I'm trying to find out if I messed up bad.
It's a 99 k2500 Suburban 7.4L
Went to change the ECT pulled out the old one and threw the new one in quick instead of draining the coolant. When tightening the new one in it just kept turning and so i kept turning. I ended up tightening it all the way to the manifold. Hooked everything up and started the engine, it started leaking coolant from the sensor because its now stripped. I tried taking it out but again its stripped.
I'm trying to find out will I need to replace the manifold? I used some Hi temp JB weld epoxy putty and used it to "caulk" around the sensor. I believe the coolant is under pressure at 15PSI anyone think I'll have problems?
Also it seems that the sensor normally only goes in about half the thread length, does anyone know if the sensor being threaded all the way in would interfere with the thermostat.
I was going to remove the thermostat housing and try and push the sensor from inside the manifold to help rethread out but not sure.
I used the sealant hoping it works I'm refilling with coolant, which is another thing I opened the cap and coolant was green >_< I was told engine was replaced 6yrs ago but i dont know if some green universal was used, so i bought green but not wanting to mess anything up i went back and bought some universal dex and ill do a flush later.

I'm tryna figure this out because i'm driving 400mi to SF for grandmas birthday and i don't want any problems

I'm fearing ill need to end up replacing the lower intake to properly fix or get everything out of the way and helicoil.

 

Just filled and started leaking from the sensor also seems its leaking from the thermostat housing seems i gotta take it off any ways....

 

Well took of the thermostat housing the sensor definitely smashed the thermostat going in that far. It gets better >_< I tried placing a socket over the end of the sensor inside the manifold where the thermostat sits to try and push it as i tried to unscrew it hoping to catch the thread. THE DARN SOCKET FELL INTO THE ENGINE, so I have to remove the lower intake manifold. My question is does anyone think it fell into the head on the left side through internal exhaust port ? Im also thinking about a snake magnet and something else to take the sensor off so i dont have to remove everything.....

 

Well got the socket out with a magnet tied to a shoelace. Now still the Problem with the ECT sensor anyone have any ideas ???

Am I talking to myself lol?

 

Move over, some of us do that a lot, just kidding !

Nice job of getting the socket back.
You would want to make a long lasting permanent job if possible. You may get different opinions and answers, but that is good and you can decide which you want to use.

Depending on how much "Meat" is there a Heli-coil is a good choice. It can be permanent and not leak if done correctly Because the way the fickle finger of fate works, you might be ahead of the game just replacing the housing..

 

Yeah the only sucky thing is the sensor's actual housing is the lower intake manifold >_< I'm probably going to helicoil the thing if it doesnt work then replace the lower intake >_<