Tube is loose on the Fuel Level Sender. Is it supposed to be this way?

[chrisp]

I went to siphon gas from my tank via the fuel level sender hole. It's the first time I have ever taken this apart in the 8 yrs I've owned the car. I unscrewed the six nuts and attempted to lift out the sender unit. I lifted it very gently and when I peeked inside the aluminum tube that the float is inside of is disconnected from the unit. I got it back together and it feels like the tube sits on the bottom anyway and may be self supporting but I'm not sure. Is this a problem? Does the fact that it's separated mean I need a new fuel sender unit?

[vash]

yea, it isnt suppose to do that.

[88-diamondblue]

Mine was like that and eventually broke the wires inside and had to be replaced. There should be a nut on the bottom holding a plastic piece the keeps the tube in place.

[joefrantz]

Yes --- a very tiny nut as shown in the pic below at the upper right. I disassembled mine and found a broken float -- the two black pieces are supposed to be one. The whole assembly is still available new for about 50 bucks.

Joe

[joefrantz]

Oops -- sorry -- make that 100 bucks.
the part number in Pelican 901-741-801-00-M82.

[richde]

$50? Where?

IIRC it's $105 on Pelican, not that it seems expensive in any way...

edit: nailed by the late update!

[chrisp]

thanks guys. i was able to fish mine out and I slipped the aluminum tube back onto the top of the unit. It's a pretty tight fit so I assumed that's what keeps it together. I'll go back and look for the nut and plastic piece.