Altered Mental Status (1G AWD 5spd)

[CrackedDSM]

Yeah the gauge needs sensor ground or you'll have a ground offset between what the gauge sees and uses for ground and what the ECU uses for sensors.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Been meaning to do this for awhile. Glad I finally got around to it. Pictures will be obvious what I did.

Before

After

I am in love with how it looks (minus the red sticker on the bumper I may remove that soon tbh), and very very pleased with placement and how it looks. It just looks right to me.

Also did this.

I opted for white for both because the lower trim is and always will be black, not silver like OEM. But either way, I'm extremely happy with this too. I've always wanted one of these cars that had in tact stickers like this, so one step closer to OEM. Eventually I'll touch up all the silver spots you see with black, but for now...it looks great. Very happy.


I'll do wiring next week when I've got more time.

 

[chrisman287]

Looks good. The red decals definitely have to go. Do you plan on removing the tint from the tail lights?

 

[CrackedDSM]

Eventually. Either by outright replacing them, or by sanding the nightshade off of them. The red sticker on the bumper will go, but the one on the hatch glass is staying.

 

[chrisman287]

Eventually. Either by outright replacing them, or by sanding the nightshade off of them.

Gasoline will be your friend

 

[CrackedDSM]

Gasoline will be your friend

Does that work? Is there any kind of walkthrough?

 

[CrackedDSM]

Just absolutely crazy, man. I haven't done much to the car because I've been working, and I'm in the middle of jumping ship to another job/place of employment(still gonna be an EMT). But, this happened.

This was after a significant amount melted, this was a full 24-26 hours after the snow ended, but seriously. SNOW. IN FLORIDA!! Like...the last time we got any kind of snow was like 3.5" back in the 1800's. Just mind blowing, man. So awesome though.


As expected/as every DSMer knows, she is a beast in the snow. Even on 245 wide essentially summer tires labeled as "all seasons" no issue at all with deep snow, or the more packed down almost ice variant. Check one off the bucket list for this car man. Drove the AMS Talon through snow.

Final count of snowfall accumulation btw? 9.9 inches. Basically TEN INCHES of snow. One for the history books, and I'm glad to have been a part of it.

 

[CrackedDSM]

So I have one of these little radiator hose adapters for water temp sensors, and I'm having an issue with the sensor itself leaking.

It looks just like that. It's not a massive leak, but it's enough of a leak to be annoying. I have actual coolant in the car, so I don't want it dripping out. It's leaking from the threads of the sensor though. I even tried this time to put a dab of RTV around it, but did it half-assed and it didn't work.


I've tried PTFE thread tape, and some hercules strength PTFE thread tape as well, but honestly..I'm just an idiot. I can't seem to apply thread tape and it actually work. Instead it always just gets cleaned off the threads and pushed up around the base of the sensor. It's like magic, and I just can't do it. Lol.

I feel like I've used the Loctite Hi-Temp Thread Sealant in the past, and it eventually leaked too. With it being a sensor I'm hesitant to use RTV but not gonna lie, I'm considering it...

Any tips and tricks? Plz halp. Lol.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Use it. The thicker the better.

 

[Anfurnyy]

So I have one of these little radiator hose adapters for water temp sensors, and I'm having an issue with the sensor itself leaking.

View attachment 755057



It looks just like that. It's not a massive leak, but it's enough of a leak to be annoying. I have actual coolant in the car, so I don't want it dripping out. It's leaking from the threads of the sensor though. I even tried this time to put a dab of RTV around it, but did it half-assed and it didn't work.


I've tried PTFE thread tape, and some hercules strength PTFE thread tape as well, but honestly..I'm just an idiot. I can't seem to apply thread tape and it actually work. Instead it always just gets cleaned off the threads and pushed up around the base of the sensor. It's like magic, and I just can't do it. Lol.

I feel like I've used the Loctite Hi-Temp Thread Sealant in the past, and it eventually leaked too. With it being a sensor I'm hesitant to use RTV but not gonna lie, I'm considering it...

Any tips and tricks? Plz halp. Lol.

I've used rtv for a few of my sensors before but what id recommend is some high temp sealant.

Permatex Hi Temp Threadlocker Sealant 0.2oz | AutoZone

OEM specified. Locks and seals threaded fittings. Resists leakage, vibration loosening, moisture, hydraulic fluids and diesel fuels. Lubricates threads for easy assembly and disassembly. Won't shred or wear like Teflon® tape. Parts may be repositioned up to 4 hours after application. Temperature...

www.autozone.com

 

[DSMPT]

So I have one of these little radiator hose adapters for water temp sensors, and I'm having an issue with the sensor itself leaking.

View attachment 755057



It looks just like that. It's not a massive leak, but it's enough of a leak to be annoying. I have actual coolant in the car, so I don't want it dripping out. It's leaking from the threads of the sensor though. I even tried this time to put a dab of RTV around it, but did it half-assed and it didn't work.


I've tried PTFE thread tape, and some hercules strength PTFE thread tape as well, but honestly..I'm just an idiot. I can't seem to apply thread tape and it actually work. Instead it always just gets cleaned off the threads and pushed up around the base of the sensor. It's like magic, and I just can't do it. Lol.

I feel like I've used the Loctite Hi-Temp Thread Sealant in the past, and it eventually leaked too. With it being a sensor I'm hesitant to use RTV but not gonna lie, I'm considering it...

Any tips and tricks? Plz halp. Lol.

Did you confirm what thread it has? Those radiator hose adaptors are common with both NPT and PT (BSPT). My first guess was the sensor thread vs the adaptor thread.

