tightening a new engine coolant temp sensor 2003 4.6
 

My 2003 4.6 coolant temp sensor needed replacing. very difficult to remove since it is behind and below alternator, in valley below intake manifold, behind thermostat housing.
Had to break plastic plug to get socket on it and removed with 3/4 socket with u-joint. Heard that crows foot wrench would work but not enough space. screwed in easily until got to lock-tite. Then need wrench to tighten rest of way. Does any one know a way to tighten without breaking plastic plug?
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...eb2ebdf28d.jpg
2003 4.6 engine coolant temp sensor in drivers side cylinder head behind tstat housing, under intake manifold. difficult to tighten new sensor. Had to remove alternator
tite on threads now need wrench the rest of the way. Does any one know of a way to get this sensor tightened down?

Have you tried the crows foot with a swivel adapter?

No I haven't. I will give it a try. I need a more compact crows foot. The picture is deceiving..
Thanks for responding.

That will likely be the answer. Or both a swivel adapter and a smaller, more compact crows foot.

I have this neat auto-adjusting swivel crows foot that I know would work on that.

It's some specialty tool my father bought years ago whilst working on some marine engines.

It doesn't have to be as tight as you think - it's not a coolant temp sensor, it's a head temp sensor. No coolant around it to leak.

Wow, sounds like a valuable tool. I am going to find a Snap on sales rep and see what they have. Just moved to this area and not familiar with what's available. Thanks for the info.

What tool was able to get the job done? I’m currently getting beat by mine.

I found only the SnapOn Crows foot would work. Other similar Crows Feet would not do it. It went surprisingly smooth when I used the new SnapOn crows foot. Its dimensions were just a little skinnier or something but the other crow foots just didn't fit right. I hope this helps.
Dave Despain

I purchased the SnapOn crows foot on line and had it in two days.

Here's a link to them:

https://shop.snapon.com/categories/F...-inches/809321

We’re you able to get it back on with a snap on crows foot, universal joint extension, and a driver?