Daimler 15 water temperature sensor removal

[captain bobo]

I need to repair the housing of the automatic choke mechanism on my 1937 15 Sports Saloon. To remove the housing I need to disconnect the water temperature sensor which is housed in a brass "gland" (that has 2 nuts) mounted in the housing. Undoing the upper nut reveals the sensor firmly mounted in the gland which is firmly mounted in the housing. The gland appears to be threaded into the body of the automatic choke housing.

I don't want to do anything rash and force the gland nut, so my question is: how is the gland mounted to the housing? Is it threaded? Any tips for freeing the gland which has been in that housing for 85 years?

The attached photo shows the upper nut undone and the sensor mounted in the gland. All suggestions welcomed !

[Db n j]

Dave, for what it’s worth it looks same as Db18, which means it’s just held in place by the inner nut. (And 80 years of debris)

That means trying to remove the debris and the sender, or worse ,,,,

Sorry, no easy answer

[NickDeAth]

I have never done this job on a Daimler but I have done many similar jobs over the years. . I suggest firstly give it a good soaking with a penetrating fluid ( my preference is PlusGas) leave it for as long as you can. Once every so often give it a GENTLE tap all around in as many directions as you can with a small hammer. It should eventually loosen enough to twist out.

Best of luck.

Nick

[captain bobo]

Thank you for your comments. I'm delighted to report that a large squirt of WD40, leaving it to penetrate for a few hours, gentle tapping from all sides, scraping at the debris with a needle, and a few gentle tugs resulted in the sensor and the gland parting company.

The aluminium casting that houses the thermal sensor is now safely removed from the front of the cylinder head too, ready to assess the repair needed.

[Db n j]

In the immortal words of Monty Python “you were lucky”

Enjoy the moment!

What’s up with the housing ?

[captain bobo]

Yes, I figure I was lucky!

The aluminium housing was damaged slightly by a previous owner.

The consequence of the damage is that, over time, corrosion has created a small hole that now leaks coolant.

I suspect that one of the J B Weld products might cure the leak by filling and sealing the small damaged area.

They make several types of hardening filler, I wonder which one might be best.

I'm going to make a seperate post to pose this question.

Hope you and Julie are both well,