 

[CrackedDSM]

I've used rtv for a few of my sensors before but what id recommend is some high temp sealant.

Permatex Hi Temp Threadlocker Sealant 0.2oz | AutoZone

OEM specified. Locks and seals threaded fittings. Resists leakage, vibration loosening, moisture, hydraulic fluids and diesel fuels. Lubricates threads for easy assembly and disassembly. Won't shred or wear like Teflon® tape. Parts may be repositioned up to 4 hours after application. Temperature...

www.autozone.com

I swear I've used that stuff before and it ended up leaking. You're supposed to "knead" the tube and it seems like it never works out for me. I guess I can try it again.

Did you confirm what thread it has? Those radiator hose adaptors are common with both NPT and PT (BSPT). My first guess was the sensor thread vs the adaptor thread.

Supposedly, it has 1/8th NPT thread. Reviews can be deceiving, but no other reviewers seem to have issues with it leaking. That or they just haven't noticed it. It's an AEM X-Series Temp Gauge Sensor(same as the old temp gauge sensors though).

 

[Anfurnyy]

I swear I've used that stuff before and it ended up leaking. You're supposed to "knead" the tube and it seems like it never works out for me. I guess I can try it again.

I've got it sealing my fitting off my OFH for my turbo feed. Hasn't leaked at all. My tube is like 6 years old too

 

[CrackedDSM]

I've got it sealing my fitting off my OFH for my turbo feed. Hasn't leaked at all. My tube is like 6 years old too

Operator error then. Did you cut the tube open and then knead it? Maybe I got a bad batch.

 

[DSMPT]

Supposedly, it has 1/8th NPT thread. Reviews can be deceiving, but no other reviewers seem to have issues with it leaking. That or they just haven't noticed it. It's an AEM X-Series Temp Gauge Sensor(same as the old temp gauge sensors though).

The AME sensors are NPT but if the adaptor is a JDM brand or copy of it, then it may have PT thread. All Japanese brands generally utilize PT (BSPT). Should check it.

 

[Anfurnyy]

Operator error then. Did you cut the tube open and then knead it? Maybe I got a bad batch.

I didnt. Mines a little tube like that picture. I just shake and roll the hell out of it before I use it.

 

[99dsmer4g63]

I've tried PTFE thread tape, and some hercules strength PTFE thread tape as well, but honestly..I'm just an idiot. I can't seem to apply thread tape and it actually work. Instead it always just gets cleaned off the threads and pushed up around the base of the sensor. It's like magic, and I just can't do it. Lol

Then you are putting it on backwards. You need to wrap the tape around the sensor as if you were threading onto the sensor.

After you are done applying your tape thread the sensor into your fingers. If the tape gets tighter you have applied it in the correct directions. If it balls up and starts to unwind and get loose you have installed it the wrong way.

-Daniel

 

[CrackedDSM]

Then you are putting it on backwards. You need to wrap the tape around the sensor as if you were threading onto the sensor.

After you are done applying your tape thread the sensor into your fingers. If the tape gets tighter you have applied it in the correct directions. If it balls up and starts to unwind and get loose you have installed it the wrong way.

-Daniel

I’ve done that. I looked up videos, I even tried it both ways just for giggles, it never seems to actually stick.


Idk. Maybe I’m not pulling it tight enough. Either way, thread tape is magic and I don’t have magic blood.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Finally got around to cleaning the engine bay. It’s not a deep clean, but it made a big difference to me.

Eventually (probably when I take the head off/fix the valve seals) I’ll actually deep clean it. Take all the brackets loose and paint them like new, clean the firewall, and all the spots. Probably paint the brake booster too.

But for now, I’m happy with it. Shows the difference a basic cleaning will make. I’m no longer embarrassed to pop the hood. Lol.

 

[Christo]

Looking good!

 

[CrackedDSM]

Looking good!

Appreciate it!


Don’t suppose you or anyone else is down for a buc’ees meet this weekend sometime?

 

[Anfurnyy]

Finally got around to cleaning the engine bay. It’s not a deep clean, but it made a big difference to me.

View attachment 755186

Eventually (probably when I take the head off/fix the valve seals) I’ll actually deep clean it. Take all the brackets loose and paint them like new, clean the firewall, and all the spots. Probably paint the brake booster too.

But for now, I’m happy with it. Shows the difference a basic cleaning will make. I’m no longer embarrassed to pop the hood. Lol.

You could always ditch that coolant pipe coupler for your coolant sensor and put it in the thermostat housing if you have a spare port on the housing

I also dig the Florida license place FPR bracket! Haha

 

[CrackedDSM]

You could always ditch that coolant pipe coupler for your coolant sensor and put it in the thermostat housing if you have a spare port on the housing

I also dig the Florida license place FPR bracket! Haha

I was thinking about that, but I like my mishimoto rad hose and would have to replace it.

Also: tons of people love that thing. I originally hated it but honestly, I’m keeping it now. Lol.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Finally got a short, small video of turbo noises. Windows are down so you hear more of the exhaust but you can still hear that sweet sweet turbo spool. Barely went 1/3rd throttle at most, so nowhere near a "pull". Just enough to make turbo noises. Love this damn car.

 

[Anfurnyy]

Finally got a short, small video of turbo noises. Windows are down so you hear more of the exhaust but you can still hear that sweet sweet turbo spool. Barely went 1/3rd throttle at most, so nowhere near a "pull". Just enough to make turbo noises. Love this damn car.

Damn that's louder than mine