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MG TD TF 1500 - Repairing the fuel sender float

So the float was full of gas. I very carefully drilled a small hole in the side and drained it of gas. Then I used boiling water to warm it and drive out the vapor. Then I unsoldered it.
All came apart beautifully (except for the explosion - no, just kidding!)

But try as I might in the dark with lights, I cannot find the leak that allowed the float to fill with gas.
So does anybody have any other suggestions for finding the hole?
If not, I suppose I can simply solder the entire surface of the float...
Geoffrey M Baker

The leak is almost certainly along the seams, and won't necessarily let light through. I'd just run a bead of solder along the seams and check it by submerging it in water for a day or so.
S Maas

Steve Maas X2, but instead of just submerging it in water for a couple of days, submerge it in water and heat the water to just before it boils. That will cause the air inside the float and if there is still a leak, air bubbles will start coming out of the float, locating the leak. Cheers - Dave
D W DuBois

Geoffery,
This is from my thread of April 12, 2014. There are photos there.

Unfortunately you have de-soldered it. Good luck!

Mort 50 TD (Mobius), New Jersey, USA

Thank you all for the useful information. The float had gas in it but I could not find the leak visually. After reading through the archives I put it in hot water and saw the stream of bubbles. I marked the location and drilled two small holes in that area. Holding it upside down I blew compressed air in one hole and cleared the float of gas. A little flux and soldering iron and I made a very effective but ugly repair.
I got back on the road and am now at the local PAL show.
Now comes the decision on which of the floats to purchase. I will keep the old one as a spare.
Thanks again,
Mort
Mort 50 TD

Solderng is the way to go, but I caution that when soldering you can actually add considerable weight to the float and not realise it, since the solder may be flowing inside the float and building up a wad of it inside. This is not as critical when soldering a gas tank float, but it is very critical when soldering a carburettor float.
Kevin McLemore

A drop of POR 15 used for sealing leaky tanks is a nice alternative to solder. Use one of those wooden sticks they give you to stir your coffee to drop a blob on the hole

Dave
D Moore

Thanks Dave for the tip. I did as you suggest and it took me three goes, but I have an empty, dry repaired float.
Well, there is the sound of a little drop of solder rattling round in it now :)
Geoffrey M Baker

Sorry for any confusion, I was referring to Dave Dubois' suggestion!
Geoffrey M Baker

This thread was discussed on 02/12/2014

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