W115 - Couldn't fix the sender using the "dance" method - how to disassemble? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

conybeare · #1 06-12-2006, 12:28 AM

My fuel gauge was stuck on about 1/3 tank since I bought my new W115, and had been like that for a while. Per the advice of this forum, I pulled out the fuel level transmitter, shook it about, and released something (the float?) until it was clunking back and forth. Now it just reads empty! Anyone know what's going on here? I would like to take it apart, but I'm not sure how.

Thanks,

diametricalbenz · #2 07-03-2006, 07:56 PM

My W115 300D has that exact same problem of indicating no less than a 1/3rd tank. This black goo oozed from the tube holes. and I believe I got most of it out but it may still be clogging the float. Either way it still says it's at 1/3 of a tank when I shook the sensor down to the bottom.

dkveuro · #3 07-03-2006, 09:20 PM

Be vewwyy vewwy carefull....the float slides up and down on two very thin wires...as it rises the resistence changes.
Taking it apart, you might break the wires or the float wire contacts.

BTW...who much is a new one for yours ?
Bought one for a 1959 190sl last year from uncle Benz for $56.00.

.

diametricalbenz · #4 07-04-2006, 03:02 AM

Shaking it like a bar tumbler may not have been a good idea then. Sorry Mr...Fudd.

It made no difference after all the junk oozed out. Still said the same thing. No worse no better.

It did feel counterweighted towards the bottom. Is that normal or should it feel 50/50 balanced when dry? I wonder if so much crud is impacted that it simply just stops in a pile of muck at the bottom of the sender.

dkveuro · #5 07-04-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diametricalbenz

Shaking it like a bar tumbler may not have been a good idea then. Sorry Mr...Fudd.

It made no difference after all the junk oozed out. Still said the same thing. No worse no better.

I fear you have made a bad sender worse !
The 'junk' that has accumalated in the bottom of the float tube is not allowing the float to go all the way to EMPTY position.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diametricalbenz

It did feel counterweighted towards the bottom. Is that normal or should it feel 50/50 balanced when dry? I wonder if so much crud is impacted that it simply just stops in a pile of muck at the bottom of the sender.

The 'counterweight' is the 'junk' at the bottom of the tube.
There are two small 'ears' that hold the end of the tube....pry them up and gently remove.... to view inside.

At least this is what I seem to remember on the last one I opened.

You could stand it in a tin of carb' cleaner/paint gun thinners or similar untill the 'junk' melts and will run out.....drill the drain/fill hole at the bottom bigger.
All this hole is for, is to allow the fuel to enter/exit slowly' to stop needle bounce during driving.

OTOH....it could be a SINGE wire float arrangement...a lot more durable !
Same instructions apply.

.

diametricalbenz · #6 07-05-2006, 06:19 PM

As I recall, the float seemed as if it stopped about an inch from the bottom having a softer landing when it hit the bottom of the tube presumanly gushing into the silty muck at the bottom. That's not normal correct? Should it touch the very bottom?

I didn't see any tabs to remove to disassemble the sender tube. Anyone have a picture?