Water Temp Guage Install Leaking.

[calixto]

I know this is a basic but help me out. I bought a set of Sunpro guages and am having a coolant leaking problem with the new water temp guage i installed. Original Temp sender was working and reading on my stock guages but I want an accurate number reading thus the new gauges

I pulled the stock (newly replaced) F Temp sender from the little nut like riser in the block. I screwed the Sunpro Metric adapter fitting M16 X 1.5 to 5/8" x 1/8" NPT onto the captive fitting of gauge then screwed the entire thing into the nut like riser in the block. Everything seemed sealed and ready to go but when I fire up the engine I get a decent amount of coolant coming out of the threads. It seem like most of it is coming out of the adapter thread but also a little between the captive fitting and the adapter. The instructions say not to use a sealing tape or sealing compound because the threads are "tapered self sealing". It also says to install the adapter into the block first then the captive fitting into the adapter but I was having an issue getting the CF to screw into the adapter when it was already on the block. Also it seems like the Sunpro capillary tube is pretty long into the block compared to a stock temp gauge but with the adapter in place might be a similar depth. Keep in mind I've always been able to screw my stock temp sending gauge into the stock block thread by hand and had no leaks.

Any suggestions? Tips? Can any install on this truck ever go easy?

I am going to wait for the engine to cool back down again and give it another go but thanks for any help you might be able to provide.

 

[Downey]

There is a remedy, but it could have a down side. You could use two part epoxy, and it will definitely seal, BUT it could possibly keep your sender from grounding to the block. Check to see if this an issue with your sender?????

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

I had something similar with my AutoMeter temp sender. The adapter that goes into the block was fine, but I get a little coolant leak from where the sender goes in the adapter after torquing the s*** out of them.

Used a little bit of that teflon tape for pipes right near the top of the threads of the sender, no leaks except for when I go in a really long drive and I'll get a tiny bit of coolant that oozes out. No problems with the ground either.

 

[calixto]

The teflon tape solved the problem. So glad I have a real read on my temp now! I changed my themostat at the same time so I'm not sure if it was shot but my new temp guage is reading at a steady 170 and not shooting up like crazy at idle. I did end up taking the previous guage back to Pep Boys because I think the top connection was cracked and fluid was coming out from there. They exchanged for a new one no problem even though it was 2 months later.