I recently purchased a 1985 c27 (tall rig) with a non-working fuel guage. After determining the problem was with the sending unit I figured it was a simple matter of replacing it. But there is a problem - the sending unit on the fuel tank is located directly under the fiberglass partition between the starboard side of the cockpit and the engine compartment. There is not enough space between the top of the tank and the partition to simply lift it out. What's the solution- cut the fiberglass? If so, what do you use to cut fiberglass and how do you repair the cutout? This is all new to me so I'd appreciate any help. Thanks, Paul Jaudon c27 #5923 Bay St Louis, MS
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Cut the glass
I had the exact same situation on my '85 Cat27. I free-hand cut a circle out of the cover with a Dremmel tool (and a vaccuum to suck up the glass dust). I never bothered to close it up after the repair: The quarterberth is storage anyway, so it really doesn't matter. Cheers & good luck, Hans
I had the exact same situation on my '85 Cat27. I free-hand cut a circle out of the cover with a Dremmel tool (and a vaccuum to suck up the glass dust). I never bothered to close it up after the repair: The quarterberth is storage anyway, so it really doesn't matter. Cheers & good luck, Hans
Cutting Fiberglass
Thanks, Hans - Glad to see someone else had the same problem that I have. Question - what type of bit did you use? Cutting fiberglass is all new to me, my only experience has been with wood. Thanks, Paul Jaudon 1985 c27 #5923 B Bay St Louis, MS
Thanks, Hans - Glad to see someone else had the same problem that I have. Question - what type of bit did you use? Cutting fiberglass is all new to me, my only experience has been with wood. Thanks, Paul Jaudon 1985 c27 #5923 B Bay St Louis, MS
Dremel Tool
Sorry for the delay. I used the Rotary Saw tool, Dremel Part Nr. 9011. Looks like a 1/8 drill bit, but you can free-hand move it sideways and it will cut through most anything - see link. You'll find this an easy job, and while the sending unit is out, you may want to check for sludge in the tank. Good luck, Hans
Sorry for the delay. I used the Rotary Saw tool, Dremel Part Nr. 9011. Looks like a 1/8 drill bit, but you can free-hand move it sideways and it will cut through most anything - see link. You'll find this an easy job, and while the sending unit is out, you may want to check for sludge in the tank. Good luck, Hans
Fuel Gauges
If you have an engine hour meter, why bother? Use the hour meter to calculate your fuel consumption over a period of time. 1/2 a gallon per hour on a diesel is not unusual and is really conservative. We use 0.4 gallons per hour. Beats cutting the 'glass. I assume you've found the gauge itself is OK.
If you have an engine hour meter, why bother? Use the hour meter to calculate your fuel consumption over a period of time. 1/2 a gallon per hour on a diesel is not unusual and is really conservative. We use 0.4 gallons per hour. Beats cutting the 'glass. I assume you've found the gauge itself is OK.
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