Should coolant temperature sensor be replaced?

[JLawrence08648]

2005 Toyota Rav4

My wife came home from work with a problem, 12 miles she drove from work, no a.c., with an engine code light on.

So I drove 3 miles to AutoZone to get the code read, temperature coolant sensor, bought one. I had a.c. to there and back. The temperature gauge was midway, fine. Went home to install the temperature coolant sensor, opened the hood, heard boiling noise from the radiator overflow container, it was empty. I opened the radiator cap, carefully. The cap without the parts came off, the spring and rubber seal were left in the radiator neck. Of course it wasn't opening. Took the parts all out. Mixed 2 liters of old new green Prestone with silicates, only thing I had on the shelf, it took all of it. I feel when I get this problem solved I would flush the Prestone coolant out and refill with Toyota red. Maybe I should have added just water? So back to AutoZone to buy a radiator cap. Zoom ahead 2 weeks, I did not replace the temperature coolant sensor, the radiator level is fine, no boiling, temperature gauge seems to be working fine, a.c. is working. Should I replace the temperature coolant sensor? Does it become inaccurate with overheating? Did the engine overheat enough to cause inaccuracy?

 

[Warstud]

I'd take the sensor back and yes....put in the right coolant.

 

[maxdustington]

Yeah IDK why you mixed the coolant when even tap water would do, especially silicated coolant like it's 1998, yikes. Now you have to flush the entire system instead of just adding a bit of concentrate, a jug of distilled is under $2 CDN.

It sounds like your rad cap failed and your coolant slowly evaporated. The engine light that came on while your wife was a check engine light and not a high coolant temp or low coolant light? You didn't even check the coolant level before you left? Double yikes!

You have to flush now, you might want to test the thermostat while the coolant is empty.

A comedy of errors!

 

[Billbert]

I don't often bash products, but AZs motorad radiator caps are very poor quality. Use OE or at least a stant

 

[Chris142]

Those little flat radiator caps often fall apart. We see it so much that I stock them. The sensor is fine. It was low on coolant so it was reading weird.

 

[RF Overlord]

What they all said ^^^. Return the sensor, flush the system, install proper coolant, celebrate with beer.

 

[Eddie]

I would replace the temp sensor, flush the system and put in proper coolant. That way you won't need to re-do the job if the original sensor is bad. Ed

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: Billbert
I don't often bash products, but AZs motorad radiator caps are very poor quality. Use OE or at least a stant


^ This.. that stuff is terrible quality, go OE, it may or may not cost a little more but its worth it. I got one for a Toyota OE from the dealer cheaper than parts store. Sometimes dealers have the best prices always check first for any part.