leak at temp sender

[Higs]

Hi
I have a leak at the temp sender. a small drip.
I can get the sender out but am not able to tighten when it goes back in.
It is stripped i believe (not totally).. The nut that it goes into is very rusted (larger 1/2") any suggestions on how to stop the drip??
Also do i need the smaller one inside the other or can I just get a 1/2 npt sensor and screw it in? (assuming I get old nit out)
any help or advice would be appreciated
Thanks

[Dave Neptune]

Cehck this first!

First welcome to the forum.

What you probably have is an iron reducer in the block. There is no hex in the block unless a reducer was added. Common practice with 3/8" senders. The problem is that they should use bronze.

Take a closer look at what may be a fitting in the block. It will probably need to be removed if indeed that is the case.

Dave Neptune

[Higs]

Hi Dave
Thanks.. I took out the iron fitting/reducer.
It crumbled into pieces (so came out easy).
I used a magnet to get out as much as possible.
I found a replacement sender at the local marine store with the 1/2" thread. This was a one piece replacement (to fit in larger hole) and should be able to go right in the old hole without having 2 pieces to thread.
Are all the senders the same.? I am assuming that they are and it will work with my gauge.
Thanks,
Tom

[Dave Neptune]

Chase it

Senders can be various sizes and should be matched with the gage. Particular gages require particular resistance.
You can get a cheap pipe tap and freshen up those in the block without much fuss and then the threads should be fine.
If you know what your gage is you may find a suitable sender with 1/2" threads. If not a nice new gage and sender may e in our future.

Dave Neptune

[Higs]

Im gonna try out the sender I have and see if ot works with the gauge.
Ill let you know how it works.
Thanks for your input!

[Dave Neptune]

It'll work but

Higs, the sender will probably work but ma not be scaled properly, se if you can find the resistance numbers and get the correct one. Post the name and model someone on this site may just know.

Dave Neptune

[Higs]

Resistance of the sender or the gauge. The gauge is a S W (stuart warner)
Thanks

[Dave Neptune]

Call 'em

Both they need to match. The temp scale and or model of the SW gage would lead you top the correct sender. Try SW themselves, customer service test.

Dave Neptune

[ndutton]

The common US standard (including Stewart Warner) temperature gauge resistance is 240Ω - 33Ω. Any sender of that specification should give you an accurate reading gauge. The standard Stewart Warner single station temp sender is model #280EA.

[edwardc]

Hi
I have a leak at the temp sender. a small drip.
I can get the sender out but am not able to tighten when it goes back in.
It is stripped i believe (not totally).. The nut that it goes into is very rusted (larger 1/2") any suggestions on how to stop the drip??
Also do i need the smaller one inside the other or can I just get a 1/2 npt sensor and screw it in? (assuming I get old nit out)
any help or advice would be appreciated
Thanks

If your new sender doesn't work out, here's something else to try.

A few years back, when faced with a similar problem, I made a replacement adapter. I bought a 1/2" bushing, and drilled out and tapped the center to 3/8". I found one at the local hardware in brass, but McMaster-Carr has them in bronze:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-metal-pipe-fittings/=rxkpsw