Fuel tank sender size

[richardc]

Does anyone know the correct length for a fuel tank sender , the column type not the swinging arm? Or can anyone recommend the correct or suitable type and make for an LM27 27 ? The tank appears to be about 46 cm in depth which is quite deep it seems to me .
Any advice about replacing this item much appreciated
Richard Carvell

[tonyp]

Hello, Richard,
Mine was recently re-fitted with a Wema S5 E350; (350mm long). I took it out recently to check the condition of the tank and fuel and replacing it should be a straight forward process - just two wires and a few screws, as I recall. The only problem I encountered was that I found that the holes in the grp, into which self-tappers had been used to fix it to the tank top, had stripped, so it is leaking slightly.  I have recently been in touch with Rawl Plug, who tell me that their flexi Rawlnut fittings should be suitable for new fixings with the appropriate length brass set screws. 

Tony

[tonyp]

Richard,
Photo of the sender and the (crude!) wiring, which will be replaced with marine quality cable.



Tony

[richardc]

Thanks very much Tony for your reply. This was the make and type is was considering so good to have that confirmed. I can see I have the same issue with the grp holes being stripped as well and this may explain why I had diesel in the bilges, probably due to over filling and then running out of the sender aperture. I might drain the tank as well just to see what's in the bottom, any idea what the tank capacity is ?
Thanks Richard

[tonyp]

Sorry, Richard, not sure of tank size, but someone will post the answer pretty soon, I'm sure.
The black-goo sealant used after my sender had been replaced was not, I suspect, diesel-proof, which also didn't help stop fuel leakage. I used Hylomar Blue, which is diesel-proof, but will have to remove it all again to replace the securing screws with  Rawlnuts. 
Sorry also for the quality of the photo. I had to reduce the original's quality to allow me to use it and went much too far. Let me know if you'd like to see a clearer version actually showing the wiring!
Tony

[richardc]

Hi Tony. The picture was perfect I just clicked on it and it opened in very high resolution. Thanks again for reply so soon.
Regards Richard

[tonyp]

Richard,
Re. draining the tank to check fuel condition, I used a plastic suction pump, (the sort sold to extract oil from sumps - less than £10 on eBay for a 2 litre one) and sucked up samples from the bottom of the tank. I could then pour them into a clean plastic bottle and check for water and contaminants. I put the suction pipe down the fuel sender hole, and by using a stiff pipe could "probe" different parts of the tank.  I put a length of small bore copper pipe on the end of the polythene suction pipe and could bend it to get everywhere in the tank. It saved taking the inspection hatch off. 
Don't know whether that's of any use.
Regards
Tony

[jandane]

Fuel- and water tank capacity 120 litres on a LM27.
This summer I experienced problems with fuel flow. In rough weather and high waves, my engine choked and stopped a couple of times - rather annoying. I took off the big inspection hatch and emptied the tank. I found a bit of plastic, looked like as if from a plastic lid to a bottle, and just big enough to enter the cobber fuel inlet. When the lid was off, the tank was cleaned as well. After at least 30 years without any attendance, the tank was rather clean. A little bit of some greasy, black oily things.
My water tank was cleaned as well and there it was another issue. Very dirty but after a good cleaning, we now drink the water from the ship's tank again

[richardc]

Thanks Tony, I tried that method when I first took on the boat and also found the fuel extracted was very clean but may still empty it I have time .

[richardc]

Thanks Jandane. Surprised how large the tanks are ! Could take a while to drain....

[alisdairjohnston]

Not to drift a thread (he said, drifting..). Does anyone have a data sheet for the LM 32. I was topping off my tanks today with "another" 60l of diesel, and, according to the dipstick, I am still not full.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

[oceandancer]

Hi All,
As a regular annual fuel tank hygene measure I draw off about 3 litres of fuel and accumulated muck from the vicinity of the fuel inlet pipe, the lowest point of the tank. I use a hand pumped vacuum oil extractor for this with a length of 15mm copper pipe attached. The first time I did it shortly after aquiring the boat I found that the fuel drawn off was very dirty and had water in it. I now only use DERV instead of red diesel as this tends to be much cleaner with less water. There is now very little muck in evidence and no water. I believe that some of the black sludge I encountered earl on was probably due to diesel bug. I do not habitually fill the tank at the start of winter as traditionally recommended.

Regards

Mick

[jandane]

Dec 24, 2016 18:18:17 GMT alisdairjohnston said:

Not to drift a thread (he said, drifting..). Does anyone have a data sheet for the LM 32. I was topping off my tanks today with "another" 60l of diesel, and, according to the dipstick, I am still not full.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

250 litres. Go to the Danish LMklubben.dk and there you can find most specifications. Or give me your email and I shall send it to you.
Jan

[jandane]

Mick. With respect to diesel quality, we are very keen on, her in DK, not to use ordinary diesel from automobile diesel tanks. In DK around 20% of the diesel is biodiesel and made of but it has the effect that is very easily creates diesel pest. If buying fuel in a harbour, it is pure dieseldiesel and more resistant to humid and age. SHELL is now on the marked with a new product for 2017. Diesel made out of butane gas and it is more clean, burns better, less pollution, no sulphor and more quiet when engine running. We are waiting