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MG MGB Technical - Fuel leak

I installed a new fuel sending unit on my 73. Used a new gasket and I've tightend up the new ring as tight as it will go, but fuel is still leaking out arounf the sending unit. should I stack another gasket on top of the other? Also, the fuel guage reads only 3/4 full with a full tank. How do I calibrate?
Greg Bowman

Greg,

Calibration information is on Paul Hunt's website 'The Pages of Bee and Vee'

Go to Spanners, then Electrics and then, ginally, to Gauges. The information is all there.

I can't remember the site address, I've got it as one of my favourites! You can probably reach his site through www.mgb-stuff.org.uk.

Regards

Peter
Peter Hills

Greg, don't use a second gasket ring, it will just bunch up and add to the leak you have. Drain your gas tank, using either the plug (if installed) or the fuel pump, using the fuel line directed into a gas can. Remove the sender and gasket, and make sure there is no rust or pitting on the seating surface. Check the gasket for tears or cracks, and replace if necessary. Carefully replace the gasket after putting a thin film of grease on it, and tighten the locking ring carefully on the sender.
Paul K

Forgot to add the link to Paul Hunt's excellent web site, http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk. Great site Paul, and very helpful!
Paul K

Paul, I followed that procedure before, using a new gasket, but no grease. Could the grease make that much difference?
Greg Bowman

The grease may allow the rubber gasket to move slightly without "grabbing" and bunching up, sort of like how we spread a thin film of oil on the O-ring of a filter. It might help, certainly can't hurt. Are you sure the surface of the sender and fuel tank are flat?
Paul K

Let me make sure I have them installed in the right order. Gasket, sender and then lock ring, not sender, gasket and lock ring?
Greg Bowman

Tank, gasket, sender, locking ring is correct. If the tank and sender surfaces are sound and flat then you should not have a problem. Also you do need the three lugs on the tank for the locking ring to engage with.

IME of six senders on two cars those that are currently available do differ significantly from the originals. If you are reading low at full then, like me, you will probably be reading high at empty which is a much bigger problem! See http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk and clock on 'Spanners', 'Electrics', 'Gauges' and scroll to the bottom.
Paul Hunt

Thanks everyone. I've got a spare gasket, I'll reinstall over the weekend and hope for the best.
Greg Bowman

Reinstalled sender sith a new gasket over the weekend. Still leaks. Finally realized that the new sending unit is the culprit. It leaks around the electrical contact.
Greg Bowman

This thread was discussed between 26/09/2002 and 29/09/2002

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