Serious Q -- can I stick an engine temp sensor in my mouth w/ the engine running? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mölyapina · #1 07-31-2014, 07:58 PM

I want to know where my temperature gauge needle is when my car hits 100*F. Since this is morealess body temperature, would it work OK for me to just stick the sensor in my mouth (as if I were taking my temperature) with the engine running? I'd obviously have to plug the sensor hole with something and clean the sensor before I stick it in my mouth.

P.C. · #2 07-31-2014, 08:22 PM

Fzzzt!

KarTek · #3 07-31-2014, 08:23 PM

It should work and you don't even need to have the engine running, just the ignition on. Also, I would not stick the sensor in my mouth if it had been in contact with antifreeze. Keep in mind that you will have to ground the body of the sensor somehow to complete the circuit unless it's a two wire sensor.

INSIDIOUS · #4 07-31-2014, 09:05 PM

Use water, adjust it with an oral thermometer. Careful to not over range the thermometer

spdrun · #5 07-31-2014, 09:07 PM

Put a condom over it -- gets rid of the shock and antifreeze(*) hazards. Or just stick it under an armpit.

(*)- Antifreeze is toxic, but not THAT toxic. As in a drop won't actually harm you. If it were that toxic, a lot of mechanics would be dead or have kidney ailments from the fumes or absorption through skin.

Another interesting fact is that ethylene glycol isn't terribly toxic in and of itself. It's metabolized by the liver into toxic oxalic acid, but ethanol is a competitive inhibitor of that metabolic pathway. One treatment for antifreeze poisoning is to essentially keep the victim drunk until the antifreeze is excreted. So before the OP tries this test, he should get roaring drunk. For his own safety.

Mr.Kenny · #6 07-31-2014, 09:16 PM

Honestly; if they don't want us to drink antifreeze, why do they make it so tasty sweet?
I mean who can possibly resist? Eh?

tbomachines · #7 07-31-2014, 09:20 PM

I thought the engine temp sensor was a suppository?

Mölyapina · #8 07-31-2014, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

It should work and you don't even need to have the engine running, just the ignition on. Also, I would not stick the sensor in my mouth if it had been in contact with antifreeze. Keep in mind that you will have to ground the body of the sensor somehow to complete the circuit unless it's a two wire sensor.

I hadn't thought about the sensor body providing the ground... duh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

Put a condom over it -- gets rid of the shock and antifreeze(*) hazards. Or just stick it under an armpit.

Hmm, good idea. I could probably just cut a finger off of a disposable glove, too -- that should accomplish the same thing.

Mölyapina · #9 07-31-2014, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I thought the engine temp sensor was a suppository?

Hm?

jake12tech · #10 07-31-2014, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I thought the engine temp sensor was a suppository?

Damn it. You beat me to that one. I digress though.

Yes, I do hear it is a more accurate reading used as a rectal thermometer.

INSIDIOUS · #11 07-31-2014, 09:31 PM

You can tell the difference by the flavor.

Mölyapina · #12 07-31-2014, 09:34 PM

Oooooh, just Googled "suppository". Tom's comment makes ore sense now

.

But yeesh guys,

John Galt · #13 07-31-2014, 09:39 PM

Yes, the consensus for the correct answer to the question is:

stick it up yer a$$.

iwrock · #14 07-31-2014, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

Put a condom over it -- gets rid of the shock and antifreeze(*) hazards. Or just stick it under an armpit.

(*)- Antifreeze is toxic, but not THAT toxic. As in a drop won't actually harm you. If it were that toxic, a lot of mechanics would be dead or have kidney ailments from the fumes or absorption through skin.

Another interesting fact is that ethylene glycol isn't terribly toxic in and of itself. It's metabolized by the liver into toxic oxalic acid, but ethanol is a competitive inhibitor of that metabolic pathway. One treatment for antifreeze poisoning is to essentially keep the victim drunk until the antifreeze is excreted. So before the OP tries this test, he should get roaring drunk. For his own safety.

I accidentally ingested a few drops while working on my old E55, splitting the cooling system (engine coolant and intercoolers)... And I'm still alive!