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Fuel Tank Protector - Removing


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#1 dunkyb

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 11:27 AM

Hi all,

 

Feel a bit silly having to ask this, however please can someone tell me how to remove the plastic studs that hold the fuel tank protector

cover on MPIs in place?

 

They look like in the attached image.

 

I can't see a way other than pulling them with a lot of force, potentially breaking the protector?  Look like they're the type of stud that opens up 

once inserted?

 

I want to test my fuel sender / wiring / gauge, as my car only ever shows 3/4 tank when brimmed full.

 

Many thanks!

Duncan

 

 

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#2 Quinlan minor

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 12:06 PM

So that's what that is!  I've had one rattling around in my boot for ages.

Any chance of a photograph showing where it fits?



#3 dunkyb

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 12:57 PM

Sure, let me go and take a photo, 2 secs...



#4 dunkyb

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 01:53 PM

Here is a picture of the protector on the side
of the tank. If anyone can shed a light as to how to pull it off without damaging it?

 

p.s. I have no idea why, but my iPhone insists on rotating the pics I upload (even if I rotate it before uploading it, it still comes out wrong!!

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Edited by dunkyb, 01 May 2020 - 01:54 PM.


#5 DeadSquare

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 02:25 PM

You have probably got an Australian phone.



#6 Quinlan minor

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 04:01 PM

Many thanks for that, Duncan!

I spent ages trying to figure out what that thing was for.

Tried getting it to work as a battery terminal protector (saw one once, where the jack bridged the terminals and caused a modicum of excitement) or some sort of spare wheel clamp.

 

As to your original question:

They need levering out. They tend to break but, if you can squeeze them with a pair of snipe-nosed pliers while levering the caps, you may be able to re-use them.Attached File  Tank Protector.jpeg   41.05K   9 downloads


Edited by Quinlan minor, 01 May 2020 - 04:19 PM.


#7 dunkyb

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 08:38 PM

You're welcome! :) 

 

Ok I'll give it a go tomorrow - Keen not to break it if possible as it seems to be one of the only thing minispares don't sell!!

 

It is a bit random I must admit.  Is yours just bare then and the sender wiring is accessible?



#8 Quinlan minor

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 09:23 PM

I think those clips are a fairly standard item.

 

Yes, I took my sender out to adjust it, about ten years ago. It was indicating less than was in the tank. I like it to show 'Empty' when it's empty.

Have you got a spare sealing rubber gasket? I reused mine, without any problems, but it's probably worth having one, in case.

 

I need to re-tweak mine, as it appears to have taken unkindly to the two year lay up while the bodywork was completely restored.

It now plummets to read 'Empty' when there's still about twelve litres left in the tank.

Do you want me to take a photograph of what's behind the protector?


Edited by Quinlan minor, 01 May 2020 - 09:26 PM.


#9 dunkyb

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Posted 01 May 2020 - 11:44 PM

A pic would be fantastic thanks :)

I read that there’s a little screw on the sender that you can use to adjust it? Can you measure the changes (resistance across the pins?) before putting the unit back in the tank, or is it a bit of trial and error?

Mine is doing the same as your was! Indicating only 3/4 full when the tank is totally full...

Cheers!

Edited by dunkyb, 01 May 2020 - 11:46 PM.


#10 Quinlan minor

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Posted 02 May 2020 - 06:43 AM

Here you go, Duncan.

The outer ring rotates anti clockwise  using the tangs (circled Purple) until the dimples line up with the cutouts (arrrowed Red), then lifts out.

You're going to be bending the lever arm, with the float on it, down to raise the indicated readings.

Check that it indicates 'Full' with the lever lifted fully.

Budget on taking a couple of attempts before it's exactly as you want it and beware that it's going to run out of petrol earlier than you have been used to, currently.

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#11 dunkyb

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Posted 02 May 2020 - 08:41 AM

Thanks so much for detailing that and the clear pics Quinlan!

I’ll have to find a way to drain the tank then, or run it down low, as the sender aperture is pretty close to the bottom?

I’ll let you know how it goes, thanks again.

#12 Quinlan minor

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Posted 02 May 2020 - 09:59 AM

I'd recommend just running it low. Saves that all-day petrol after-taste that siphoning brings.



#13 dunkyb

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Posted 02 May 2020 - 12:47 PM

Got the cover off and bridged the two connector wires, fuel gauge goes to 100% full. Resistance across the connectors currently is 23 Ohms, which I thought would be about right for a pretty much full tank that’s only done a few miles? Yet the gauge only reads 3/4 full... interesting!!

Edited by dunkyb, 02 May 2020 - 12:47 PM.


#14 cal844

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Posted 02 May 2020 - 01:25 PM

Sender is faulty.

Try adjusting it but I doubt that's what's needed.

Also don't throw the parts cannon at it

Edited by cal844, 02 May 2020 - 01:26 PM.


#15 dunkyb

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Posted 18 May 2020 - 08:24 AM

Hi, just to update the thread, I replaced the sender now the gauge works a lot better.

It looked like the sender I took out had been replaced already so probably just needed adjusting, but this proved tricky to get the required resistance readings on full/empty, so I just put the new sender in as it came from Minispares.

I was surprised how much pressure there was, the old sender literally blew itself out once I’d removed the outer ring! Petrol cap was off too...




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