# Coolant Level Sensor Blew Out

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-level-sensor-blew-out/86881>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 30, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-level-sensor-blew-out/86881 "2014-08-30T00:29:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Demo\_Beta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Demo\_Beta](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Demo_Beta)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-level-sensor-blew-out/86881/1 "2014-08-30T00:29:52Z")

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Luckily this happened 1/4 of a mile from home.

So I’m sitting at a red light and I hear a loud “bing” sound. I thought something in the suspension snapped, but I pulled away and all was well.

I get home in the driveway and hear that dreaded gushing and dripping of fluid; there’s coolant everywhere. I popped the hood and the coolant level sensor is missing and coolant is running out of the hole.

What the hell.

Anyways, I find the sensor behind the radiator and the retaining clip is still on it (it was properly seated when I put it on). I get the sensor cleaned up and reinsert it, but it feels looser than I remember. I put the retaining clip back on and it seats behind the flange on the radiator tank, but still feels a little loose. I’ve given it a decent tug and it doesn’t come off.

Now, I haven’t refilled the radiator and started the car yet, but I’m wondering if anyone has experience with this. Is it just going to pop out again? Should I just buy a new sensor? Replace the O-rings on the sensor and try to find a new retaining clip?

There were no leaks from the sensor connection prior to this happening. It’s a 90’s GM radiator/sensor setup.

Cheers.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Demo\_Beta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Demo\_Beta](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Demo_Beta)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-level-sensor-blew-out/86881/2 "2014-08-30T00:58:59Z")

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Meh, I wiggled it a bit and it came right out. SOaB, $50 part that ain’t broken.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 6:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-level-sensor-blew-out/86881/3 "2014-08-30T06:39:28Z")

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If it will not stay, it’s broken. Either the sensor or the mounting hole in the radiator.