1982 RX-7.

Hi all, I need to remove the round plate on the top of the gas tank, left side of the car behind the rear tite. It as two wires going to it, I'ts the Gas Gauge. Anyway I loosing fuel from there, I want to remove this cover and fix it. What do you guys out there suggest, make a gasket or use a type of silicone to stop this problem.

regards

Xtreise

 

The sending unit has a rubber gasket on it and the pick up lines have a cork gasket.
I don't think silicone and gas go together.

 

Isn't this one for the Fuel gauge only..or is it for the fuel pump as well...
I'm losing gas from there and I have a short...fuel gauge don't read right unless I play with the wires ...What can I use to stop the fuel from leaking if the gasket is gone ??

 

I don't know what model you have but I replaced the sending unit (gas gauge) in my 84gsl/se gas tank and it had a thin rubber gasket. It has to be thin because the screws aren't very long so they don't puncture the tank. Have you had the unit out of the tank?

 

Your car does not have an in tank fuel pump. The pump is external. When you take the sending unit out of the tank, be prepared for all of screws that hold in the sending to strip out and break. They are extremely small and are practically impossible to get out without stripping the heads. If you are going to attempt to remove them, soak them with PB Blaster for a day or two first.

I would recommend making a cork gasket out of a roll of gasket material. You should also be able to find some kind of fuel safe sealant at your local parts store if you want some extra insurance. Don't go using silicone though, because I'm 95% sure that it isn't meant to be used with parts soaked in fuel (like fuel senders, and head gaskets). Hope this helps...

Jamie

 

Thanks Glaze..
Thunder... no the thingy is not out yet..I'll have to check this out maybe tonight.
Did your screws braek off yours as well when you replaced it ??

 

Of the many I've removed, few of the older years come out with out stripping or snapping screws. Along with a good soak from PB, an impact screw driver helps immensely. Only problem is you may need to drop the tank to have enough room. If you strip or snap a screw, you will need to drop the tank for repair anyway.

 

The screws are 4mmx.070. I re-tapped all of them and bought new screws.

I cleaned the rubber gasket with a wire brush and ground down the metal flange to remove the rust.

I then applied a liquid gasket that is fuel safe (NOT silicone) on both sides of the rubber gasket and on the screw threads.

I no longer leak....

 

When replacing the screws, staless steel allen heads work nicely if you can find them. Otherwise, use anti-seize on the steel ones.

 

Thanks guys I'm tryying this out tonight...dioI need to lower the gas tank.. ??

 

Ok so now I have on escrew that is stripped, can I use one a little bigger to replace it ??

 

Might as well drain the tank and drop it. You can drill and retap the broken ones. The stripped ones you can slot the head and try a straight blade impact screw driver. They are not expensive and I wouldn't be without one.

 

Go to the store and buy a tap 5 mm x .80 ($6.00) and 5/32 drill bit ($2.00) and a new screw ($0.50).

Drill out the stripped hole. Stick the tap in the hole, forward 1/4 turn, back 1/8 turn, until you no longer fill resistance. Use an adjustable wrench to grip the tap, if you don't have a handle.

I had to redo 2 when I done mine.

I also bought all new screws...

 

Ok guy's many ...many thanks ...I'll get back.
Keep on Rx-ing

Xtreise