Thanks to all who replied.  changing the sensor worked, I now have a working temperature gauge.

I tried my friends "pull out the old one and put the new one in real quick" trick to not loose much coolant.  That would have worked if it were not for the old sensor's o-ring not coming out with the sensor.  That required reaching in through the stream of coolant to fish it out and then inserting the new sensor.  Got my sleeve soaked with anti-freeze!

Next time, I'll drain first!

John

>
> John Reynolds wrote:
> > Can anyone tell me if the coolant gauge temperature sensor (in thermostat
> housing - not the level sensor in the expansion tank) uses an O-Ring?   I' can't
> tell if this sensor and it's cousin for the fuel injection make direct contact
> with coolant and need a o-ring of some sorts.
> >
> > John
> >