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GM Open element sensor as a coolant sensor?
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:54 pm
by The3rdMan
Hello everyone,
I have two open element GM IAT sensors. I was wondering if I could one as a coolant sensor (CLT) for the ms-II? Or does it have to be a closed element for the CLT?
Thank you
Re: GM Open element sensor as a coolant sensor?
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:02 am
by fury fan
Electrically they would interchange, turbo guys reportedly used the closed-element sensor for IAT as it's more robust.
Haven't heard of anyone using an open-element in coolant, though. I would be concerned about corrosion and whether the wire leads at the 'bulb' are insulated. It might work, but for how long???
I'd recommend spendign the $10-15 and getting the correct one - it's not worth the potential hassles you might face either immediately or down the road.
Re: GM Open element sensor as a coolant sensor?
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:43 am
by rusty105
fury fan wrote:Electrically they would interchange, turbo guys reportedly used the closed-element sensor for IAT as it's more robust.
Haven't heard of anyone using an open-element in coolant, though. I would be concerned about corrosion and whether the wire leads at the 'bulb' are insulated. It might work, but for how long???
I'd recommend spendign the $10-15 and getting the correct one - it's not worth the potential hassles you might face either immediately or down the road.
I thought the turbo guys were using the open element sensor for the faster responce time needed for boosted applications.
Using the open element in coolant? I would think the legs on the element would be shorting through the coolant, or at least altering the resistance to give you a false reading. Any reason you want to use the open element?
Rusty
Re: GM Open element sensor as a coolant sensor?
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:12 am
by Andy
Original poster here under a different account.
Thanks all for the responce. Theres no real reason behind using an open element for the CLT, it was just that I had two of them lying around.
It looks like the wise choice would be to stick with whats been done and tested
Time to visit the wreckers!
Thanks again for the help.
Andrew
Re: GM Open element sensor as a coolant sensor?
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:18 am
by fury fan
rusty105 wrote:
I thought the turbo guys were using the open element sensor for the faster responce time needed for boosted applications.
Using the open element in coolant? I would think the legs on the element would be shorting through the coolant, or at least altering the resistance to give you a false reading. Any reason you want to use the open element?
Rusty
You're right, I've read they use the open element but sometimes silicone the the bulb to make it last longer.