348 fuel sensor

A friend's 348 fuel sensor needs to be replaced, from what he told me it's located inside of the fuel tank rather than on the outside of the car. Estimated 10hrs of labor to cut, remove, replace, & repair the tank, is this true? I'm not sure the cost of the part is going to run but one things for sure it won't be cheap. I always thought parts like this were modular for simple repair, what gives?

 

Wouldn't argue that it might be a difficult and expensive repair, but the 348 SPC illustrations shows that the fuel level sensor mounts into the bottom of the tank from the outside of the tank -- item 2 in this link. Your friend should be able to confirm/deny the location just by looking for the wires & connector (e.g., maybe the tank needs to be removed and/or repositioned to get sufficient access, but needing to cut open and reweld the tank is very, very unlikely IMO).

http://www.eurospares.co.uk/partTable.asp?M=1&Mo=433&A=1&B=23642&S=

 

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/article_info.php?articles_id=3066

After checking Ricambi's site, it's doesn't appear to be mounted inside. The part that is needed is 146648: fuel level indicator plus new gaskets. I'm going to check on the car tomorrow & see it for myself.

 

Pretty sure it's inside. The parts drawings do not show the location, only the exploded (bad choice in terms) diagram.

 

Does anyone know how the fuel tank is removed? The engine is already out of the car so I'm wondering about the 10 hr labor charge or do the seats from the interior & carpeting need to be removed as well in order to get to the fuel tank?

 

I have a spare sendiing unit and it can be changed from under the car. It is located on the bottom of the tank, on the right side, and is removed by taking off a few bolts.

 

The fuel tank is accessed via the underside of the car - remove the undertray just forward of the engine. There you will find the bottom of the tank and can gain access to the two fuel pumps. As for tank removal, ask ernie; he just did this last week.

 

Someone's yanking yer chain! You don't want to cut or weld (kaboom!) your fuel tank!

You will want to drain it and then unscrew/unbolt the offending sensor (presuming that it is your sender/sensor and not your fuel gage/wiring, but you just do that from underneath the vehicle (makes zero difference if engine is in or out).