When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Has anyone ever lost the float from the oil level sensor inside the oil tank when removing the level sensing unit? I was thinking of filling the oil tank with oil to get the float to rise up to the level I can see it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated! I'm feeling a bit nervous!
Maybe a flexible grabber, or magnet. Isn’t there a spring type wire screwed onto, or wrapped around it? Or did it pop outta that? Do you have a borescope? I got a cheap on off Amazon, which uses iPad/phone app to see. Would be perfect to snake down and see. Has it’s own illumination.
[QUOTE=pp000830;15486388]I don't think the float is made of ferrous metal so a magnet probably won't work. Maybe two lengths of coathanger wire used like chopsticks.[/QUOTE I was referring to the arm that’s wrapped around float, if it was still attached.
On the complete oil level sender unit the arm seems to be permanently attached to its pivot mount.
The float seems to be captured in a "C" shaped section of the arm, see the below photo.
The original posting mentions the float as detached and laying in the bottom of the tank.
Is he speaking of the float having slipped loose from the "C" shaped section of the arm
OR
The arm came loose from its pivot point and is in the bottom of the tank with the float.
In both cases fishing it out through the sensor's mounting port with a pair of hooks made from coathanger wire should be no biggie.
I would order a fresh gasket for remounting the sender once it is reassembled or replaced.
Andy
Yes, this happened to me when I was adjusting the float arm to have the oil level gauge more closely match the dip stick. The float popped off the arm and fell back into the tank...an “oh crap” moment. No, you can’t use a magnet because the float is made of brass (or some non-magnetic alloy). The access hole in the tank is just slightly larger than the diameter of the float so only one length of coat hanger wire will fit through along with the float. It wasn’t easy and yes, the tank was filled with oil so that the float was closer to the level of the access hole to start with...I was able to get one end of the float aligned with the tank hole using one end of the coat hanger wire curved just enough to coerce/align the float to the hole and then pinch it with a screwdriver on the exposed end and pull it through the hole. Be patient, have a beer nearby, It can be done.
Coincidentally, just did an oil change and adjusted the float yesterday. Managed to keep it from falling off, but mentally prepared for it. I imagined filling the tank to bring the float up to the hole, then grabbing the float’s small end with tongs or a big pair of tweezers. Kind of like the game operation.
Thanks guys for all of the suggestions. I tried to use the collective information and ended up making a lasso out of picture hanging wire with a stiff piece of copper wire to support it.. Worked on the first try.
Last edited by destence; Dec 14, 2018 at 11:06 PM.
Reason: add photos
lost oil float
