Hi guys

I just purchased a 1967 beetle. The fuel guage was working intermittently so I removed the fuel sender unit from the tank (it is a 170mm tube type and has 2 connections) to make sure it was working and then reinstalled it. Prior to removal, it was dry around the seal but since I the reinstallation, it is leaking quite badly. After I refitted the sender I filled the tank to the top.

My questions are: (I live in Sydney)

1. Where is the best place to buy a quality gasket and nylon screw washers or can I use small "O" rings under the screws?

2. I seem to remember that one of the screws should have a copper washer in order to ensure a good earth. None of my screws have a copper washer under them...am I correct in thinking that one of the wires from the sender is an earth?

3. Should I use Silicon or a thread sealer on the screws?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Regards
Greg

in the words of VW54 -vintage ,vintage vintage ........................Vintage veedub at campsie
either that or pick a veedub supplier close to your neck of the woods

Until you can source the proper gasket just cut a temporary one from a cereal packet. Works wonders for most types of gasket.

As for the wiring. Generally there is a wire coming from the gauge to the sender and then from the sender to earth. The tank earth is just a failsafe to stop sparks.

Hmm, I'd avoide silicone, I sealed parts of my tank in the buggey and soon after found that the fuel filter was clogged with something that resembled silicone, coincidence?, don't know, but it didn't happen after I got rid of the silicone seal and replaced it with a rubber one.

The likes of silicone and gasket sealer dissolve when exposed to fuel as it acts a solvent, dissolving it.

Pain in the backside when you can't even patch little cracks in dual port manifold boots with silicone or gasket sealer/goo, it just gets eaten away in a short period of time. Turns sticky and gacky.

Thanks guys!