Coolant level sensor hole plug?

[Ihatetochangeoil]

For my daughter's 03 Buick Lesabre; I purchased an all aluminum aftermarket radiator. (eBay) It comes with a hole for a low coolant level sensor; there is not such a sensor on her car nor is there wiring for such. All I really need is to plug the hole so the radiator is actually useable. As best as I can physically measure, the hole is 12mm diameter and 15mm+ deep. Local parts stores have "low coolant level sensors" in stock and I'm sure that would work, I just hate to buy a sensor when I know the right size PLUG would work for much less than an actual sensor. Where to find such critter? Thanks in advance.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

Take a L@@K here https://www.mcmaster.com/threaded-plugs/ I would also call the radiator manufacturer and get the thread pitch size.

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

Thanks; but it's NOT a threaded hole, a low coolant level sensor simply pushes in the hole and is held and sealed by two O rings and a wire retainer. I have emailed the manufacturer and they responded and stated that they do not sell plugs for the hole nor coolant level sensors nor do they know where to obtain them.

 

[Warstud]

I think all you can do is get an old one from the scrap yard to plug it up.

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

I think all you can do is get an old one from the scrap yard to plug it up.

Thanks, I may end up doing this; but the part needs to seal and not leak....Really hate to use junkyard (scrap) part on a pressurized system. I would definitely replace the O rings.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

I wonder if a rubber expansion plug would work. I didn't search exhaustively, but found this one in a diameter that would fit. I'm not sure about the depth, or how much to trust the lever mechanism vs. the screw-type. I have used the larger screw-type plug to replace freeze plugs on an engine. They worked well, but I did snug them up occasionally.

You could also buy a cheap sensor and install it. Electronics quality wouldn't be a concern, and hopefully a cheaper one wouldn't leak.

https://www.grainger.com/product/SHAW-PLUGS-7-16-in-Snap-Tite-Mech-Expansion-6VFR2

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

I wonder if a rubber expansion plug would work. I didn't search exhaustively, but found this one in a diameter that would fit. I'm not sure about the depth, or how much to trust the lever mechanism vs. the screw-type. I have used the larger screw-type plug to replace freeze plugs on an engine. They worked well, but I did snug them up occasionally.

You could also buy a cheap sensor and install it. Electronics quality wouldn't be a concern, and hopefully a cheaper one wouldn't leak.

https://www.grainger.com/product/SHAW-PLUGS-7-16-in-Snap-Tite-Mech-Expansion-6VFR2

I sincerely appreciate your response, but this plug is rated for 25 ft of head pressure which works out to about 10.8 psi https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pump-head-pressure-d_663.html Not quite enough for normal (15 psi) radiator...But I give you E for effort. I'm grateful for responses.