C5 X7 fuel tank level sensor collar

[Peter.N.]

Mine was leaking from the top of the tank, has been for some time, not pouring out but wet. I had it off a couple of years ago when I started the air in fuel trouble to check the filter, which was perfectly clean of course. The collar was tight all the way both getting off and on, so I got a new collar and 'O' ring to do it this time but I can't get the collar to screw on, have tried the old one but that wont either.

The thread will engage on the door side of the tank boss but wont screw on straight, looks to be one thread out on the inner side, I have been trying this for about 3 days now and no way can I get it to screw on properly. It feels as though either the collar is to small or the boss on the tank to big. I have tried just getting the thread started and the pushing the other side down, even took a hammer to it but it wont go. I have tried greasing it and had thought of spraying the tank boss with freezer to try and shrink it.

Has anyone else had this problem and cured it before having a nervous breakdown?

Thanks

Peter

[KennyW]

Peter,

I had the same problem. The ring must be kept level until it is partially thread on then it will turn all the way. I did add some grease.
Persistence will pay.

Kenny

[Peter.N.]

Thanks Kenny. I have tried to keep the ring level but unless its down on one side it wont pick up the thread. I think maybe the ambient temperature is affecting it, perhaps it would be better when it cools down a bit, I got it on OK last time. Nice to know I'm not the only one.

Peter

[MattBLancs]

Definitely not the only one. Had about 4 attempts and just cross threaded each time. Decided that I was just imagining it and so tightened it up fully. Began refilling the tank (from cans, I'd drained the tank - see my other post for more details) and diesel pouring out!

Gave up, told my Dad about the issues I was having. Gave him my tips for installing (i.e. it's a case of tap it round with four hundred thousand little taps, not ten wallops as that would bust a second web off the plastic ring!) And left him to have a play at it. He struggled but got it to engage without cross threading.



So can recommend a fresh set of eyes or failing that walk away at regular intervals as you feel your blood pressure rising!

Matt

[Peter.N.]

Thanks Matt. Another fellow sufferer, I have replaced the ring as a result of the damage I did to it last time I had it off, the secret to not breaking the ring is to tap it round with a piece of wood rather than a screwdriver, which I did, getting it off without breaking any But getting it back on is a different story. I did tap it gently when I got the thread to start, but it went on crocked, does it every time. You don't seem to be able to push the ring down far enough to engage all round, I might try some freezer on the tank boss - or wait until the weather gets back to normal.

Peter

[admiral51]

If it is anything like the Xantia HDI set up then an extra pair of hands help.
The float/filter needs to be pushed down whilst someone else gets the ring started and it needs to be pushed down whilst the ring is tightened

Colin

[Peter.N.]

At the moment I'm trying to screw the ring on without the unit but I still can't get it to go. Sounds similar to the Xantia set up. I had thought of turning the car round the other way, its on a slope and all the fuel is up my end. To hot at the moment, will have another go in an hour or so. Thanks for the suggestion.

Peter

Oh Hi Colin, just realised who you were.

[MattBLancs]

My dad's feedback was that when it went on correctly it went on spun by hand - tapping only required much later than when cross threaded.

Used some "red rubber grease" - lubricated by diesel everywhere insufficient.

[Lenny]

Been there, tried everything and eventually gave up.

Bought a complete used tank with undisturbed sensor and fitted it.

[Peter.N.]

Mine was tight all the way on and off last time last time, and off this time.

Thanks for the encouragement Lenny.

Peter

[wheeler]

Its not unknown for plastic tanks to distort if the ring is removed when the tank has too much fuel in it. Even if you drain the fuel after this has happened the ring still sometimes wont go back on. I wouldnt remove one now if there was any more than about a 3rd of a tank in it.

[Peter.N.]

It gets better.

Peter

[wheeler]

Have you tried to fit the ring on with the pump removed to see if you can at least get it started? The pump obviously makes it more awkward to fit as the spring is pushing up against you. At least if you manage to get a few turns on it with the pump out you will know the tank has not distorted. How much fuel was in the tank when you removed it?

[MattBLancs]

Aligns with my symptoms then! Tank brim full, syphoning/ pumped what I could from the filler neck (down to about half full) then ring/sender removed. (Tank cleaned out and) bone dry when trying to reinstate the ring.

Yes spring loaded sender unit fights against you. Also the pipe connections also take turns to snag the two oval protuberances (that take the ABS and other sensor wiring plugs) tied out the way with wire but still not really clear if the work area.

Tried ring without sender (and without O-ring too) but still seemed to cross thread each time for me.

I'm amazed how simple the task is to describe Vs how much of a pig of a task it proved to be.

Gave up and found other things to do more than once as red mist descending...

Anyway, if mine was distorted, my dad proved it is possible to get it back again. I'll let him know there's a lucrative potential career available

Having said all that, good luck! I wouldn't attempt it if car is sat in the fierce sun we have in Leyland today, nowt like being hot and bothered to help get me absolutely fuming on what should be a simple task!

Matt

[Peter.N.]

I've turned mine round the other way now so the fuel has run to the other end, it says 1/4 full on the gauge but it looks more like half full. I shall have another go at it when the temperature drops.

Peter