Help removing water temperature sensor

[Hunter134]

Sometimes I just do stupid things... The water temp gauge cable was completely rusted off on my CASE VAC. I purchased a new guage and sensor. The old sensor was stuck tight in the head. In my infinite wisdom, I put an impact wrench on it, and ripped off the head of the brass insert that screws in the head. Looks like it had leaked at some time and a previous owner used some kind of pipe dope that hardened like concrete! Any suggestion on how to get the brass insert out of the head?

 

[Patsdeere]

Try heating it. If it is brass it should melt before the cast does, so just liquify it and let it come oozing out. You might have to chase the threads a bit after you get everything out.

If you have some that you can still get a pair of pliers on you could try heating up the cast and spinning it out or a quick quench. Just a thought.

 

[John B.]

I have run across this several times. I've never heated them until the brass metlted. You can be asking for trouble if it runs inside or sticks to the engine and threads.
Just drill it out to the biggest size where the drill won't interfere with the threads. Then just take the appropriate pipe tap and retap it.

They do make 4-cornered easy outs for brass fittings. These work great. Or the round easy outs that are not tapered work the best. These don't swell up the fitting that you're trying to remove.

 

[Patsdeere]

I would agree to not melt it out if it is on the tractor. I was assuming it was off the tractor.

 

[Bob]

Heat the remains of the brass almost to the point of melting it to break loose the sealant. Then, let it cool to ambient and, likely, it can be easily removed with an extractor.

 

[showcrop]

Hunter, I wouldn't say stupid. I bet those things break off more than they come out whole. Those square extractors do work well though.