ECT Sensor. How tight?

[rizzo]

I want to replace my ect sensor (no error code, just random hard hot starts and the part is cheap) but don't have a long socket. Was wondering if I could just slip a socket over the plastic connector attached to the sensor and loosen that way. If the sensor is in really tight then the plastic connector would probably crack when I turn the socket. Don't want to try before posting here first for fear of cracking the piece. Anyone ever removed their ECT sensor?

[hill8570]

Sounds like a good excuse to get some deepwell sockets

I'd use a regular wrench or even (ugh!) a monkey wrench before I'd try to loosen the ECT by turning it's plastic. It's not torqued on there particularly tight, but old plastic tends to be real brittle.

[rizzo]

So I picked up a 19MM deep well socket (as mentioned in a previous post) to remove my ECT sensor but that was too small. Went back for a 20MM but they only had a 21MM which fit but had a little wiggle room. Loosened the sensor as easy as I could and ...



hill8570 was dead on with his assumption about plastic on a sensor from 1995.

Now, I hand tightened in a new sensor then tried to tighten further with pliers which didn't really cause the sensor to tighten further. When I reattached the connecter it was now aligning one half revolution away from the original OEM sensor position. The arrow points to where the press-clip originally faced.



I let the car run for about 15 minutes and notice no leakage at the sensor but will keep an eye on it this week.

Question ... what is the correct size socket for the ECT and is it possible that the aftermarket version and OEM version would not line up to the same location when fully tightened?

[hill8570]

ECT is 19mm...not sure why yours had problems fitting.

Possible aftermarket and OEM will go on differently -- depends on where they started the threads. If it works and isn't leaking, it's all good.

[Hajoca]

I use a crows foot style socket for these.

[rizzo]

Update - no leakage to report, hard starts when engine is hot looks to be solved (though one hot start took a little longer than the rest) and a noticeable overall smoother feel when driving. Not to shabby for a $21.00 part after advanced auto coupon code.

I'm guessing my OEM ECT sensor was good enough to not throw off a code but old enough to not be 100%. Maybe my mixture was also a little too rich because of the failing OEM sensor and I'll see increased mpg down the road.

[fenixus]

5s-fe doesn't really specify the torque, but since there is same copper washer as on 1mz-fe and sensor is exactly same as on 1mz-fe (at least my v6 & i4), the torque for ECT for EFI is 14ft-lbs per 1mz-fe gen4 manual, so it should be about the same for 5s-fe.

deep wall impact socket works fine, not sure about size but I think it was 19mm (sensor fits inside) as Hill stated.