how to remove the fuel sending unit from a bladder

[steve]

I am trying to remove the sender from a fuel bladder in a 2003 cav. I'am trying to not harm the rubber it's self. in my delusional mind I hope I can clean the old foam out and put new in. the sealer is very strong.

 

[Rob Klein]

typically those bladders are only good for 5-7 years. I would just get new bladders

 

[steve]

I am trying to save the tanks without removing them. on this cav I think you have to take off the front suspension and pull the tank forward.
bladders aren't leaking but the foam is slowing the fuel flow.
if this doesn't work, I will be ordering new tanks

 

[Ole Nylende]

Looks like you can just remove the 4 remaining bolts???

 

[Walter]

I am trying to remove the sender from a fuel bladder in a 2003 cav. I'am trying to not harm the rubber it's self. in my delusional mind I hope I can clean the old foam out and put new in. the sealer is very strong.
View attachment 147399

on my bladders the sending unit can be pulled straight out after removing the wires and nuts/bolts on top of the unit. Your photograph indicates that this is the same in your case.... In any case, I'd renew the entire bladder (keeping the sending units and other hardware). It costs some money but it's quite some work to pull the old bladders anyway...

 

[steve]

on my bladders the sending unit can be pulled straight out after removing the wires and nuts/bolts on top of the unit. Your photograph indicates that this is the same in your case.... In any case, I'd renew the entire bladder (keeping the sending units and other hardware). It costs some money but it's quite some work to pull the old bladders anyway...

I don't think it is possible to replace the bladder only. there is only a 2 1/2 inch hole to work through.
I am thinking if I could find an explosion proof vacuum I could suck the old foam out. summit sells the new foam.
if it works, great. if not, time for new tanks.
anyone know where I can get a explosion proof vacuum or another way to clean out the tank.

 

[Walter]

2 things come to my mind: I have used bladders for track-only cars for ~ 20 years old without any fuel-feed problems. Have you checked the fuel filter(s) and the pickup lines? Once I found that issue on a car I had just purchased. The bladder got renewed anyway since I needed FIA approval.
2. Usually the bladder is stuffed into a solid (aluminium or steel) tank - the latter may be part of the body, as on my RCR40. On all my cars I can open this tank one way or another to remove the bladder for service/renewal.

 

[steve]

2 things come to my mind: I have used bladders for track-only cars for ~ 20 years old without any fuel-feed problems. Have you checked the fuel filter(s) and the pickup lines? Once I found that issue on a car I had just purchased. The bladder got renewed anyway since I needed FIA approval.
2. Usually the bladder is stuffed into a solid (aluminium or steel) tank - the latter may be part of the body, as on my RCR40. On all my cars I can open this tank one way or another to remove the bladder for service/renewal.

cav gt 40's tanks are way different. here is what I got when I pumped out 4 gallons and stopped up my fuel transfer pump