Step 12-May 13-Replacing the fuel sender: This has been one of my pet peeves. For years it has never given me an accurate read and I have been toying with the idea to replace the fuel sender. I finally removed it and was surprised....WHAT A RIG!
I have no idea what they were thinking of when installing this. I can only figure out that they felt the armature was cut too short then they the two halves with screws. The depth of the tank is 7", which means the armature needs to be just five inches. They rigged it and measured it at 9". I really don't know how to test the unit or the gauge on the instrument panel to see if only one is bad so I am hoping everything will work once I replace the sending unit.
The new unit, along with the ratchet crimper and sandpaper, finally arrived and I installed it.
The new sender with 5200 as sealant
When installing the new unit the screw holes did not line up and after numerous tries I was finally able to forcibly screw the unit down. I thought of tapping the holes but the lever wasn’t long enough. I thought of drilling the screws in but decided not to for caution the spark on the drill can possibly ignite the fumes coming out of the tank. I was going to tap the holes and use the screws that came with the replacement unit but luckily the handle but my tap kit does not reach down to the area where the holes are. I purchased a 10$ kit at Discount Auto and a few days later went to Home Depot and measured the screws that came with the unit. They turned out to be a #10-24. I would have probably made things worst if I would have gone and tapped the holes on my first attempt.
To my satisfaction the gauge on the instrument panel worked perfectly! However when I tilted the boat to let out the rainwater, gas started to leak out of the tank through the new sending unit. I coated it with 5200 and tested it out a few days later. It still leaked and I'm not sure whether the 5200 had not cured or just isn't good for this. I have two options. I can try the same sealant I used on the motor or remove the unit, tap the holes, and seal the whole thing again.
It was very satisfying to see the gauge work correctly and I can see how the length of the sending unit armature affected the reading.
Electrical:
I went ahead and installed the new switch on the Blue Sea panel but the lights still did not work. In fact I noticed the navigation lights were not working either. I went ahead and disconnected everything from the fuse box and started to bunch up all the ground wires. There were three ground wires that came from the lights that I had combined together and connected to one wire and connected that to the ground terminal. I am set on not “rigging” anything. I cut them loose and attached new connectors to each. I then went ahead and placed two per terminal. A decision that I will be taking back today. I want all the negatives on their perspective terminals or on a bus. I also ran out of blue connectors and ordered them from Amazon this morning.
I spent the most part of the day working on the console wiring and feel that I did a very good job. All my lights turned on.
However when I lifted the trailer lift to empty the rainwater out of the boat up the gas leaked out of the gas tank. Apparently the new gauge does not seal correctly despite laying a coat of 5200 around it.
I also might have possible problems with the engine tilt. When I pull up the engine it would not go up. I went and physically pushed it up and then it seemed to work with a bit of strain. I’m worried about this and think it had to do with either the battery is low or there is a mechanical problem with the trim. My remedies are the following.
If the fuel sender continues to leak I purchased an extension for my tap and die this morning and I will drill or expand the holes on the tank. As for the engine tilt, I am charging the batteries. After that my next step would be to add fluid to the system and will need a large screwdriver. I am now going to figure out how much I’ve spent on the boat maintenance…..
May 14-Update: I’ve decided I am going to restore the Causeaican to the best it can be. I hate to think that it is all “cosmetic” and perhaps the biggest problem I have is with the engine, but let’s start somewhere. The trailer winch arrived a few days ago but was missing the crank handle. I called the Home Depot and I am waiting for their response. The weather is turning, it should rain today. I feel I need to come up with some kind of cover before I install the hatches. I had thought of fixing the spider web cracks before installing them but I think I will do the spider webs slowly.
In the next few days, weather permitting, I would like to finish sanding down the prow, replacing the gas sender, cleaning, and apply Gelcoat to the front area under the fishing seat.
This is a season-long chore and I need to be patient. I have closed my eyes to the amount of money I am spending and hope that in the end it will all have been worth it. Unfortunately, after living the way I did in Marathon, with the boat two steps away from my door, I don’t think I will ever enjoy it as much as I did then.
2100>Today I received the switch, paint, and heat shrink. The weather has been spotty with light rain sprinkles.
May 15-Budget Buster: No work today, tied up a few ends before going back to work tomorrow and it rained. I would think that moisture got into the large crack on the front deck of the boat and I will not/should not attempt to work on it till it is bone dry. So far I’ve spend about 650$ on the actual boat repairs...should make a list, and about 450$ on equipment.
May 16-Update-Rain: It’s sprinkling again today so there won’t be any work on the boat or anywhere else for that matter. I should receive the heat fasteners today and the only thing pending will be the trim tab anode and wiring.
In the afternoon it stopped raining and the sun came out. I went ahead and replaced the fuel gauge. Note the way I found the old one rigged. I also noticed the swing arm was to be cut with the float at 5” and the one installed was about 9” long.
May 24-Update-More Rain: It's the Memorial Day weekend and unfortunately it has been raining. We also reopened the store this past Wednesday and I have been too tired to come home and work on the boat. However all my supplies seem to have arrived. I have the wiring, primer and topside black paint, trim tab anode, sandpaper, offset screwdrivers, and wire connectors. I am waiting for the winch handle.
The first thing on my agenda is to sand down the prow and to seal the gas tank...stay tuned.
No comments:
Post a Comment