I'm pretty sure it's coolant. I've got the thread sealant ready to go. I read elsewhere that the spec from Mitsubishi is 3M Nut locking No 4171, but I just got the "sensor safe" thread sealant from local auto parts store.

So now wondering how much leaked and what to do next. I assume just top-off the coolant... Is a flush in order? I was going to replace the whole cooling system at some point, but was hoping to hold off until the fall.
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Growlerbearnz
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by Growlerbearnz »

Just topping it up at the radiator filler cap is enough. These engines don't have any complicated bleed procedures.
Nothing says "poor workmanship" more than wrinkles in the duct tape.
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pluckmyeyeout
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by pluckmyeyeout »

@Growlerbearnz, your help has been great! Thank you.

Got the sensor today and put it in. There seems to be a very slight gap... It's cranked down as far as I'm comfortable going. You think that's OK, or should I crank it more? What's the "spec" on this anyway? Where would I find that?
2016-05-26 20.27.38.jpg
2016-05-26 20.27.38.jpg (404.21 KiB) Viewed 12691 times
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Growlerbearnz
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by Growlerbearnz »

Cool! Does it work?

Workshop manual says 35Nm which isn't all that tight. The thread is tapered, so it shouldn't go all the way in before it stops anyway. If you overtighten it you can crack the housing.
Nothing says "poor workmanship" more than wrinkles in the duct tape.
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pluckmyeyeout
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by pluckmyeyeout »

I didn't fire it up yet! The thread locker said to give it 24 hours; plus by the time I got it installed it was late and dark and I wasn't sure about the gap.

Regarding torque spec. Is it worth getting something like this for future use?: http://goo.gl/qX34iT

I'll fire her up this afternoon and take it for a good cruise (after topping off the coolant). I'll let you know how it goes.
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pluckmyeyeout
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by pluckmyeyeout »

Well it moves. A tiny bit. Hm. What's next?

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pluckmyeyeout
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by pluckmyeyeout »

Lapprentis wrote:Is it NOT moving at all or very slowly moving ? Mine is working but will take a few minutes even in warn weather, to slowly start moving up. When driving, will stay low (lower 1/4 to 1/5) and rarely go higher. THAT IS WHY, we also need a EGT Gauge for driving theses Vans Safely using Temperature as input information :shock:

Lapprentis :M
So this is what I'm getting now that I've replaced the sensor. Kind of what you're talking about @Lapprentis.
2016-05-27 18.18.23.jpg
2016-05-27 18.18.23.jpg (289.64 KiB) Viewed 12681 times
So, EGT + multiple better temp gauges will be installed shortly. :D

Unless anyone can anyone think of another reason why this is happening to @Lapprentis and I?
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Growlerbearnz
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by Growlerbearnz »

That's pretty normal for just idling, marginally low for driving around town but still ok. On the freeway on a hot day mine might even get as high as a third of the way up! Towing on the freeway might get to half, and it'll only go above half when I'm powering up a long steep hill.

But anything above the 2nd mark is good. All temperature gauges are slightly different, the trick is to get used to yours so you can recognise when it's doing something unusual.

A torque wrench is a really good idea. The digital ones are great if you use them regularly, but if you're on a budget one of these http://amzn.com/B0019VMI0Y will do just fine too. The torque wrench is mostly about learning what correct torque feels like.
Nothing says "poor workmanship" more than wrinkles in the duct tape.
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cosmo727
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by cosmo727 »

That's where mine sits at idle now, maybe a half a needle width higher and around the 1/4 mark during normal driving. I had the same concerns as you when I first got my Starwagon last fall. I changed the thermostat twice (the first one stuck closed after a week) and the temp sensor. This appears to be normal for these engines. Needle was slightly lower overall before replacing these components. At least now I have a new OEM sensor and thermostat, so I should be good for a while. Oh, and a new rad cap.
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Growlerbearnz
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by Growlerbearnz »

Here's 20 minutes of driving in city street traffic. It took about 4 minutes to get above the 2nd line, then another 8 minutes to get to here. Then stayed about here for the rest of my drive.
20minDriving.JPG
20minDriving.JPG (26.78 KiB) Viewed 12677 times
Nothing says "poor workmanship" more than wrinkles in the duct tape.
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Lapprentis
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by Lapprentis »

You seems to be All Set now as for that Gauge. Now, as said before, if you want to spare your engine from overheating while climbling up a hill /and/or strong headwinds, and adjust the amount of fuel through the Gas pedal, the EGT is the way to go: the dash gauge will be of NO help in that..... :shock:

Lapprentis :M
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pluckmyeyeout
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Re: Temp sensor/gauge not reading

Post by pluckmyeyeout »

Great input all. Thanks so much!

I'm getting used to it for sure... But will also be doing the EGT ASAP.
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