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Mon Sep 11, 2017 6:44 am

So for the last week I have had my 77 Westy in the garage for a few reasons. One of those reasons is that it's been running like shit and dying after about 10 minutes when its all warmed up. My engine was pulled and gone through pretty good a little over a year ago, all the FI stuff was removed and replaced, new seals, new ones that were missing, basically got it all complete and stock parts replaced PO hacks. The temp sensor II was not replaced at this time since everything was working and they were NLA unless used at the time. It is also pretty rusted in place in the head at this time. I got my hands on some TSII sensors and for at least a week I have been spraying my current one with PB Blast and getting a closed end 12 point box wrench on it and tapping at it with a small hammer, with no movement. I really don't want to break the sensor in the head or kill the threads but its hard to get much force on the wrench in that space.
Went to a Flea Market yesterday, mostly looking for records and tapes but I always look for cheap tools I might need, and one guy with some FIAT wrenches on his table showed me over to where he had some "Air cooled VW tools" where I found this:

Huge score for me at $15. if you search the Snap-On part number it comes up SPECIFICALLLY as a VW Temp sensor tool. I'm hoping this improves my situation!

Mon Sep 11, 2017 6:50 am

Nice score. I love flea markets.

Mon Sep 11, 2017 7:26 am

Yeah, this vendor is pretty cool, I actually worked at this Flea Market for many years during high school and college, makin' pizza. Many of the lifers there remember me still. This guy in particular is kind of new and specializes in auto repair tools. A while back I was there and spotted a Hazet hub-cap tool set he had, it was missing maybe 2 wrenches, easily acquired on their own. I think he was selling it for like $150, which I personally would never spend on that, having a later bug and no need for the tools themselves, and also not being a VW collector. I pointed him to this site which he had no idea about. I'm sure that Hazet set lasted a week tops in the classifieds. He remembered that and knocked $10 off the price.
Had a lot of old Fiat and Ford tools too, branded ones. I almost bought a 32-36mm Fiat wrench for use on the axle nuts but I'm not sure it's a good idea or that there is enough clearance to use it. The wrench is about a foot long. 32mm on one side and 36 on the other, closed box wrench and an open are available. Would I still be able to use a hand sledge on the end to break that nut? Better to get a torque tool or socket? Not sure. But the wrenches are like $20 so really don't want to buy one if I can't use it. His old, european car tools aren't going anywhere, lots of specialty stuff, bent wrenches, angled sockets, etc. I will be back with more cash in a few weeks.

Mon Sep 11, 2017 7:33 am

Nice thing about buying this way? Obtained cheap enough you'll always get your money back come resale time. Snap-On lifetime warranty, professional grade they won't wear out in your lifetime. The only downside people know what they are and will try to steal. :D having good quality tooling makes jobs easier, that's a fact.

Mon Sep 11, 2017 7:38 am

Zundfolge1432 wrote: Nice thing about buying this way? Obtained cheap enough you'll always get your money back come resale time. Snap-On lifetime warranty, professional grade they won't wear out in your lifetime. The only downside people know what they are and will try to steal. :D having good quality tooling makes jobs easier, that's a fact.
100% Zund. I am inspired by your swap meet finds. Guy had quite a few ACVW tools that "no one ever looks at." I might slowly buy em up. Another guy that had old 60s VW hubcaps in nice shape, $5. I left those alone too, but he had an old Ford dealer plate I bought for my dad's 65 Galaxie. $3. Need a breaker bar and the cheapest I found was $15. Think I'll keep lookin' for a bit...
The dirt mall is the best mall!

Mon Sep 11, 2017 7:57 am

That looks like your typical O2 sensor socket, unless it's a weird size.

Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:03 am

13 mm but that's not a weird size for a VW

Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:12 am

Yeah, metric O2 sensors are in the 22mm area. This is a small, 13mm socket. All references list the socket as a VW/Audi/Porsche temp sensor socket.
There are posts on this site in other forums where people have made them from old long reach 13mm sockets, but it's nice to have one specifically made for this purpose.

Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:22 am

ROCKOROD71 wrote: Guy had quite a few ACVW tools that "no one ever looks at." I might slowly buy em up.

If he has an original VW autostick flex plate clamipng tool that holds the flex plate in place symmetrically whilst torquing down the gland nut, I'll be shocked (and I'll take it.)

Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:39 am

sb001 wrote: ROCKOROD71 wrote: Guy had quite a few ACVW tools that "no one ever looks at." I might slowly buy em up.

If he has an original VW autostick flex plate clamipng tool that holds the flex plate in place symmetrically whilst torquing down the gland nut, I'll be shocked (and I'll take it.)

If you find the tool # in the technical tab on this site I'll write it down and look for it. You never know....

Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:26 am

Whelp, this little tool did the trick! Got the temp sensor out in about 5 mins vs a week of failure with the wrench. Had to choose between 3 ratchets to get one that would fit in the space to get it nice and square but the sensor came out with hand pressure after that.

