gas tank sending unit rubber boot leaking

[jbclem]

Every time I fill up my 1965 bug gas tank, gas will leak through a split in the flexible rubber boot that's part of the gas tank sending unit. Since I'm missing the cardboard backside dash shield, I'm getting a strong gas smell for days until the gas level goes down. Is there a sure fire way to seal or replace this rubber (neoprene?) boot?

John

[mrbigmax]

I don't know of any rubber boot as part of the sending unit. There is a gasket that goes between the sending unit and the gas tank (#58 in diagram below.)
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wolfsburg_new/fuelsystem/index.cfm
If that gasket goes bad, you get the fuel smell you are talking about. It's a 10 minute repair.

[glutamodo]

That rubber boot for VDO tank sending units is not available as a separate part. It's sort of a permanent part of the tank unit - the ring that holds it in place is peened into the metal housing and would be difficult to get off of there.

That's part of why I like the old early and mid 60s Magura brand tank units because they don't have a boot, they have an O-ring which can be replaced.

That style of sending unit has been reproduced though - one of many repro tank units made the last dozen years or so. I've bought It think most of the various ones out there, and when I heard about the VDO replica I thought it would be good, and bought one.

http://www.eisparts.com/113919049C.html

And it was pretty decent, But... unfortunately on the one I got, the rubber boot was too thick, and would bunch up and not allow full movement of the float.

If you want to do way too much reading on the topic of mechanical (and some electric) gauges and sending units - it's here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=231562

-Andy