URO Defective Fuel Senders

[FattyArbuckle]

URO is selling defective fuel senders; part number 1367253. The float leaks: air escapes, fuel gets into the float replacing the air, the float sinks to the bottom of the tank, and the fuel gauge reads empty even when the tank is full. The holes appear to be under the metal arm it is attached to. So far, I've had three failed floats.

Questions and test method below. . .
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Questions
Has anyone developed a way / fix around this?

Are there any other Fuel Sender unit suppliers?
(I’m trying to avoid making the ransom payment to Volvo / VDU: really - more than $200 for a fuel sending unit?)

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Test Method
After the first defective float filled with fuel, the retailer asked me to test with water before installing. Here is how I’ve been testing the floats without gasoline.

This test simulates the fuel tank temperature cycle that could occur over a day, but (depending upon where you live) might take months.

1) If the ambient (room air) temperature is above 60 F., put the fuel sending unit in a cold area like a refrigerator for 30 minutes.
2) Heat / fill a pot of water to 100 F. Make sure you have enough water to submerge the float.
3) Add a little liquid dish detergent. The surface tension of water is significantly higher than gasoline so this reduces the surface tension.
4) Submerge the float in the 100 F. water. Make sure the float stays submerged, but do not get the rest of the sender unit wet!
5) Keep the float submerged in the warm water for 30 minutes,
6) Keep the float submerged and start cooling the water. Add ice or place the pot in a cool area until the water temperature is below 60 F.
7) Keep the float submerged in cool water for 30 minutes.
8- Remove the float and inspect for water inside the float. Water in the float means there is a hole in the float and it is defective.

Placing the cooled float in warm water expands the air inside the float and it will escape through any hole(s). You might even see the air bubbles escaping. When you cool the water the air inside the float will also cool and the resulting lower pressure will be equalized by water entering the float.

[93Regina]

Questions
Has anyone developed a way / fix around this?

Been doing it for years...pay attention to odometer/trip-meter...or estimate mileage.

Works 100% time on my 1993-944

People who run around on empty need a wake-up call...fill--er--up.

[jimmy57]

That isn't defective. That is just the level of quality of URO stuff. URO makes practice parts. You get lots of practice changing them repeatedly.

[tryingbe]

URO = low quality product, you get what you paid for.

I'd never buy another URO product again.