Unfortunately, this didn't solve my issue of the engine crapping out when it reaches operating temp. Takin this over to the bay forum after I try a few other things and do scheduled maintenance.

Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:29 am

ROCKOROD71 wrote:

One needs a 14mm version of this to R&R an EGR temperature sender on a 2004 Nissan Frontier, tool is tough to find, and not cheap. My Frontier needs this done, figure I'll get a 14mm deep socket someday and cut a groove into it for the wire. Or I'd deed to cut/re-solder the wire.

Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:49 pm

ROCKOROD71 wrote: Zundfolge1432 wrote: Nice thing about buying this way? Obtained cheap enough you'll always get your money back come resale time. Snap-On lifetime warranty, professional grade they won't wear out in your lifetime. The only downside people know what they are and will try to steal. :D having good quality tooling makes jobs easier, that's a fact.
100% Zund. I am inspired by your swap meet finds. Guy had quite a few ACVW tools that "no one ever looks at." I might slowly buy em up. Another guy that had old 60s VW hubcaps in nice shape, $5. I left those alone too, but he had an old Ford dealer plate I bought for my dad's 65 Galaxie. $3. Need a breaker bar and the cheapest I found was $15. Think I'll keep lookin' for a bit...
The dirt mall is the best mall!

Where in MA is this flea market?

Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:54 pm

APPLEGREENVW wrote: ROCKOROD71 wrote: Zundfolge1432 wrote: Nice thing about buying this way? Obtained cheap enough you'll always get your money back come resale time. Snap-On lifetime warranty, professional grade they won't wear out in your lifetime. The only downside people know what they are and will try to steal. :D having good quality tooling makes jobs easier, that's a fact.
100% Zund. I am inspired by your swap meet finds. Guy had quite a few ACVW tools that "no one ever looks at." I might slowly buy em up. Another guy that had old 60s VW hubcaps in nice shape, $5. I left those alone too, but he had an old Ford dealer plate I bought for my dad's 65 Galaxie. $3. Need a breaker bar and the cheapest I found was $15. Think I'll keep lookin' for a bit...
The dirt mall is the best mall!

Where in MA is this flea market?

Ya he's just curious won't go over and buy a few things. :D

Wed Sep 13, 2017 11:09 am

Zundfolge1432 wrote: APPLEGREENVW wrote: ROCKOROD71 wrote: Zundfolge1432 wrote: Nice thing about buying this way? Obtained cheap enough you'll always get your money back come resale time. Snap-On lifetime warranty, professional grade they won't wear out in your lifetime. The only downside people know what they are and will try to steal. :D having good quality tooling makes jobs easier, that's a fact.
100% Zund. I am inspired by your swap meet finds. Guy had quite a few ACVW tools that "no one ever looks at." I might slowly buy em up. Another guy that had old 60s VW hubcaps in nice shape, $5. I left those alone too, but he had an old Ford dealer plate I bought for my dad's 65 Galaxie. $3. Need a breaker bar and the cheapest I found was $15. Think I'll keep lookin' for a bit...
The dirt mall is the best mall!

Where in MA is this flea market?

Ya he's just curious won't go over and buy a few things. :D

Raynham sir, right off Rt. 24, not too far from you.
He is an outdoor vendor, always there, just sells tools, in the front/side of the building. Buy away!

Wed Sep 13, 2017 11:40 am

ROCKOROD71 wrote:

If you find the tool # in the technical tab on this site I'll write it down and look for it. You never know....

Tool #184.

Someone actually has one for sale in the classifieds but they are in France:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1783693

Wed Sep 13, 2017 11:47 am

sb001 wrote: ROCKOROD71 wrote:

If you find the tool # in the technical tab on this site I'll write it down and look for it. You never know....

Tool #184.

Someone actually has one for sale in the classifieds but they are in France:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1783693
Noted. Although he mostly has hand tools. I will keep my eye out. Knowing what it looks like helps.

Wed Sep 13, 2017 5:35 pm

ROCKOROD71 wrote: sb001 wrote: ROCKOROD71 wrote:

If you find the tool # in the technical tab on this site I'll write it down and look for it. You never know....

Tool #184.

Someone actually has one for sale in the classifieds but they are in France:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1783693
Noted. Although he mostly has hand tools. I will keep my eye out. Knowing what it looks like helps.
Thanks for the info on the flea market.I'll check it out when I have a chance. 8)

Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:15 pm

ROCKOROD71 wrote: Need a breaker bar and the cheapest I found was $15.

$12 at Harbor Freight. Take your 20% or 25% coupon with you and it's even less.

Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:41 pm

I've broken several HF breaker bars. Went to Sears and bought one of theirs. No breakage since.

Of course, I never should have used a 1/2 inch breaker bar while attempting to remove a gland nut :wink: .

Tim