fawcett_chad
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- Joined
- Apr 6, 2014
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Fuel gauge fixed!
After getting the estimate from the LR service center, I had a renewed resolve to replace the fuel level sensors myself. A couple weeks ago I ordered the parts I needed from Amazon - all in just around $130. Since then I've just been burning down my gas till I was as close to an estimate of empty as I could safely be. Finally had the chance today to take on the project. I got the tank removed, which is quite a job by itself, and got all the hoses and cables disconnected. Then I got the access port open and removed the fuel pump from the harness and turned it so I could access the rear sensor. That was a pretty easy replacement. After that I took on what many have called impossible. I reached in to the tank with my left arm while kneeling on the passenger side of the tank. i reached down up to my elbow and was able to pop my elbow in the hole while starting to bring my forearm towards the front of the tank. At first I got stuck, but then was able to push my elbow down far enough that I could reach around the inner frame and just barely reach the front sensor. I am 5'9" and I think if my arms were a little longer it would have been easier to reach, but at the same time, then it may have been harder to get my arm in there in the first place. For some people this job may be impossible, if you are too tall or too short.
So I can give more details if you want, but I got the thing back together, powered up the car and the gauge rose slightly, but was still on empty because there was only like a gallon of gas in there. I drove to the gas station, filled up and voila! the gauge immediately went to full when I powered her up! Victory!
The bad news: after getting home from the gas station and celebrating with a nice cold beer, I looked underneath and found a slow gas leak... Guess I'll be under the car again tomorrow figuring out which fitting isn't tight.
After getting the estimate from the LR service center, I had a renewed resolve to replace the fuel level sensors myself. A couple weeks ago I ordered the parts I needed from Amazon - all in just around $130. Since then I've just been burning down my gas till I was as close to an estimate of empty as I could safely be. Finally had the chance today to take on the project. I got the tank removed, which is quite a job by itself, and got all the hoses and cables disconnected. Then I got the access port open and removed the fuel pump from the harness and turned it so I could access the rear sensor. That was a pretty easy replacement. After that I took on what many have called impossible. I reached in to the tank with my left arm while kneeling on the passenger side of the tank. i reached down up to my elbow and was able to pop my elbow in the hole while starting to bring my forearm towards the front of the tank. At first I got stuck, but then was able to push my elbow down far enough that I could reach around the inner frame and just barely reach the front sensor. I am 5'9" and I think if my arms were a little longer it would have been easier to reach, but at the same time, then it may have been harder to get my arm in there in the first place. For some people this job may be impossible, if you are too tall or too short.
So I can give more details if you want, but I got the thing back together, powered up the car and the gauge rose slightly, but was still on empty because there was only like a gallon of gas in there. I drove to the gas station, filled up and voila! the gauge immediately went to full when I powered her up! Victory!
The bad news: after getting home from the gas station and celebrating with a nice cold beer, I looked underneath and found a slow gas leak... Guess I'll be under the car again tomorrow figuring out which fitting isn't tight.