[Whefour]

I'm repairing items on my 31 Open that I purchased two weeks ago. One item on my list is the replacement of my starboard fuel tank sending unit. My fuel gauge shows it to be empty, yet there is fuel in it. I suspect it is the sending unit and I have replaced these on my previous boats. Tiara quoted me $170.00 to replace with factory unit. Has anyone used the Moeller brand of sending units that are available at West Marine? Are the mounting holes in the base universal? I noticed that the wiring on the factory unit are encapsulated while Moeller is not. Not sure if this is a big issue.

[pHotoman41]

I'm repairing items on my 31 Open that I purchased two weeks ago. One item on my list is the replacement of my starboard fuel tank sending unit. My fuel gauge shows it to be empty, yet there is fuel in it. I suspect it is the sending unit and I have replaced these on my previous boats. Tiara quoted me $170.00 to replace with factory unit. Has anyone used the Moeller brand of sending units that are available at West Marine? Are the mounting holes in the base universal? I noticed that the wiring on the factory unit are encapsulated while Moeller is not. Not sure if this is a big issue.

Sorry to say I can't provide any insights.  I purchased a 31 Open last September and have done a fair amount of work on it including an extensive water removal project on the hull caused by a poorly designed anchor locker drain.  You might want to check that to make sure your drain is thoroughly sealed to avoid wicking into the core.  I replaced all of the accessible thru hulls because the plastic was crumbling from UV exposure.  I had some new canvas made and replaced the combing pads.  The final major cost was having a custom mattress made.  I have a crappy back and can't sleep on a board which is about what you have with the original mattress. 

I launched yesterday only to find the water pumps are leaking.  Yet another project.  Have to order new pumps and install them.  Hope to get them done quickly because rockfish season is in full swing.

Good thing we love our boats because they are pretty expensive play things. 

I know the level of responses on this site can be quite low.  I thought I would respond to let you know there are a few people around even though I am of no help.  For what it's worth, if it were me, I would go with Tiara and be sure everything lines up unless of course there is a big price differential.

[Uhehner]

Perhaps its is just the sending unit , not the float assembly. They are magnetically coupled to the float unit and can be replaced quite easily and are readily available.

I have installed the complete Moeller units and they work just fine with the VDO gauges. The biggest problem will be getting the screws out of the tank. Soak them for days with penetrating fluid. Obviously you cannot use a torch.  I used a phillips head bit carefully fitted to the screw and a ratchet driver. Apply LOTS ( I mean LOTS ) of downward pressure on the bit so it does not strip out the screw head. Once that happens you are doomed.  And don't forget a new gasket.  Capt. George

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I'm repairing items on my 31 Open that I purchased two weeks ago. One item on my list is the replacement of my starboard fuel tank sending unit. My fuel gauge shows it to be empty, yet there is fuel in it. I suspect it is the sending unit and I have replaced these on my previous boats. Tiara quoted me $170.00 to replace with factory unit. Has anyone used the Moeller brand of sending units that are available at West Marine? Are the mounting holes in the base universal? I noticed that the wiring on the factory unit are encapsulated while Moeller is not. Not sure if this is a big issue.

Sorry to say I can't provide any insights.  I purchased a 31 Open last September and have done a fair amount of work on it including an extensive water removal project on the hull caused by a poorly designed anchor locker drain.  You might want to check that to make sure your drain is thoroughly sealed to avoid wicking into the core.  I replaced all of the accessible thru hulls because the plastic was crumbling from UV exposure.  I had some new canvas made and replaced the combing pads.  The final major cost was having a custom mattress made.  I have a crappy back and can't sleep on a board which is about what you have with the original mattress. 

I launched yesterday only to find the water pumps are leaking.  Yet another project.  Have to order new pumps and install them.  Hope to get them done quickly because rockfish season is in full swing.

Good thing we love our boats because they are pretty expensive play things. 

I know the level of responses on this site can be quite low.  I thought I would respond to let you know there are a few people around even though I am of no help.  For what it's worth, if it were me, I would go with Tiara and be sure everything lines up unless of course there is a big price differential.

[Whefour]

Thanks to the both of you for your input.

[Uhehner]

To Photoman41

I suggest you install the new type water pumps on your 8.1's. The front crankshaft mounted units are failure prone,sometimes only lasting two years.
The new style side mounted pumps seem to be problem free. The mod kits are an easy fix. Capt.  George

[Dakota773]

I had some similar, although not complete failure, of my fuel sending units on my 98 31 open.  I ordered the units from Tiara and they installed perfectly worked perfectly.  No screwing around on a pretty critical item.

I think it was worth the cost for the piece of mind and confidence in the repair.

[slipfit]

Tiara does not make the sending unit or the tank it mounts into.

Your best bet is to jump into the rear hatch and look for a manufacture tag on the tank.  Contact the manufacture with the model number of the tank and they will offer a direct replacement, and usually for much less without the Tiara markup.

I replaced mine a couple years ago.  If I remember correctly, my tanks were made by Florida Marine Tanks and they set me up at a reasonable cost.

 

[Uhehner]

All VDO gauges work with 240 (Empty) to 33 (Full) ohm senders. I have the old VDO catalog if you need any part numbers for adapters, senders, gaskets etc. Just ask.  Capt. George

[eric_nelson]

I'm repairing items on my 31 Open that I purchased two weeks ago. One item on my list is the replacement of my starboard fuel tank sending unit. My fuel gauge shows it to be empty, yet there is fuel in it. I suspect it is the sending unit and I have replaced these on my previous boats. Tiara quoted me $170.00 to replace with factory unit. Has anyone used the Moeller brand of sending units that are available at West Marine? Are the mounting holes in the base universal? I noticed that the wiring on the factory unit are encapsulated while Moeller is not. Not sure if this is a big issue.

Hi, had a problem with our port side sending unit (2001 31 Open) and first replace with store bought, adjustable float. While it worked, I was not confident with the ablility for this unit to be accurate. We ended up buying a replacement from Amazon ( Moeller Marine Electrical Reed Switch Fuel Sending Unit ) for under 60.00 and installed in minutes...works perfectly.

Good Luck,

Eric

[Whefour]

Hi, had a problem with our port side sending unit (2001 31 Open) and first replace with store bought, adjustable float. While it worked, I was not confident with the ablility for this unit to be accurate. We ended up buying a replacement from Amazon ( Moeller Marine Electrical Reed Switch Fuel Sending Unit ) for under 60.00 and installed in minutes...works perfectly.

Good Luck,

Eric


Eric,
Do you recall which Moeller unit you selected? According to their website, you need to know tank depth. Mine is 126 gallons but i do not know the physical dimension.