While getting ready to put a new fuel tank in our '61 MM, I removed the sending unit from the old tank and found that the float arm was stuck in the down position. The float arm is fastened to a small stainless steel shaft that goes into the aluminum body. So I put some penetrating oil on it and gently forced it to swivel. I could get it to reluctantly swivel through it's full range of travel but it wouldn't move effortlessly as it should. I tried different remedies on the shaft without success.
I then took the 4 small screws out and removed the small cover from the top of the unit. Looking down inside I could see where the shaft went through.
The outside of the aluminum body was covered with a good coating of corrosion (aluminum rust?) so I surmised that that's probably what's applying the brakes to the shaft, so with some wishfull thinking I put a small amount of pickling vinegar (7% acetic acid) down in the bottom of the housing, just enough to cover the shaft.
It didn't take much persuation to get the float arm and shaft to work smoothly and easily after that.
I then poured the vinegar out, flushed it 3 or 4 times with tap water, then a few more times with distilled water, gave it a blow job with low pressure compressed air and put it out in the sun for a few hours to dry.
24 hours later it's still swivels nicely, but not too loose.
Good old VINEGAR, that's what did the trick, so it's not just for chips.
Just thought I'd pass this along, for what it's worth.
Freeing up stuck fuel gauge sending unit.
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1092
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:50 am
- Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
- MMOC Member: No
Freeing up stuck fuel gauge sending unit.
Talk slow, think fast!
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3287
- Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:24 pm
- Location: Co.Mayo Ireland
- MMOC Member: Yes
Freeing up stuck fuel gauge sending unit.
Marky B wrote Sending units have all the fun
Naughty - Naughty
Naughty - Naughty