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Discussion Topic:
Gas tank sending unit
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Ron3181 |
12-30-2019 @ 6:04 AM
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Member
Posts: 30
Joined: Sep 2018
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my gas gauge just stared reading only 1/4 after a fill up. How do I know if it is a sending unit or gauge problem. It will not go above 1/4 and it takes a while to do that.
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kubes40 |
12-30-2019 @ 6:17 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3406
Joined: Oct 2009
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If it was working fairly well until just recently, my betting money says it's the float. They do tend to leak after many years of use. A simple test and replacement if that proves to be the case. Once you have removed the sending unit, simply shake the float. You'll know instantly if there's fuel within it. If you buy a repop float, hold it under water for a half hour to be certain it is okay. Many are not.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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juergen |
12-30-2019 @ 7:39 AM
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Member
Posts: 258
Joined: Jan 2010
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Another test you can do is to disconnect the wiring at the sender and not let it touch ground. Turn on the power to the instruments. The gauge should stay at zero. Then ground the sender wire WHILE WATCHING THE GAUGE. The pointer should rise beyond 1/2. Before it gets beyond 3/4, unground the wire or you might burn out the gauge. If it rises, the gauge is good as well as the wiring. I suspect the wiring is good as the gauge pointer does rise when attached to the sender. If it doesn't move at all and since it did with the sender, your ground is not grounding and try another bare body part.
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Ron3181 |
12-30-2019 @ 8:54 AM
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Member
Posts: 30
Joined: Sep 2018
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Thanks for the help. I took the sending unit out and the float was the cork type it did not seem to be full of gas, I cleaned the inside real good with contact cleaner, put everything back together and still the gauge would only show 1/4 or less. Very little movement of the needle.
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MG |
12-30-2019 @ 9:46 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1261
Joined: Nov 2009
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Your cork float is probably saturated with gas and will have to be replaced. See this thread to resolve your problem - Page 1 > https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=18&Topic=4990&keywords=cork%20float It's a two page thread with pictures. Page 2 > https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=18&Topic=4990&srow=16&erow=30&keywords=cork%20float Buy two of these and epoxy them together to replace your cork float > https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/ProductDetail/A-9313-C_GAUGE-FLOAT-ONLY?fromCategory=Products/model-a/gas-gauge
This message was edited by MG on 12-30-19 @ 11:10 AM
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Ron3181 |
12-30-2019 @ 11:09 AM
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Member
Posts: 30
Joined: Sep 2018
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Thanks for all the help. I did what was stated in the site you sent me. I took the sending unit out grounded it left the wire on, turned the key on moved the arm to show full and the gauge went to full. Moved the arm to half full and the gauge went to half full. It is the cork float. Thanks again for all the help.
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Ron3181 |
12-31-2019 @ 4:44 AM
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Member
Posts: 30
Joined: Sep 2018
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You were so right, replaced the float and the fuel gauge is working like new. Thanks again.
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