Was there a fuel gauge in a 443B

[MaxW]

Currently there is no fuel gauge in our 443B. The manual for the 440/443 shows an illustration of mechanical gauge in the right side fuel tank cap. Maybe a previous owner removed this or maybe it never had a gauge.

Previously I had the plastic panel holding the voltage and temperature gauges off and I noticed the plastic panel was molded to allow a third gauge to be added. Perhaps an electric fuel gauge in the panel was an option or maybe the panel was made for multiple machines.

Was an electric fuel gauge an option on a 443B? If it was, where was the fuel sender installed in the tank? Where the cap was, or is there a knock out in the tank? The 443B has the poly tank behind the seat above the engine.

If the only option was a mechanical gauge in the cap where can I get one? There seems to be a number of cap style gauges on ebay for snowmobiles or John Deer tractors and other types of machines. They seem to come in different sizes and lengths, has anyone made any of those work?

 

[Tazza]

I believe it only had a mechanical one.
I have heard of others using a special device, it was just a stick. Open the cap, dunk it in, putt it out and where the fuel mark was indicated how much fuel you had left. Crude, but it does work.
I'm sure you could modify one to work for you. If you work out the length (with said special stick) from the top of the cap to the base of the tank you could work from there. Just take an inch or soo off the length to ensure you still have a little fuel left.

 

[MaxW]

I believe it only had a mechanical one.
I have heard of others using a special device, it was just a stick. Open the cap, dunk it in, putt it out and where the fuel mark was indicated how much fuel you had left. Crude, but it does work.
I'm sure you could modify one to work for you. If you work out the length (with said special stick) from the top of the cap to the base of the tank you could work from there. Just take an inch or soo off the length to ensure you still have a little fuel left.

Ya, thought about using a stick, but then that increases the chance of dust and dirt in the fuel. We've just been topping up the tank every time it's used. A gas gauge is a luxury... but it still would be nice to have one, even if it were just one of the $15 mechanical ones from ebay.

 

[6brnorma]

Ya, thought about using a stick, but then that increases the chance of dust and dirt in the fuel. We've just been topping up the tank every time it's used. A gas gauge is a luxury... but it still would be nice to have one, even if it were just one of the $15 mechanical ones from ebay.

Flashlight.......

 

[OldMachinist]

Flashlight.......

It was likely like my 453. The gauge is a dial in the cap attached to a float like the old riding lawn mowers had. It works but it has a vent hole in it and fuel mixed with dust forms a crud layer on the clear plastic face that nearly impossible to clean off. So I just use a flashlight to look down in the tank.

 

[MaxW]

It was likely like my 453. The gauge is a dial in the cap attached to a float like the old riding lawn mowers had. It works but it has a vent hole in it and fuel mixed with dust forms a crud layer on the clear plastic face that nearly impossible to clean off. So I just use a flashlight to look down in the tank.

Thanks OldMachinist. If you still have the mechanical gauge cap, could you tell me how long it is? There are some 9" long gauge caps on ebay that might work if they are not to short.

 

[OldMachinist]

Thanks OldMachinist. If you still have the mechanical gauge cap, could you tell me how long it is? There are some 9" long gauge caps on ebay that might work if they are not to short.

It's 16.5" from the bottom of the cap to the end of the rods.

Here's a picture of the crud that forms on the clear plastic making the gauge unreadable.

And yes that's a birds nest behind the tank. I clean them out of there almost every week but they keep trying.

 

[OldMachinist]

It's 16.5" from the bottom of the cap to the end of the rods.

Here's a picture of the crud that forms on the clear plastic making the gauge unreadable.

And yes that's a birds nest behind the tank. I clean them out of there almost every week but they keep trying.

This is likely the right cap but I can't guarantee it will fit. http://bluskies.us/225capw16gauge.aspx
Measure the right side threaded neck on your tank to see if it's 2 1/4"

 

[MaxW]

This is likely the right cap but I can't guarantee it will fit. http://bluskies.us/225capw16gauge.aspx
Measure the right side threaded neck on your tank to see if it's 2 1/4"

Thanks OldMachinist, I appreciate the time and effort to take the measurements and post the links. I will check the cap diameter and threads, but that looks like the right part.

 

[OldMachinist]

Thanks OldMachinist, I appreciate the time and effort to take the measurements and post the links. I will check the cap diameter and threads, but that looks like the right part.

If you do order one let me know how it works out for you.

 

[OldMachinist]

If you do order one let me know how it works out for you.

I just found the thread spec on the Kelch cap I directed you. It's a 2 1/4" diameter, 5 threads per inch modified butress thread. Since its a plastic tank the diameter of the neck may be a little smaller than 2 1/4" .I'll check mine later today when I go out to feed the calves.

 

[Tazza]

I just found the thread spec on the Kelch cap I directed you. It's a 2 1/4" diameter, 5 threads per inch modified butress thread. Since its a plastic tank the diameter of the neck may be a little smaller than 2 1/4" .I'll check mine later today when I go out to feed the calves.

I wouldn't mind one of these for my compressor, but have yet to find one locally....

 

[MaxW]

I wouldn't mind one of these for my compressor, but have yet to find one locally....

Bobcat wants $31, which isn't that bad, but it's the usual two week wait for the order to come in.
But if the dealer one is the same as the original and it's going to fog over the Kelch/BlueSky one might be better.
I am going to check a couple of the local marine dealers to see what they have locally.
I didn't have my calipers with me today but my rough measurements of the cap diameter was 2 1/4".
A closer look at the cap and I think it used to be a gauge and the metal legs broke off. I wonder if the rest of it is inside the tank?

 

[OldMachinist]

I wouldn't mind one of these for my compressor, but have yet to find one locally....

Went out and fed a little early today and checked the thread. It is 2 1/4"-5TPI. You will need to find a large oring like whats shown on the diagram above because thats where it seals because the neck is shorter that normal tanks.