How to change temperature probes

[JiveMasterT]

I did this on my 2g, but i think it will work on a 1g just the same.

1. Find out which temperature probe you need. If the gauge in your dash is not working then you need the gauge probe, and if the car is throwing a CEL for a temperature probe then you need to replace the ECU temperature probe. The ECU temperature probe is larger in size than the gauge probe.

2. Locate the probe in the engine bay. Both probes are in the thermostat housing on the passanger side of the head of the motor. Just trace the giant radiator hose back to the head and that goes right into the thermostat housing. I took out my upper intercooler piper going to the throttle body in order to access the ecu temp probe, and the gauge one is a little easier to get to.

3. I pulled out the ECU probe and i cleaned the threads really good with alcohol and a wire brush, and then i put a thin layer of permatex for thermostat housings on the threads and threaded it in. Make sure to tighten it, but not too tight because you do not want to crack the housing, and it is very possible to do that. If you are changing the temperature probe for the gauge then you can do the same thing. I believe the haynes manual also says you can use teflon tape, but permatex will most likely work better, but you gotta wait for it to set up before you drive it.

4. Now, a lot of coolant drained out of your system when you pulled out those little probes and now it is time to add some more. Go to the store and get some coolant, top off your system and you should be all set.

Notes:
1. Permatex takes a few hours to set up, and I think thats why the shop manual says to use teflon tape, but permatex is going to make a better seal.
2. You may not nessicarily need to take the intercooler pipe off in order to take out the probe but it does make it easier.
3. The probe that came with my autometer gauge fit into the housing perfectly so I used that hole, put in the probe, and ran that to my autometer temperature gauge in my gauge pod. Now my dash gauge doesnt work anymore, but who cares... it's not the most accurate thing anyway.