Fuel Leak at Sender

[M & M]

I was wondering if anyone else has had similiar problems.

This is my second gasket that has gone bad after about three months of use.

I have an aluminum tank. The gasket is standard rubber that comes with SW sending unit. I believe the problem is related to the fact that our fuel here is mixed with up to 10% alcohol (corn meal ) that must be reacting with the aluminum and causing the rubber gasket to break down over that three month or so period of time.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mike

[Cobra20646]

Mike,

Had similar symptoms I guess.... smell of gas, but no sign of leakage. Took sender off and found the cork gasket had dried up and cracked. Couldn't find a gasket (in a hurry) so got some paper gasket material from auto parts store and cut my own. This stuff is not very thick, so I made about three or four (can't remember exactly) of them and stacked them up. Each "layer" was stuck together with peratex aviation form-a-gasket sealant, as well as between the sender and the tank. After two years, everything is still sealed up. The permatex is not very pretty if your using it on exposed parts, but with careful application, you can minimize the effect

- Jim -

[techinspector1]

The SW part number 72030 gasket is listed as being made of Neoprene and I'm not real sure, but I don't think alky will eat it. Are you using genuine 72030's ? Anyway, doesn't matter, Jim has the fix. Plain old hot rodder ingenuity.

[M & M]

Thanks Guys!

I can be positive on the part number but my guess is that it is the one you are talking about. I have a friend that did some research and said that certain aluminums when contacted with alcohol (methanol) will cause the gasket to deteriorate.

A tech from SW was supposed to call but that was days ago. I guess I will have to call them back. Cannot believe that I am the only one that has encountered this problem. Thought they might have some wise words and substitute gasket. If not I was planning on heading in the direction of Jim’s suggestion.

Thanks,
Mike