LPG tank gauge

The Tardis factor (interiors , awnings, roofs etc)

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
nobbyfox
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 20 Jul 2011, 19:38
80-90 Mem No: 9991
Location: Surrey

LPG tank gauge

Post by nobbyfox »

As my LPG tank is now empty i would like to remove the gauge and invetigate why it is not working (think it has been posted previously how to fix if it has a hole in the float)
If i do manage to fix it how do you reseal the gauge? Is there a gasket that needs replacing?

Thanks

Steve
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

User avatar
Titus A Duxass
Registered user
Posts: 5778
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
80-90 Mem No: 4475
Location: Cologne

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by Titus A Duxass »

I removed my to respray the tank, I reused the gasket when I refitted the gauge - no problems after 1 year.

Just be careful when you remove the gauge, ease it away from the tank rather than yanking it away.
You should be able to "save" the gasket.
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

User avatar
nobbyfox
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 20 Jul 2011, 19:38
80-90 Mem No: 9991
Location: Surrey

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by nobbyfox »

Excellent. Thanks for the reply. I will have a look after work.

Cheers
Steve
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

JamesKT25
Registered user
Posts: 313
Joined: 29 Jul 2013, 18:51
80-90 Mem No: 12638
Location: Sherburn, Malton/Scarborough, A64, UK

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by JamesKT25 »

My gauge is hopeless, its a 65 litre tank, when the gauge says empty i can get 30 litres in it tops...hahaha
Drives a 1986 T25 1.9 W/C petrol/LPG Panelvan

User avatar
Titus A Duxass
Registered user
Posts: 5778
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
80-90 Mem No: 4475
Location: Cologne

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by Titus A Duxass »

You've, also, probably got a hole in the float, the float is filling full of LPG and sinking.
Take it out, let it vent, seal up the holes - et voila!
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

User avatar
nobbyfox
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 20 Jul 2011, 19:38
80-90 Mem No: 9991
Location: Surrey

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by nobbyfox »

JamesKT25 wrote:My gauge is hopeless, its a 65 litre tank, when the gauge says empty i can get 30 litres in it tops...hahaha

65L!! That's a big tank :shock: Think my Westafalia is only 20L.

Steve
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX

JamesKT25
Registered user
Posts: 313
Joined: 29 Jul 2013, 18:51
80-90 Mem No: 12638
Location: Sherburn, Malton/Scarborough, A64, UK

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by JamesKT25 »

Thats what the fitting certificate says... holds 45L of LPG.
Drives a 1986 T25 1.9 W/C petrol/LPG Panelvan

User avatar
AdrianC
Registered user
Posts: 2975
Joined: 29 Dec 2010, 21:57
80-90 Mem No: 9144
Location: Living in Hay whilst the Sun pours down.
Contact:

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by AdrianC »

nobbyfox wrote:
JamesKT25 wrote:My gauge is hopeless, its a 65 litre tank, when the gauge says empty i can get 30 litres in it tops...hahaha

65L!! That's a big tank :shock: Think my Westafalia is only 20L.

Driving on gas, not just cooking on it...?
A year and a half living in a Westy hightop... http://www.WhereverTheRoadGoes.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

JamesKT25
Registered user
Posts: 313
Joined: 29 Jul 2013, 18:51
80-90 Mem No: 12638
Location: Sherburn, Malton/Scarborough, A64, UK

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by JamesKT25 »

Would be cool if I could.... haha
Drives a 1986 T25 1.9 W/C petrol/LPG Panelvan

California Dreamin
Registered user
Posts: 2673
Joined: 03 Apr 2007, 12:54
80-90 Mem No: 8386
Location: Nottingham

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by California Dreamin »

Hi there....Westy Leisure LPG tank (for cooking/fridge with BBQ take off point) from memory it's approximately 16 litres (just under £11.00 to fill from empty)

I think there are a couple of misleading replies above: firstly..the gauge itself operates on magnetic attraction and isn't physically connected to the mechanism inside the tank (this is just held in place with a couple of screws).
And
Rather than the float being 'holed' as you put it...the LPG actually just seeps past the threads into the float. As in, the float is screwed onto a rod and it becomes loose allowing the liquid to seep into the float past the threads.

When I did mine it was just a question of unscrewing the float (any LPG instantly evaporates away) then the float is resealed using 'gas grade' PTFE tape on the threads of the pivot rod.

As for the mechanism itself: this is held into the tank with 4 allen screws behind the gauge. Release and tighten evenly, I also re-used the 'O' ring seal without issue. Extract the mechanism to remove the float on the end of the pivot rod arm. Once re-sealed the float will correctly move and the magnetic attraction of the mechanisms internal magnet will then operate the external gauge.

Martin
1989 California 2.1MV

User avatar
Titus A Duxass
Registered user
Posts: 5778
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
80-90 Mem No: 4475
Location: Cologne

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by Titus A Duxass »

California Dreamin wrote: I think there are a couple of misleading replies above: firstly..the gauge itself operates on magnetic attraction and isn't physically connected to the mechanism inside the tank (this is just held in place with a couple of screws).


Sorry but mine is physically linked through two gears and has no magnets.

The one on Gunzl's website is totally different than the one fitted to my tank
Image
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

User avatar
Titus A Duxass
Registered user
Posts: 5778
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
80-90 Mem No: 4475
Location: Cologne

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by Titus A Duxass »

California Dreamin wrote: I think there are a couple of misleading replies above: firstly..the gauge itself operates on magnetic attraction and isn't physically connected to the mechanism inside the tank (this is just held in place with a couple of screws).


Sorry but mine is physically to the gauge as comes out as a single unit.

The one on Gunzl's website is totally different than the one fitted to my tank
Image
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

California Dreamin
Registered user
Posts: 2673
Joined: 03 Apr 2007, 12:54
80-90 Mem No: 8386
Location: Nottingham

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by California Dreamin »

YES! but look at the gauge....it has two philps heads and a plastic bezel holding it in place.....the mechanism doesn't go all the way through to the gauge. Don't take my word for it, undo and remove the gauge.....unless there were different types?

Martin
1989 California 2.1MV

User avatar
Titus A Duxass
Registered user
Posts: 5778
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
80-90 Mem No: 4475
Location: Cologne

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by Titus A Duxass »

California Dreamin wrote:YES! but look at the gauge....it has two philps heads and a plastic bezel holding it in place.....the mechanism doesn't go all the way through to the gauge. Don't take my word for it, undo and remove the gauge.....unless there were different types?

Martin

Semantics - the whole unit is sold as a gauge (unit), you cannot just buy the gauge itself.
When the OP posted about their gauge I am fairly sure that he meant the gauge unit (but then again.......).
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

California Dreamin
Registered user
Posts: 2673
Joined: 03 Apr 2007, 12:54
80-90 Mem No: 8386
Location: Nottingham

Re: LPG tank gauge

Post by California Dreamin »

I'm not sure what you are saying but how the gauge is supplied new is imaterial if it can be easily repaired without the need for replacement. However, I concur that if the 'display' part of the unit is broken then the whole of the mechanism would need replacing, so in that respect I can see where you are coming from.
All I can add is that in most cases I have seen, the dial display is fine but not moving properly due to internal mechanism failure ie: the float is full of liquid gas.

Martin
1989 California 2.1MV

Locked