JD 5205 Fuel Sender Replacement

[5205deere]

All, my fuel sender unit on my JD 5205 started leaking fuel. I checked and it is the unit, not a gasket so I bought a new one. I went to remove the unit and all 5 bolts that secure it to the tank just turn and do not release.
Are these special bolts that have a special way to remove them ? It feels like the bolts have nuts on the inside of the tank. The only access to them are the fill opening whick is ~ 3 feet away and much too small for any tool .
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I wish I knew. That sounds like a tough situation.

 

[joecdeere]

Most of those plastic tanks had threaded brass inserts cast into the plastic, you may have a bit more of a problem than you started with

 

[6string]

Look here, diagram shows they are just cap screws. Select View parts catalog and enter model. I have a 5105 and it is the same.

Parts

 

[kennyd]

Look here, diagram shows they are just cap screws. Select View parts catalog and enter model. I have a 5105 and it is the same.

Parts

6String...You can not link to JDParts, it won't work since you need to log-in.

But here is the picture, there are no nut in the diagram, only 5 M5x20 cap screws

 

[6string]

Kennyd, Were you able to open the Deere website from clicking "parts" on my thread? I was able to do it and look at the drawing.

 

[kennyd]

Kennyd, Were you able to open the Deere website from clicking "parts" on my thread? I was able to do it and look at the drawing.

No. It takes to the main page. You can view it because the site "remembers" your computer and log-in.

 

[5205deere]

Thanks all, looks like I will be doing some "innovative problem solving " !!

 

[6string]

Let us know what happens.

 

[5205deere]

Last update......The sender unit would not come off so I had to do some "engineering". The mddle portion of the sender unit where the 31" metal rod that the float rides was loose and would turn. It appeared the glue or silicone or whatever that translucent stuff they sealed it with was not holding anymore.I did what any country boy would have done....JD Weld. I filled the 1/4 inch void around the translucent stuff and let it cure for 1-2 days. The middle portion stopped spinning and I was able to plug the wiring back in because I was careful not to overdo the JB and no leaks with 18 gals. of fuel and mowing ~15 ac. The guage works and I am not losing expensive fuel anymore.
Thanks all.....

 

[kennyd]

Last update......The sender unit would not come off so I had to do some "engineering". The mddle portion of the sender unit where the 31" metal rod that the float rides was loose and would turn. It appeared the glue or silicone or whatever that translucent stuff they sealed it with was not holding anymore.I did what any country boy would have done....JD Weld. I filled the 1/4 inch void around the translucent stuff and let it cure for 1-2 days. The middle portion stopped spinning and I was able to plug the wiring back in because I was careful not to overdo the JB and no leaks with 18 gals. of fuel and mowing ~15 ac. The guage works and I am not losing expensive fuel anymore.
Thanks all.....

Good deal.

 

[6string]

Glad you got it fixed.

 

[Richi]

So was the gauge wasn't working before and the unit was leaking and the center of the unit turns. I have the same problem with the same tractor. You didn't buy a sending unit?

 

[pjb2643]

I wish you luck but I suspect it's a temporary fix. When you have a full tank of fuel, the sensor/float is at the top of the rod and fuel sloshing back-n-forth puts stress on the rod the sensor runs up-n-down on. The rod transfers the stress to the round bottom plate you see from the underside of the fuel tank. Mine fractured the bottom plate after a vigorous day of running a hay rake and dumped a full tank of diesel into the yard overnight. Truly a piss-poor design, like so many of the "small details" on my yr2005 JD 5205. Basic bones of the tractor are well designed but the "small details" stuff drive you crazy for JD's "cheap/lazy/poorly designed/whatever the reason" efforts. The first time I priced the replacement sensor unit it was around $350 at the local shop but it appears to be $227 on-line now. Either way, it doesn't matter because I'm NOT putting a JD fuel sensor back in.