Victoria Shadow Association Members' Forum

Victor_Tettmar

Member

Registered: 2014-07-20

Posts: 6

Diesel tank fuel gauge "sender" Frances/Victoria 34 seal leaking

Hi, We have a problem with a diesel leak around the fuel gauge sender in the original diesel tank under the starboard quarter berth in our Frances 34. There is a washer under the sender and its held in place with five bolts. The sender is un marked but the gauge is vetus. The vetus dealer doesn't recognise the sender. There is an identical unmarked one in the water tank so we assume them to be original. There are two problems- 1. We cannot source a new washer, but yes we can manufacture a replacement, though it may be helpful to know the original manufacturer. 2. There is something blocking pulling the sender out of the tank- it is fitted through a very narrow hole just large enough for the shaft. Has anyone had a similar experience/ any advice as to what the next step might be. The sender is fitted through a much larger " plate" on the top of the tank which feeds all the other pipes and gubbins in and out of the diesel tank, but we are loathe to disturb that.

Simon_Dewing

Member

From: Torquay / Texas

Registered: 2022-08-04

Posts: 62

Re: Diesel tank fuel gauge "sender" Frances/Victoria 34 seal leaking

Not sure what tanks were originally fitted to the V34's.
My V30 had an aftermarket plastic tank when I bought it and now has a larger replacement.

But the 5 hole pattern sounds like a standard SAE sender pattern used on most tanks this side of the Atlantic.

Lots of similar senders available from all the suppliers.

e.g. https://www.amazon.com/Moeller-035722-1 … r=8-2&th=1

New rubber gaskets also readily available.

The float arm will stop you lifting it straight out but with a bit of fiddling around, twisting and turning, they will come out through the hole.

Hope that helps.

Simon

Duncan_Hill

Committee Member

From: Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Registered: 2017-03-14

Posts: 153

Website

Re: Diesel tank fuel gauge "sender" Frances/Victoria 34 seal leaking

A photo of your setup might help. In contrast to Simon's link, my 34 uses a hydraulic (air) sender that only activates when I pump air in to it.

Blue Opal has two tanks in the starboard cockpit locker, joined at the bottom by an unprotected tube..

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Victoria 34 Cutter - 'Blue Opal' (the non-bowsprit edition)

Victor_Tettmar

Member

Registered: 2014-07-20

Posts: 6

Re: Diesel tank fuel gauge "sender" Frances/Victoria 34 seal leaking

Hi Thanks for helpful comments- Trying to post photos. Does that look like a float arm sender? fuel-gauge-sender-Hummingbird.docx

Simon_Dewing

Member

From: Torquay / Texas

Registered: 2022-08-04

Posts: 62

Re: Diesel tank fuel gauge "sender" Frances/Victoria 34 seal leaking

It possibly is.

That is almost certainly the SAE 5 bolt pattern I mentioned.
In which case this would be your gasket in the US.
https://www.fillernecksupply.com/neopre … s-inc-sgn/
There are bound to be suppliers wherever you are based.

There are other types with a vertical float and some which are 'solid state' ultrasonic devices.

Pretty well all of the float type are resistance sensors and are designed to work with an analogue gauge although many (including mine) have been connected to an electronic converter to output NEMA 2K or similar protocol to a data bus.
They also tend to have spade or similar connections on the top for the analogue wiring.

Given the configuration of yours it could well be an ultrasonic device fitted to a fabricated plate (I would still expect to be able to remove it through the hole though).
Which Vetus gauge is used and how is it connected?
That may give a clue as to what is in there.

Other way to find out would be to remove the fuel fill pipe and insert a fuel and waterproof 'borescope' type camera (readily available from Amazon) so you can see into the tank, find out what you are dealing with and decide how to remove it.

Last edited by Simon_Dewing (2023-08-21 21:21:02)

Victor_Tettmar

Member

Registered: 2014-07-20

Posts: 6

Re: Diesel tank fuel gauge "sender" Frances/Victoria 34 seal leaking

Brilliant help Thank you. We have an endoscope thing so will give that a try. Vetus gauge is basic 0, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full, and connected to both water and fuel, with a basic separate switch, between the two tanks.  External switch and gauge are mounted on a piece of ply with connections hidden underneath. Will investigate more and see where we get to Thanks for the steer!

Victor_Tettmar

Member

Registered: 2014-07-20

Posts: 6

Re: Diesel tank fuel gauge "sender" Frances/Victoria 34 seal leaking

Update- We took the whole plate off (when on hardstanding- didn't want diesel sloshing around everywhere on our berth)Fashioned a replacement washer and replaced it all. So far so good- The gauge sender proved to be a simple float sliding up and down a post and was not removable without taking out a fixing at the bottom of it.