Dropped oil level sensor, cracked the float. Any suggestions on how to repair it?

[Headhunter38]

As the title says, I dropped my oil level sensor and cracked a piece off of the float. Does anyone have any suggestions on how go fix this? I'm leaning towards a high heat epoxy or glue. I know replacement using a junkyard part is the ideal solution, however I always try to repair things before fully replacing them.

[timsrv]

I wouldn't recommend trying to repair because if the glue fails, that piece could end up in a bad spot. If that sensor worked before, I suspect it would still work (even with that edge broken off). FYI, that part is one of the few things still available through Toyota. I've purchased a couple of them (last one ~ a year ago). They are expensive though. It's Toyota part #89491-27020 (https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~sensor~engine~oil~level~89491-27020.html?vin=&make=Toyota&model=Van&year=1987&submodel=&extra1=&extra2=&filter=()) and they go for ~$210.00 USD. FYI, it also comes with the gasket/seal.

FYI, it's been my experience that these fail @ ~ 150k miles. When they fail the result is an oil light that comes on even when there's plenty there. For that reason I replace these whenever I rebuild an engine. Tim

[Headhunter38]

Ouch 200 bucks, that's pricey. I was already into the transmission rebuild at the same time for a few hundred bucks and I couldnt bring myself to shell out another 200 for the sensor. So I decided to gamble and try expoxying it. Figure if it falls off for some reason it will be too large to large to make it past the pickup screen. I drilled a small hole using a hand drill at an angle through both pieces. I then took a paper clip and roughed the surface using wire cutters. Made little gouges along the paper clip to increase mechanical grip for the epoxy. Using regular jb weld and coated the paper clip and the two cracked surfaces. Ill see how long this holds up. If it fails or if I have the sensor out for any reason I will update this thread with what I find.