P5 mk3 / P5B petrol tank sender locking ring - removal tool

[latecomer]

Hello.

I hope that someone will be able to help me.


Does anyone have a drawing or the actual tool (that could be measured) that is required to allow the removal of the petrol tank locking ring without removing the tank. The Rover part number for the tool is 600964 (according to page 16 Sect Q of the mk3 workshop manual).


Alternatively if you have already removed your petrol tank, is it possible that you could make a dimensioned sketch of the locking ring.

Either will allow me to fashion a removal tool.


Many thanks in anticipation.


Regards,

Stuart

[jorhenderson]

Personally I would order a replacement ring and gasket first,( you will need one) they are only coppers and this will allow you to make a tool to fit.

[latecomer]

Jor,
Hello and thank you for your prompt/comment.
The various bits ordered from JRW arrived yesterday.
To my surprise the sender locking ring looks nothing like I would have imagined or the perception that I got from looking at either the workshop manual or parts manual. I expected that the locking ring would be a flat solid piece of metal with a thread on the edge with three points for the removal tool to locate, and obviously a central section hollow for the sender contacts. But no. What arrived was a pressed metal section with a curved edge which had three shamfers, centred at 120 degrees apart, to lock in position and three small bent pins, again at 120 degrees apart, for the removal tool, plus the central hollow section for the sender connections.  

Now I just have to make a suitable removal tool and undertake the removal/replacement procedure.
 
Very worthy prompt/comment. Thanks again.

Regards,
Stuart

[jorhenderson]

Yes they must have been just about the cheapest thing Lucas made, it surprising how well they worked (well quite often ) for decades.

[thor64]

Hi, What a coincidence, I to have to take my sender from the fuel tank to see if it it is sticking or the float is sinking. I have purchased the locking ring, but my reason to buy it was so that I can measure it and see what size the locking ring removal tool needs to be. I have spent a bit of time looking at what is avaiable and you may wish to purchase one for up to £50 (a mechanic friend suggested the hammer and screwdriver  technique; not recommended).  All seem too big or too expensive.  So I am making one. I have bought a cheap one with three prongs, which will need to be shortened and cut to fit the locking ring. It has a 1/2 inch bolt on top, which will take a socket wrench or spanner. This should make it less difficult to remove the old ring. I have been putting this job off as the weather has been really good and it has given me a chance to catch up on a bit of gardening. I guess I will have to make the locking removal tool now and post how I get on with it. If it works I will post a photo of my custom design. 

[thor64]

Hi I finally got round to fabricating a tool for removing the fuel tank sender ring, with the tank in situ. Have taken photos see included.
It is a bit of over kill; however it is adjustable and worked fine. The sender is now also working fine and I can see when my tank is full.

Attachments:

[thor64]

Hi here is another photo. 

Attachments:

[thomashb]

I am about to tackle the job of removing the sender from my tank (tank is already out of the car) - is it just a case of twisting a third or quarter turn in either direction?

The locking ring isn't threaded, is it? 

[jorhenderson]

the ring is released by turning anti clockwise, around the edge are three wedge shaped pressings, these fit under similar pressings on the tank and when rotated clockwise wedge the ring in place.