Engine cold
Pinch hose or plug overflow vent on pressure cap. If air can't get in
coolant won't flow out.
Prep new sensor with O-ring.
Remove clip.
Quickly remove sensor, look for O-ring. Reach in and remove if stuck.
Insert new sensor with O-ring.
Insert clip.
Remove plug/cap.
Remove pressure cap. Top off coolant.
Replace cap and connect hose.

Done.
 You should only loose a quart or so this way.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2015 11:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Tips on replacing Temp 2 sensor

Still chasing bugs in my son's '87, and I'm going to replace it and the O2
sensor.  It's got erratic high idle, stumbling when cold, and I think it's
running rich when warmed up.

Just wondering if there is a way to minimize coolant loss.

There are a lot of pipes into the T-stat housing, and I can't clamp them all
off.  And, does the O-ring tend to stay in the bore and need to be hooked
out, or will it come out with the old sender? I'm going to replace it.

I may just use this as an excuse to flush and replace the coolant if I'm
going to lose a lot anyway.

Thanks!

Stuart