So, it's been a while since I've had any real problems, but I'm stumped on this one.

I saw a few days ago that I was leaking coolant out of the level sensor near the intake, and figured that the previous owner had tightened it too much at cracked it, since it is made of plastic. Sure enough, I took it out, and it had a hairline crack.

So I went to the dealership, and bought a new one, came with a new o-ring and everything, awesome. I put it in, and tightened it with my hand, then just ever so slightly more with a little wrench. Maybe, 1/4th a turn or so at most. And it seemed to work perfectly... until I went out to look at a cable and I noticed that it was leaking from the same spot.

Am I supposed to put some sort of other sealant on it to prevent this? Am I supposed to tighten it even further? Or is my radiator just kinda screwed at this point? I doubt that I cracked the new one with how little I really tightened it, and if that is what happens, I'll be pretty ticked at myself since it cost a pretty penny.

 

Try a little teflon tape and see if that helps.
You do have the rubber seal on that sensor..right?..(flat rubber washer)

 

Just put some on and tightened it back down. I'll see if it works in about 5 hours when I leave work.
And yes, it came with the seal.

 

ah..ok..you got the "economy Sensor"..
Mine came with a Walrus a Fish and an Iceberg!

 

Thanks for posting this, I noticed mine bubbling at the sensor tonight after driving for a little bit. I did not install the radiator (believe Koyo) but the previous owner did not very long ago; I just bought the car. I’m assuming it’s either the original sensor with a small pin hole crack or no Teflon tape? I got a “live” photo of it leaking/bubbling.

 

you can get Rubber Flat washers in the plumber's section of a hardware store that can fix that right up..
That is If it is not the Sensor itself and is not cracked or damaged.
the worst thing that you can do is over-tighten and hurt ANY plastic threads either on the sensor or the old stock plastic rad.The aftermarket rads are usually metal so highly unlikely they get affected.

 

That’s a good idea! However, after zooming in, it looks like there is a crack; it was probably over tightened. I’ll remove it tomorrow and inspect it thoroughly.