aluminum fuel fittings and sender plate rotting

[Donald Allard]

I have a 1989 Sunbird Corcica 175 OMC Cobra sterndrive with a 2.3 Ford engine. There is an access port in front of the engine box on the floor. I removed the round access cover exposing the top of the fuel tank. It's plastic. Mounted there is the sender unit and an aluminum elbow fitting with an anti-siphon fitting . the barbed end is attached to a rubber fuel line. the aluminum fittings are corroaded and broken apparts. the aluminum plate for the sender is corroaded and crumbled when I remived it. Any one know where I can get replacement parts? Should I use brass or aluminum? Why did these parts disintegrate? Also 6 inches of the rubber fuel line are in this area and swell up. The part of the line that is outside this area is ok. I replaced this line with one that a boat mechanic told me was for an enclosed space. Every year I have replaced this line.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: aluminum fuel fittings and sender plate rotting

Donald, You may replace the parts with brass or aluminum. The aluminum ones lasted 15 years, so the boat will be in the "great lake in the sky", when the new ones fail. Actually, I am quite surprized the fittings and rubber failed. Does your fuel gauge work? It sounds like some stray current rotted out the sender and fittings.

 

[Donald Allard]

Re: aluminum fuel fittings and sender plate rotting

Within a couple of years it started corroding. The rubber fuel line I replaced every year . It was a year old when I bought it. The fuel gauge never worked because the wire in the center of the sender unit was always corroded. I would clean it but t would corrode again. When I replace the parts I'm going to find the best paint or coating I can find to put on these parts. Any suggestions?

 

[Solittle]

Re: aluminum fuel fittings and sender plate rotting

I suspect you have some stray current going to one or more of the fittings. Paint won't help fix that.