> Hello, listers, I'm looking for any BTDT on removing the water temp
> sensor from a TR3 thermostat housing. After repeated PB blasting and
> cursing, I finally got the gland nut off the housing. Wow, does it
> look pathetic! On the outside of the housing, I can slightly turn
> the (brass?) sensor/capillary tube.
Almost certainly, what you are turning is the shield for the tube. There is a
little sheet metal 'tent' right at the bulb, and then a spiral winding the
length of the tube, but none of it is bonded to the tube.
> On the inside of the housing, the
> sensor (which seems thicker?) won't rotate at all.
> Should I get a wide bladed screwdriver and force the sensor out of
> the housing, or is there a better way I'm not aware of?
Frankly, if you're not planning to have the temp gauge rebuilt, then I'd leave
it alone. About the only thing I didn't try on mine was "Aluminum Naval Jelly"
... after months of fiddling around (and knowing how fragile it was), I still
bent the bulb enough to badly upset the calibration of the gauge. It's really
quite delicate.
Used housings are fairly cheap ... often under $10 on eBay for a TR4 housing
(which is nearly identical and will interchange). And a gauge rebuild will
include a new capillary tube and bulb, so that takes care of that.
Randall
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