Fuel level sender

[Geoffrey]

My petrol gauge is not really working on my 1947 Rover 12. It jerks about a bit but that is it. The alternative oil level reading seems to work fine. I have therefore deduced that the most likely culprit is the sender unit in the fuel tank. I rang Meteor spares and they do not stock anything. It was suggested that one for an MGB could be adapted. I am wondering if anyone else has successfully fitted an alien fuel level sender and what was involved in adapting it?

Geoff

[TonyG]

Geoff,

Moss Europe stock appropriate sender units. They are £40-£45 each. I used one in my P1 Tourer and it works fine. I don’t recall the exact part number but, once removed, it’s easy enough to compare your old one with the pictures on their site. I’ve just searched tank sender on their site and found several that look to be of the same type. You may need to change the float for your old one but do check that it has no holes in it.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

Tony.

[Geoffrey]

Many thanks Tony. That was very helpful. I may find when I get it out that the float does have a hole and is full of fuel so I may be able to repair. This ethanol tends to ferret out tiny pinholes in the soldering.

Regards Geoff

[RobHomewood]

Holden Vinatge and Classic also sell a replacement sender for the Smiths 6 hole sender unit. I put the arm and float from the original sender onto this (because of its float size through the hole I think) but had to adapt the arm becuase the new one only had a single mount for the arm instead of the 2 on the original. Seems to work OK.
However I would check the connections first. Where is the gauge hovering? If it is off the scale at the top or bottom it is probably a poor connection on the sender or gauge or wiring. If its in the middle it is more likely the sender I guess.
By the way Holden also stock the replacement for the oil level sender which is similar but side mounted.

[Geoffrey]

Thanks very much for that Rob. I hope to get it out over the weekend. The gauge registers a bit and moves around a little bit when driving. But does show near empty when the tank is full. It maybe a float full of fuel and not rising.

[Geoffrey]

I have had a look at the tank. I was hoping that I might get access to the fuel sender without any major dismantling. It doesn't tell you how to remove it in the workshop manual. It would seem I have to remove the petrol tank to get access to it. Does anyone know any different? Maybe I am missing something?

Geoff

[TonyG]

Geoff,

I’ve just had a look at my ‘37 Saloon. If your car is the same, there should be an access hole in the boot floor. This is to the offside of centre. I’ve read on this site posts about rotten floors and wooden boot floors etc so it is possible that your car has been repaired at some point in this respect and a panel installed without an inspection hole.

If you cannot get to the sender and need to remove the tank, you will need to drain it and undo the four support nuts and bolts, which you can get to from the wheel arch on each side. It will be a fiddle though as the pipe and wiring will still be connected. I’d suggest lowering it enough to reach in and remove. Hopefully that won’t be necessary though!

Good luck.

Tony.

[Geoffrey]

Many thanks Tony. Good of you to go out have a look! I don't seem to have the inspection hatch......but you have given me an idea. I should be able to pinpoint where exactly. I think I will just cut a hatch and them make up a little lid that will fasten down with set screws. Probably easier than getting the tank out and if I need to get to it again, there it is.

Thanks Geoff

[Geoffrey]

Just to close this one off. I ordered a fuel sender unit from Moss. Their part number C2779. I also found the removable panel in the boot floor to expose the fuel sender unit. It was not very obvious and just needed a gentle prise off with a screwdriver. The sender was a perfect fit and needed no modification. Fuel gauge now works!

Thank you gentlemen for your help

Geoff