TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Jul 05, 2021 9:22 pm

this may be a bit off topic, but thought I would throw it out to the community.

fuel level float completely missing from a '82 suzuki GS, just a bare rod.

locally sourced spare had a original looking float with some swiss cheese holes in it. the profile of the piece is very nice. some thin wire added to secure it at one time.

found a vw/audi float from a late model almost perfect in size. but could use some trimming.

Question: by trimming the float to my reference size will I be exposing the inner foam to fuel and then be heavier? Would some type of sealant be used on the 'exposed' areas? The outside has a very smooth finish.

maybe I am overthinking this, but I would like to this only once. the fuel level sender is NLA from Suzuki.

Th.anks.
Mike

Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:38 pm

!. Cut new float to shape.

2. Weight it.

3. Put it in gasoline for a day.

4. Weight it again.

Same weight = does not absorb gas .

More heavy + did not work out , but at least you do not have to drop the tank again. :wink:

Tue Jul 06, 2021 8:22 am

I've fixed hundreds of leaking floats by dipping them in this stuff: https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/pnpages/09-0...gLNj_D_BwE Works better than shellac on cork floats too.
Shop around, it comes in quarts too, it'll seal up the ground off area on your donor better than the original skin.

Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:17 am

These are blow molded to get the outside shape.....Usually old school hard rubber or viton. There are a few other plastics that are decent enough with fuel.

Then they are injected with isocyante foam and sealed. Some have also been molded foam and dipped in resin or sprayed. The dipping and spraying is simpler and cheaper which is where you can get defects, quality and lifespan issues.

Explain swiss cheese holes. Do you mean the surface ciating had unwanted "pores" or was it built with rings of holes in it?

One that same not.....The problem with molding items of semi-rigid foam is getting the bubble size the same from one foam batch to another.....to create the same level of boyancy/floatation support for its weight. Holes may have been added in the foam before it was coated which is why I ask.

The product Busdaddy is pointjng out should work well. I have also done a good jokb of patching floats for fuel tank sender units with Indian head sealant.

A product like Permatex motoseal will also be gasoline proof enough but is harder to apply. Ray