Ok, so my sending unit is bad, (among other issues). So I bought a new one, they're relatively inexpensive. So I remove the previous unit, it has quite a bit of rust (all over the place there's rust).... and then I try to put the new one. It goes in about halfway and... its stuck... So I try to force it... no dice. So I take it out. I try scrubbing the little whole it goes in as best I can and pull out some sediment nothing huge. I try putting th enew one in and no dice, the old one won't go back in either. How do I deal with rusty sockets like that?

I probably have to buy another one I think I rounded the edges of the new one.

 

So any idea how to deal with this type of problem? I don't think I have to get rid of the car for it do I? I think maybe scrubbing it with a wire brush and penetrating oil?

 

help?

 

what exactly is the issue? reassembling the unit or putting the whole thing back in the tank?

 

Clarification:

Water temperature sending unit. It's like a glorified bolt. It seems both the socket (engine area) and the original were pretty rusty and have debris. I can't get the new one screwed in, it stops about halfway. What is the safest way to fix the problem?

 

have you tried chasing the threads with a tap?

 

Not sure what that means?

 

a tap and die set that will cut new threads of clean up the ones that are there

 

Didn't know that existed. That's a brilliant solution! THANK YOU!!!!

 

You should be able to rent the set from autozone. just be sure you use the correct size tap.