Fuel gauge sending unit

[der58SC]

[SCZ9-1-1]

I don't have a photo but, when new sending units are shipped there is a little pin that is placed in a small hole on the side of the unit a few inches down from the top. The pin holds the float in place so that the unit won't be damaged in shipping or by the recipient when he or she gets it under their Xmas tree all wrapped up and they shake the hell out of it to see what it is. (They are receiving it as a surprise because their partner or best friend is tired of having to go bring them gas when they run out and the cheap bastards don't have AAA). The pin is held in place by a piece of tape. Remove tape and small pin prior to installing in fuel tank. Otherwise you'll either be pulling the engine and fuel tank or cutting a hole in the luggage area above the tank to pull it out.

[der58SC]

tell me how you really feel. Don't hold anything back.

I don't remember seeing any pin on mine when I bought mine brand new. I am about to pull mine out to toss in another one so I will check to see if it is still there. That might be why mine always reads Full when it was actually empty. That or the fact that I never had my gauge grounded.

Ah the simple mistakes we make.
_________________
Like a midget at a urinal, I'm always on my toes

KCCO!!


Strictly Vintage 2s

[bherder]

I wonder if the new sending units are stubby (for 10 gallon tanks) or taller (for 15 gallon tank)? I have a 66 sending unit and a 71 unit and the 71 is about 2 inches taller.

I took my unit apart and cleaned the shaft and it slides nice now. I ohmed it out and it is reading about 60 ohms full, and 160 ohms empty. Does that sound about right?
_________________
My bus resto thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=371654

Parts manual:
http://oacdp.org/

[BarryL]

Not right for an og gauge.

[pig-pen]

Quick question... I have been trying to fix my fuel gauge for a while now...

'64 double cab

NOS gauge in, grounded etc, new cable to sender. reads full when cable is grounded so all ok there...

Pulled out the old sender which the PO had put in, and it was a lever type, which is wrong? only ever showed a quarter tank.

Got a new tube type sender, put that in... just wondering about the earthing of this? The old lever unit had 5 screws, one of which tightened onto a copper strip, so earthing the unit. the others had plastic washers...

installed the new unit with these screws... do I need the plastic washers or should I replace with metal to earth the unit correctly to the tank?
_________________
1954 L227 Type 113
1964 L31 Type 265

[Who.Me?]

[EverettB]

There is ground wire from a sender mounting bolt to the body.

I don't remember seeing plastic washers - they are steel.

You can see the brown ground wire here in this tank photo:

It mounts to a screw hole that is above the center of the tank, visible from the rear of the Bus but behind the fan shroud if the engine is in there.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[pig-pen]

thanks all. I actually just did that anyway today... and all seems to be working good.

The plastic washers were with the lever sender which was in there... I also tried the lever sender and that worked reading correct empty and full, but the float was screwy. Is the float supposed to half fill with fuel? I am assuming it needs some weight to make it lower, and air to make it raise?

Not using it now, just interested.
_________________
1954 L227 Type 113
1964 L31 Type 265

[BarryL]

[pig-pen]

the float in the lever sender yes, was full of fuel. Guess that was why it didn't work! did not float, and is also too stiff to lower itself too. Oh, well... a new tube type is in there now.


EDIT : and all working perfectly. Full when full and empty when empty.
_________________
1954 L227 Type 113
1964 L31 Type 265

[dgsaz]

I just finished a gas tank refurbish. Interesting stuff. As far as I can tell, this was the first time the tank has been out since it was built 65-66.

The tank came out very easy. I found a big seat belt washer under the tank when I removed it.

I took out the sending unit and had a look inside the tank. To my amazement I could not see any rust, anywhere. It looked new inside. The filter was very clean for being over 50 years old.

The entire tap and filter assembly was put together without washers. I used the washers from the kit.

I also took the old sending unit apart just to "have a look". A simple but effective device. Photos attached. Reminds me of something Lucas Electronic would come up with.

Old sending unit apart.

The top of the sending unit. I'll reground everything and hopefully I'll get reading of full tank. Before it read 3/4 when full.

The old and new, tap and filter. Notice how clean the filter is.

It's ready to reinstall in the bus. Probably the most difficult part of the install will be filler neck grommet. I'll heat it up with hot water and use some Windex for lube. Should go back without to much effort. I'm going to put an inline filter on the line out from the tap, behind the firewall, out of the engine compartment.

Cheers,

dgsaz