On my '91 N/A, the small sensor (with the wire coming out) on top of my radiator has started to leak bit and there's a small spray of coolant on the fan shroud. My first response to this is to investigate the condition of the sensor and, providing someone can tell me if it's suitable or not, wrap the threads to tighten contact. My question is...can Teflon Thread Tape stand up to the heat and humidity associated with the radiator? Anyone know of any other suggestions?

 

There is also some stuff that comes in a stick like a large crayon. You just scrape the threads on it and fill them up with the stuff and screw it in. I am not sure how welle ither hold up to the heat but they were made to prevent water from leaking so that shouldnt be a problem. I would just get something and try it, about the worst that could happen is the problem wont be fixed.

 

I would use the teflon tape. I've used it on the oil cooler lines and it worked fine, no leaking of oil.

 

NEVER use a teflon tape. use the liquid teflon instead, but make sure not to put any on the first 2 threads. Just a plumbing rule for the real plumber.

 

Why do you say avoid the tape? What problems can it cause?

 

the tape works .just wrap it in the correct direction

 

tape is fine.

i work in a truck shop.

ive changed taps and lines for a coolant system for a 1998 western star (if you dont know what that is, its essentially a better version of a MACK truck) and i was instructed to use teflon tape.

and yes just make sure its on the thread the right way.

if you start to see it falling off as you screw it in, pull it out, take off the tape, and try it again (opposite direction as last time)

 

thats one of the reason why I dont use the tape.

 

you don't use tape because it can come a part and you will have peices of it in you cooling system and it may lead to a clog. use the paste it's not expensive and it's much safer.

 

if you dont use tape PROPERLY it will come apart.. thats why i said just make sure you thread it properly and you wont have a problem.

some of our trucks have over 1 million kilometers on them, we always use teflon tape

theyre still going, no problems.

 

Oh, for christ sake. Use whatever you want. Teflon is just to provide interference between the threads.

 

hah.

i was talking to one of the mechanics at work about this thread.

i said "what is better? teflon tape? or the liquid stuff?"

he said "it depends on who you talk to.. teflon tape works, but sometimes is more of a hassle to thread properly so other people use the liquid. both work just fine, but everyone argues over it."