Removing diesel brass gauge from diesel tank

[RonNP]

My aft diesel tank's fuel gauge hasn't worked since the day I bought the boat. I've got a new gauge and can't get the old one off for the life of me.

I've soaked it in PB blaster for a day, bought the correct 2 3/8 socket, have a breaker bar, heated up the brass and brought in the largest guy from my gym to try to break it free. No luck but he did bend my breaker bar. Any more suggestions? I've thought about using the dremel but am not sure I want to go down that route.

Thanks

[hoop1013]

How much "heat"??? There is probably pipe dope in that fitting and requires a lot more heat than you would think to break it free. It sounds though you've already gone down the right road, But you may just need to do a little bit more of it. Get the fitting hotter than you would ever think it needed to be, and then apply a bunch of slow steady pressure on that breaker bar with the emphasis on slow and steady!

[RonNP]

Im not using a torch just a heat gun. I will see what I can do with a little more heat. Thanks!

[hoop1013]

I really can't over emphasize the slow and steady part.

[SEVEN]

I had the same issue. Used a torch after taking off the plastic gauge on top. If you left it on it would melt. I centered the torch and got it really hot before it slowly started to move. Hope the PO didn't use 5200 as a thread dope. Good luck

[davidwigler]

I'm not sure why but sometimes it works to tighten first until it breaks free.

[Avenger]

3/4" impact gun?

[hoop1013]

I would be afraid to use an impact gun especially that large, there is the possibility of tearing the fitting out of the fiberglass.

[Glory]

The plate the gauge is in is much harder to remove, I doubt the the impact would hurt the plate or it's mounting.

[SKYCHENEY]

I agree. You will not rip out the plate. I got all of mine out with a breaker bar and a length of pipe but I wouldn't hesitate to use a 3/4 impact on it.