V6 4.0L temperature sensor removal help needed

[selppinevoli]

2002 Ford Ranger V6 4.0L

Trying to replace the temperature sensor, however it doesn't appear there's enough clearance (see pictures). Is there any trick to this short of removing the intake?

Based on other things I've found online it seems this is doable, but I don't see how...there's just not enough clearance.

Any ideas/tips? Or is this going to become a bigger job?

 

[RonD]

There should be enough room to slide out the clip and then get it out, yours does look tighter than I have see before.

Page 4 of a good thermostat housing how-to here: http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/remove-thermostat-disconnect-sensors.php#step4

 

[selppinevoli]

That's actually the same site I was following...everywhere I've looked at, seems like people have way more room than what mine has unfortunately

There's doesn't seem to be enough wiggle room to angle it either, not that I've had luck with so far at least.

 

[adsm08]

That does look unusually tight. Maybe take the housing off the block since it can just slide out.

 

[selppinevoli]

I did finally get this...was a pain in the butt. Tip for anyone else, get the entire thermostat housing loose - all three bolts, the back one really really sucks, but with a lot of practice and a swivel socket, you can get it out. Loosen the clamp on the bottom hose, lift up on the entire housing, and then wiggle it...and wiggle it...and wiggle it.

Took a long time to figure out where the give and take was, but eventually was able to get it rotated enough that I was then able to lift the sensor enough that I could angle it out.

Oh, and the replacement sensor from O'Reilly (BWD brand) had an o-ring that was too fat to fit...had to scrounge around the garage to find a different one to use (no leaks so far luckily). Just a word of caution for anyone else.

On the plus side, the new sensor has a slightly lower profile than the old one, so should be easier to get out in the future if ever needed.

*Mods - you can consider this resolved and move this post over to the appropriate new home.

 

[chewy012]

Yeah I got one of those fat o-ring thermostats too... I wasn't smart enough to realize that it wouldn't fit... did manage to get it squeezed in there, tightened and no leaks.... but next time the housing comes off (hopefully never) I'll be repairing threads..

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