So I've been trying to narrow down why my coolant boils into the overflow tank (usually only on the highway) and discovered I need an Air Dam, which I don't have. I'm currently ordering one now, but while I made this grand discovery I was also checking my fluid levels and discovered that I was close to empty on coolant. Surprised and worried, I filled her up and took her out for a 15 minute drive.

I came back to discover that my coolant temperature sensor on my radiator had sprung a leak - to the point where it was PISSING all down the hose onto the ground.

Here's the catch: The fans were converted to electric fans on a relay by a previous owner - so the plug is merely there to just.. well.. be a plug. I was going to stick another plug with a new o-ring in, but then I figured other people must of run into this situation.

The engine is a 350 SBC, and it's never been connected and I haven't experienced any issues with it not being connected, so I was wondering if I should plug it with something other than a (dummy) sensor?

 

What sensor are you talking about? The CTS is used on TPI motors and is unrelated to the clutch fan. Where is this sensor mounted to the engine?

Either way you can just replace it with a pipe plug. They have them at Home Depot and Lowes. No o-ring should be on it. Should be 3/8 NPT regardless of location. Just throw some teflon tape on the threads.

 

it (was) the coolant temperature sensor on the radiator. it's on the left side connected near the lower radiator hose. it was converted to a SBC in 2001, and from what i can tell it's never been connected. i'm the third owner since the swap so i was guessing its just a plug now

 

I am not aware of any coolant temp sensor ever being mounted on the radiator, so I'm at a complete loss here. 1993 - 1997 F-bodies had a coolant level sender, but not coolant temp sensor. 1984 car wouldn't need to know the coolant temp, at least not the computer ... and the fans on a carbed 1984 car would have been mechanical I thought. So I'm lost ...

What color wires are running to the sensor in radiator? How many wires?

Is there a sensor in the intake for the new TPI computer? This should have yellow & black wire.

What exactlyy turns on the current electric fan setup? I know you said relays, but the relays have to get a signal from somewhere!

 

Not sure where the coolant level sensor would be if so equipped, but it would probably be higher than just above the lower rad hose. It's most likely an aftermarket rad that has more holes than required. Just plug it.

And the fan circuit that was added by the po will have a sensor somewhere, either on the engine or in the rad.

 

the sensor hes talking about is inbetween some of the radiators fins, there is one on my 88s lt1 engine.

 

Today i went and pulled it out and drained the radiator. It's actually similar to a peacock plug. it had two clips on opposite sides and the plug is sort of a barb with two o-rings. I brought it to both autozone and lowes and couldn't find anything similar. The guy at autozone told me to try a GM dealer.

So i bought some teflon tape and 15 min plastic epoxy, taped the barb and put some epoxy around the head of the plug and stuck it in using a small hammer to stuff it.

guess we'll see what happens in a half hour lol

 

Yeee. Hammer? The rad is made of plastic, plastic that's brittle if it's still the original one.

 

I smacked her in good

the radiator is aluminum now, but it's definitely a bit older. the barb is staying in place pretty good, can't even move the thing and i've been checking it for leaks and none have come up yet. Ahhh the wonders of epoxy and teflon tape!

i did however find another smaller leak between the piece of plastic "hose" that this piece is on and the aluminum part of the radiator. i put a bit of epoxy on that and it's sealed up well for now. i'm going to have to watch both though, as the epoxy is only rated for 200 degrees.

looks like i'll need one of those Champion radiators afterall!

 

don't know if you got a new champion radiator but I bought an "American Eagle AE951-AA" 2 row aluminum. 82-92... after cutting rubber saddles was direct fit... really great except the dumb sensor prong leaks... since it is in the car I will be trying you solution!

 

The sensor came off w/tlc... manufacturer used defective "O" rings... each one had cut/flat sides... used some blue rtv... part cooperated & went in just before the big hammer!! Looking forward to driving tomorrow afternoon after rtv cures.

 

It's an unused (on most 3rdgens) low coolant switch.

 

thanks

 

I seem to recall that low coolant sensor being used only on GTA models. I think. I believe the digital dash has a light for low coolant. I could be remembering incorrectly though.

 

That's what I meant by 'not used on most' as, digital dash cars with a DIC (driver info center) are not in a majority of f-bodies.
Also, it is a switch (it is on or off), not a sensor.