fuel gauge - sending unit

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My fuel gauge seemed to be stuck on 2gals no matter how much gas was in the tank. Having read up from previous forums I tested to see if gauge or sending unit was out. Gauge was ok, pull wire on sending unit is empty and ground the wire to sending is full.
So I pulled the sending unit out of the tank (drivers side). It is easiest to remove the trunk lid spring to give some extra room. Unscrew the retaining ring and manipulate the unit and float from tank. In my case the float arm was not moving and I was able to gently force it to move up and down.
The unit case was corroded and there was a rusty weight part way down to the float. As you can see in the pict the float had fuel level marks from where it had been sitting. I removed the cover plate and the unit was full of gas. Also there was a lot of grey goo inside. One should be very careful when cleaning as the wires to measure resistance are very tiny and could be broken easily.
My question is …is the unit being full of gas with the electrical resistance wires ok? There was no seal or remnants of one on the cover.
I've cleaned the unit out and the level works as it should. Before I reinstall do I need to try and seal the unit case or not?
 
As far as I am aware, to work the float must be sealed with air. Otherwise what will cause it to lift when the fuel level rises?
 
I just got mine back from the rebuilders. Looks like brand new. I can't for the life of me remember what their name is? But I can find out for you if you like. Total was about $150.00.
 
Check May/June Tiger Tales

Al Gagnon wrote a nice article about his fuel sending unit. The article appeared in the May/June edition of the Tiger Tales. Check it out if you still have the newsletter. He had his repaired at Tri Starr LLC in Seneca Falls, NY. You can contact them at (315) 712-0071 or check them out at www.tristarrradiator.com.

Good luck!
David
 
Same

I did the same as you cleaned and reinstalled. No seal was present on removal and it had the same symptoms as yours. It makes me nervous as well but not as much as the old BMW cycle with the same unsealed type of sending unit, "more or less," between my legs and a electric internal fuel pump to boot.
 
Terrific solution for a missing or worn out sender- My Alpine and Tiger both had no senders. I ordered a sender from Jegs for $24.99. It is a 240 ohms empty, 33 ohms full unit. Tried the sender at both bottom and top positions, and it seems to read correctly, or at least close. I had to make a c- shaped retainer for the sender, and tapped the retainer to receive machine screws to hold the sender to the tank. You can buy the retainers for a few bucks, but I made mine. Sender is part # 885-cp7591. Bill.
 
steven said:
As far as I am aware, to work the float must be sealed with air. Otherwise what will cause it to lift when the fuel level rises?
Click to expand...

Thanks but the float is ok. It's just the sending unit that is full of gas.
 
Thanks for replies. Since posting I had waited to reinstall and found that the rod to the float had frozen in place in the unit. Now bathed in WD40 and it still isn't as free as when it was first cleaned. So I bent the rod away from the back of the unit. Seems to have helped. I'll leave. Out for a couple days to see if it remains so. I've been eyeing other Smiths units from MG and Jag to see if there is one that is similar. Anyone ever seen one that might work? Also will follow up with Jegs one.
 
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