RX3 Fuel Float

[Caribbean Rider]

I've got 3 RX3's, and both register empty.

The fuel level sending units were pulled and plugged back into the harness, and raising the float arm registers fuel level.

Put them back in, filled up the tanks...and a flashlight shows neither float rises with the fuel level. We can raise the lever with a coathanger and the fuel level rises on the gauge.

WTF?

We took the fuel sender unit out to see if somehow the float itself has been compromised and it's not. There seems to be resistance in how the arm swings.

We cleaned the pivot and put it in a bucket of water (different density than gasoline, heavier)

Reinstalled, it still doesn't rise properly, but at least registers: one bar with a full tank, but still not floating to the top. Shaking the tank, sloshing fuel around shows some gauge response and then returned to no bars.

Any thoughts? Am I looking at a new sending unit?

[ElectricCircus]

A guy made this step by step procedure to adjust the RX3´s fuel level sensor.
It´s in spanish, but there are plenty of pictures that maybe will help you:

https://coltermoto.wordpress.com/tri...ible-flotante/

From my point of view it is useful for the "zero" adjustment (let´s say: "E" light blinking exactly when there is time to switch the fuel valve to the Reserve position), but isn´t enough for the "full span" adjustment also required: after that my fueld gauge is perfect for Empty, but indicates "Full" at 50% of fuel.

[Caribbean Rider]

Originally Posted by ElectricCircus

A guy made this step by step procedure to adjust the RX3´s fuel level sensor.
It´s in spanish, but there are plenty of pictures that maybe will help you:

https://coltermoto.wordpress.com/tri...ible-flotante/

From my point of view it is useful for the "zero" adjustment (let´s say: "E" light blinking exactly when there is time to switch the fuel valve to the Reserve position), but isn´t enough for the "full span" adjustment also required: after that my fueld gauge is perfect for Empty, but indicates "Full" at 50% of fuel.

Why would the float not rise with the fuel level?

[Caribbean Rider]

I am wondering if my tech re-installed the fuel sender correctly.

The basics: which direction does the float go? Forward or backwards?

[Caribbean Rider]

Since I have new units on order, for spits and grins we took off the float on one and pushed on two wine corks.

Worked perfectly. Gauge works fine.

We broke the float in two and discovered it was completely saturated with fuel. We have no idea how that happened.

The float was the problem, most likely on the other RX3 also.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by Caribbean Rider

Since I have new units on order, for spits and grins we took off the float on one and pushed on two wine corks.

Worked perfectly. Gauge works fine.

We broke the float in two and discovered it was completely saturated with fuel. We have no idea how that happened.

The float was the problem, most likely on the other RX3 also.

I believe that you're the first....but it's a good thing to keep our eyes on.

[madsocial]

I have taken the float off several times and re-bent. To no avail!

You mean to tell me that replacing the float with wine corks solves the issue??? LOL That's unreal!

Will the cork break down with time due to the gasoline? I don't know. Maybe that's a dumb questions, but I really don't know.

Flipping cork screws! Ha! Wait until I tell my husband. He's going to stare at me like I've lost my mind.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by madsocial

I have taken the float off several times and re-bent. To no avail!

You mean to tell me that replacing the float with wine corks solves the issue??? LOL That's unreal!

Will the cork break down with time due to the gasoline? I don't know. Maybe that's a dumb questions, but I really don't know.

Flipping cork screws! Ha! Wait until I tell my husband. He's going to stare at me like I've lost my mind.

Living in wine country, being surrounded by wineries, and Mrs. 2LZ belonging to a local "wine club", it appears that I'll have a lifetime supply of "floats"!

[Caribbean Rider]

Originally Posted by madsocial

I have taken the float off several times and re-bent. To no avail!

You mean to tell me that replacing the float with wine corks solves the issue??? LOL That's unreal!

Will the cork break down with time due to the gasoline? I don't know. Maybe that's a dumb questions, but I really don't know.

Flipping cork screws! Ha! Wait until I tell my husband. He's going to stare at me like I've lost my mind.

Yep. That was it. A cork.

How long will it last? Don't know. I have two new float assemblies coming. Pretty reasonable, $16 ea. MOL.

[madsocial]

My husband Luke, gave me the stare I was expecting. LOL He couldn't believe it ha!

Since you got 2 new floats on the way, do you plan on leaving the cork in until your next valve job? Or do you plan on replacing it asap?

@2LZ, you crack me up. Did you know I'm in wine country as well? NY is a wine heaven. Who knew!!!

[Caribbean Rider]

Originally Posted by madsocial

My husband Luke, gave me the stare I was expecting. LOL He couldn't believe it ha!

Since you got 2 new floats on the way, do you plan on leaving the cork in until your next valve job? Or do you plan on replacing it asap?

@2LZ, you crack me up. Did you know I'm in wine country as well? NY is a wine heaven. Who knew!!!

We never buttoned the bikes back up, and it's not difficult to pull the tank. We'll put in the new units and store the corked ones as back-up.

IOn all my years owning dozens of bikes and cars, I never had a tank float fail.

[rtking]

Originally Posted by Caribbean Rider

IOn all my years owning dozens of bikes and cars, I never had a tank float fail.

Oh, just wait until you have a carburetor fuel float fail. On an airplane. With fuel pouring out of the carburetor directly over an exhaust stack. (Rotax has a service bulletin to replace the floats due to fuel saturation causing them to fail.)

It's unfortunate that it happens, but it can happen even to the best manufacturers.

Glad that replacements are on the way, but the cork solution is pretty innovative!