MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Fuel Tank Sender Unit Seal

In an earlier thread about a replacement tank Colin Manley recommended getting a newly produced fuel sender rubber seal from Peter Edney, which I duly purchased. My fuel level is finally down below the sender unit so I will be fitting the seal in the next few days. The question is should I used a gasket compound with the seal? I use Wellseal on my major engine components and love the stuff. If it's recommended to use a sealing compound would wellseal be ok for this job?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,
Yes, I used Welseal, but I let each surface "tack off" for a day or so beforehand.
Regards
Colin
Colin Manley

Hey Steve and all, after having a lot of sending units leak on the TC and MGA I finally took Barney's advice and (1) made sure that both surfaces were FLAT and (2), used no compound, just the gaskets. So far, so good. Tom
Thomas McNamara

Hi Steve
I am also about to tackle a similar task.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that it is sensible to change the screws over, as it can leak through worn screws. I dont know if this is correct or not, but was thinking to at least put a little sealing compound on the threads.

My sender unit is not working so I need to if it needs to be replaced - I expect so.
From what I can see, Brown and Gammons sell a sender and although a bit pricey, includes a rubber seal.

Graham

Graham V

Graham

The new high quality seal from Peter Edney comes with a new set of screws. The seal looks well made.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I made one out of leather and it has worked for at least 15 years so far.
Bill Haglan

Leather, now that was a good idea too. I have used a gasket from a 124 Fiat Spyder for the TC's in the past. The sealing surface (both sides) is not flat but multi grooved so it seals better. I've never had a leak after using this sealing ring @ $1.59. FOG
FOG Frank

The screws go into the fuel....I always use a Permatex thread sealant on screw threads, but start the sealant about halfway up the threads...It's tedious, but pays off Even though the screws are new, the tank threads are not.
The other suggestion, is to tighten the screws as you would a cylinder head...a little at a time, going from one side to the other in a diagonal.
Edward
E B Wesson

Possible stupid question for somebody with one of the current production Moss tanks...

Are the threads for the sending unit mounting holes the original type BA thread form, or did they use something else?

-Del
D Rawlins

D Rawlins
Thats a good question...I dont have that answer.

I never use any sealer on the gas tanks...a good tank gasket should be sufficent if everything is straight and up to snuff.
Steven Devine

This is the improved gasket from Peter Edney: http://mg-parts.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=2482

Steve
Steve Gyles

Doug Pelton (From the Frame Up) also has these improved gaskets. His part number is GA230.
I put one on my MG-TC some time ago and it's been dry since. Next time I have to take the sender out of the A I'll use another one of Doug's.
David Ahrendt

Steve G; That looks a lot like the gasket I bought from Moss in the last year or so.

My reason for inquiring about the threads used in the new tanks, is my original fasteners went into the box of stuff that I had replated, and IIRC the heads are different from modern production screws. I'm not above using modern fasteners where I have to, but if I can keep the original look I would rather do that.

-Del
D Rawlins

Del

No idea whether it's the same as Moss supply. I simply bought it on Colin Manley's recommendation. I did no other research.

Steve
Steve Gyles

One of the things I learnt the hard way which is be very careful what sealant you use with petrol as many aren't petrol resistant. I got this wrong and not only did it cease to seal but the sealant then kept blocking the pipe from the tank. Eventually it worked its way out of the system and since then I have used the sealant Moss recommend without problems. I can't tell you what it is as I am away from home, also I have a couple of Peter Edney's on order.

Paul
Paul Dean

This thread was discussed between 09/10/2015 and 19/10/2015

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.