Temp sensor blown out of housing

[Highroller]

(Late 1.9 DG) Has anyone ever suffered from their temp sensor being blown out of the thermostat housing? This happened to me today on a short drive. No overheating, no warning, just a plume of coolant steam from the back followed by my warning light and the obvious loss of a reading on the gauge. The sensor has blown clean out of its hole with the clip still in place but l lost the o ring.

I'm not keen on the plastic clips and when I removed it to refit the sensor I thought that it felt "weak". Could this have caused my problem?

Luckily I had a spare o ring and metal clip in my spares box which I used.

[kevtherev]

I'm not a fan either
I would say this was a clip failure nothing more

[Highroller]

Thanks Kev, hopefully I've just been unlucky. I been out for a run and all seems good with the replacement metal clip.
Word of warning for anyone who has the plastic clips, always renew rather than reuse as they seem to deteriorate quickly. Oh! And carry a spare o ring just in case.

[itchyfeet]

Is it a genuine VW housing?
I sent a non genuine Plastic housing back because seal apperatures were 1mm larger than VW housing, I was told nobody has complained but 1mm is a mile with an o ring seal.

[what2do]

Is it a genuine VW housing?
I sent a non genuine Plastic housing back because seal apperatures were 1mm larger than VW housing, I was told nobody has complained but 1mm is a mile with an o ring seal.

'Nobody has complained' - top notch customer service right there!

[Highroller]

sent

Is it a genuine VW housing?
I sent a non genuine Plastic housing back because seal apperatures were 1mm larger than VW housing, I was told nobody has complained but 1mm is a mile with an o ring seal.

Yes, it's an aftermarket unit. The sensor and o ring did feel tight when I put it back though. I haven't had a chance to get under it yet but will do this weekend as it will play on my mind if i don't prove that it was definitely the plastic clip that caused the issue but I have had a decent run out and all seem ok.

[Highroller]

Was underneath the van yesterday and couldn't find anything untoward with the housing, sensor or new clip. Took it for another run and all seems fine. Hopefully case closed.