I just installed a new oem radiator and notice that it does not come with a plug for the temp sensor hole. Should I get the original Volvo seal and plug or can I use a 3/4" rubber expansion plug? Are there any other solutions to this problem?

 

That is the million dollar question................the alternative seems like a trial and error type of fix......

fcpeuro.com sells it for $1.89 and so does ipdusa.com

I guess you could use the expansion plug but I would be afraid of cracking the plastic...and how deep the expansion plug is...if you shove it in and to seal, would the expansion plug need to be at least half way in?...

are there any threads on the hole?.....buy a brass or copper plug with threads and teflon tape the threads...iron plugs probably won't expand like copper or brass.

 

Sounds like you got the wrong rad. It should come either OEM or aftermarket with the hole. I would take it back. I replaced mine twice (150,000 and 300,000 miles) and both were aftermarket . One was brass tanks and the latest was plastic tanks. They both had the hole for the sensor.

 

The only difference is that the Turbos don't need the hole, the n/as do...
Get the plug; I tie a good quality zip tie around the plugs to make sure they stay in.

 

The radiator does have a hole, the thing is that mine does not use the temp sensor on the radiator requiring me to plug the hole.

 

So then you still got the wrong rad , right? Then you can either plug in a dummy sensor or return it for the correct one.

 

No, wrong again. All of the radiators that are made for the Volvo 940 come with the hole. You either instal the sensor or a plug. In my case I need to install the plug because my car doesn't use the temp sensor on the radiator. My problem was that I didn't know that until after I installed the radiator. If I would have known this I would have ordered the plug and seal when I ordered the radiator. The radiator doesn't come with the plug, it is separate. I can't use the one that the old radiator had because the old radiator was metal and uses a different plug than the new plastic radiator.

 

Hi! My plastic plug popped out tonight and I can see that it was held there with a zap strap but I cannot for the life of me tell how? I'm a smart cookie and I can see where it's anchored to the radiator but what I can't tell is where the other end goes? Would you know or be able to help me?

Thank you!!

 

Not sure what you are asking... You still have the plug? The zip tie wraps around and through the radiator's fins--you have to take off the top radiator plate to be able to work the tie through the fins.

 

mine has a spare junk sensor threaded into that hole