TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Jan 16, 2016 5:12 pm

What options are there for senders. I know Airhead, they are out of stock.

What about the VDO ones? The tube ones on their website. Are they correct for the type 3 gauge? I don't want it to read empty when its full and full when its empty.

EIS shows a VDO one made in China. Are they all made in China nowadays?

Any help would be appreciated. Tired of not knowing if I am low on gas. Ran out the other day.

Sat Jan 16, 2016 7:33 pm

We have some original VDO senders at iSP West. They have been tested and are good to go.

Sat Jan 16, 2016 7:49 pm

OK. Not shown online. I will inquire directly.

Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:16 pm

Still interested in all options. Who has replaced theirs and where did they get it from.

And wondering if anyone can answer the question about the VDO tube style in their catalog. Do these work?

Sun Jan 17, 2016 2:47 pm

You can try disassembly and replacing the wire/resoldering. The thin wire is kind of a pain in the butt, but it is also an option:

http://telforddorr.com/FuelSenderRepair/

http://www.hallvw.clara.net/fuelsend.htm

Sun Jan 17, 2016 8:55 pm

68vwfasty wrote: What options are there for senders.

Jim Adney rebuilds them. Contact Jim at [email protected]

Mon Jan 18, 2016 10:30 pm

I don't have an original to repair. But if I did I would try.

Anyone buy a replacement in the last year or so and where from?

And has anyone used a current VDO?

Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:15 am

may not be of much help to you guys as i'm in Australia but..
replaced fuel sender in the type3 panelvan a couple of months ago.
got a genuine VDO 170mm tube type same as the original that came out.
part number on the box 224011000017G made in Brazil.
works perfectly.....empty is empty full is full al inbetween ok.
cost me $120 Australian which is about $70 US.
not worth the trouble to muck around with a 50 year old worn out part when a new one is so cheap...

Tue Jan 19, 2016 2:41 am

I got one from cip1, it lasted exactly one year

Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:55 pm

Peters Van wrote:

may not be of much help to you guys as i'm in Australia but..
replaced fuel sender in the type3 panelvan a couple of months ago.
got a genuine VDO 170mm tube type same as the original that came out.
part number on the box 224011000017G made in Brazil.
works perfectly.....empty is empty full is full al inbetween ok.
cost me $120 Australian which is about $70 US.
not worth the trouble to muck around with a 50 year old worn out part when a new one is so cheap...

Yes, this is the current VDO one. I was curious if it would work. Thanks. I see you got the 170mm. I think the original is 165mm. I was tempted to get a 160 just to be safe. Figured worst case with that is I have a little gas reserve when I think I am empty.

Tue Jan 19, 2016 5:40 pm

my panelvan is a 1965 model and the local experts here sold me the 170mm.
seems to work perfectly...
dont know where they measure the size from.... hang on a minute i still have the old one... ( never throw anything vw away )
i assume its the tube length as i just measured the old one and its 170mm.

good luck with yours

Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:22 pm

Thanks for the measurement

Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:00 pm

I was recently told that if you try and disassemble them make sure the nut is not seized underneath. If it is seized then the whole rod inside spins and destroys the Nichrome wire that attaches to it. if you have to you can cut an access flap in the tube and hold the shaft with a pair of plyers to undo the nut.
After that you need to see where the cause of internal resistance might be. If the nichrome wire is detached it is notoriously hard to reconnect. Solder generally doesn't work on nichrome.

Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:03 pm

the fuel sender was purchased from vintage vee dub supplies in Sydney.
the packaging says made in brazil and is genuine VDO.
you can email them at [email protected]
hope this helps

Fri Jan 22, 2016 9:08 pm

So a fuel sender like this one sucks? http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Fuel-Tank-Sending-Unit-1962-74-Type-3-311-919-051-p/311-919-051.htm

I also need one...

Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:41 am

Oddly enough, Summit Racing lists the VDO unit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/vdo-224-217/overview/

Also, egauges.com has it for less:
http://www.egauges.com/6-7-170mm-90-0-Ohms-p/224-217.htm

Sat Jan 23, 2016 4:09 pm

may not be VDO as the egauges site lists as "VDO tube type"
doesnt look like the VDO one to me........could be the cheap copy

Sat Jan 23, 2016 4:32 pm

Donnie, yes these are the two websites I looked at. And they do both say they are by VDO. I called egauges and they confirmed. They could not confirm country of manafacture. They don't stock them they just order from VDO when needed.

Peter, your supplier confirmed to me what they sold you was the current VDO sender. The picture I sent them is identical to the egauges website.

So I am going to order from one of these two. Summit has something else I need so likely them. Once received and in the car and functioning I will respond again to this thread.

Thanks!

Sat Jan 23, 2016 6:12 pm

I'll be watching, since I'm probably going to be shopping for one soon.

Sat Jan 23, 2016 7:26 pm

must be the correct ones by the sound of that.........
good luck guys.........