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Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:10 am

What is the size of the 'O-ring' seal for the fuel sender to tank?

Either the ID/OD or ID/diameter of O-ring, or OD/diameter of O-ring.

The part number is 113 919 131 A.

The seal is for the 1973 - '79 VW bus and the 1971-79 Type 1 beetle.

Thanks -

Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:13 pm

The seal is 58 x 4

And it does not fit early 73's. It was a mid year change. 73-79 Bus, from 2/73 (chassis 2x3 2138 901).

Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:21 pm

Thanks Karl.

A topic on the Beetle forum had this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=229235

Quote: You are better off removing it since you are that far along. Replaceing the fuel lines underneath and whatever filler / vent hoses look like they need it is a hell of a lot easier now.

Also when installing the new sender VW's method for installation differs from the common sense approach. The seal is a big O-Ring and the sender is a twist to fit. You will loose your mind if you attempt to put the O ring on first then try to push & twist to install it. Install the sending unit first with NO O ring seal and twist it into it's proper position. Then take the seal and stretch it over the sending unit and let it fall / snap down into the crevice between the tank & sender. Then pry the sender up with a screw driver just a little bit and the seal will slip in at that spot, walk the screw driver around and the seal will pull itself into the proper position.

Do you think this will work on my '78 VW bus??

Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:23 pm

Karl wrote: The seal is 58 x 4

And it does not fit early 73's. It was a mid year change. 73-79 Bus, from 2/73 (chassis 2x3 2138 901).

Karl, I am guessing this is the ID/diameter of O-ring, right...

Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:03 pm

honeybus wrote: Thanks Karl.

A topic on the Beetle forum had this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=229235

Quote: You are better off removing it since you are that far along. Replaceing the fuel lines underneath and whatever filler / vent hoses look like they need it is a hell of a lot easier now.

Also when installing the new sender VW's method for installation differs from the common sense approach. The seal is a big O-Ring and the sender is a twist to fit. You will loose your mind if you attempt to put the O ring on first then try to push & twist to install it. Install the sending unit first with NO O ring seal and twist it into it's proper position. Then take the seal and stretch it over the sending unit and let it fall / snap down into the crevice between the tank & sender. Then pry the sender up with a screw driver just a little bit and the seal will slip in at that spot, walk the screw driver around and the seal will pull itself into the proper position.

Do you think this will work on my '78 VW bus??

They are nuts! You lubricate the seal. MB makes a rubber seal lubricant that is alcohol based. After a short time the liquid evaporates.

Yes, the numbers always correspond to ID and Cross Section.

Depending on the application, some are in inches and some are in mm.
58 x 4 translates to 2.283 x 0.157" I doubt you will find one that size in inches.....

Here is a inch o ring assortment: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2901

Here is a metric assortment: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91512

But neither go large enough.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:36 pm

Quote: You are better off removing it since you are that far along. Replaceing the fuel lines underneath and whatever filler / vent hoses look like they need it is a hell of a lot easier now.

Also when installing the new sender VW's method for installation differs from the common sense approach. The seal is a big O-Ring and the sender is a twist to fit. You will loose your mind if you attempt to put the O ring on first then try to push & twist to install it. Install the sending unit first with NO O ring seal and twist it into it's proper position. Then take the seal and stretch it over the sending unit and let it fall / snap down into the crevice between the tank & sender. Then pry the sender up with a screw driver just a little bit and the seal will slip in at that spot, walk the screw driver around and the seal will pull itself into the proper position.

agreed with karl, whoever came up with that one might hold their tongue on a technical forum. that's idiotic. i've installed many fuel tank senders and never once had an issue getting the ring to stay in the correct location while doing the job. the sender and the tank have a groove that the o-ring sits in and there is no issue with getting the ring situated properly. if there was an issue, like karl said, all you need is a rubber grease to help locate the ring, but that should not even be needed.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:04 pm

Quote: Then pry the sender up with a screw driver just a little bit and the seal will slip in at that spot, walk the screw driver around and the seal will pull itself into the proper position.

no, i aint pryin nuthin on my tank! i suppose it might not seal if you were just extremely careless, but otherwise it seals just right. just eyeball it and drop straight down onto the ring. if you are that far off with your finesse, then you shouldnt work on cars IMO