Atkinson Tankmaster valve (mk 1) - plugged end?

[LardQ]

Hi All,
I've just removed and dismantled my corroded Tankmaster valve with the thinking that I'd change the filter and the pull-to-read valve plus FIT a sight gauge which, since before we moved in, it's never had.

Anyway, a few questions for you if I may......

1. I've had it confirmed that we have the mk1 valve and so the new filter would have to be be a mk11 version?? I've read from doctor google that it can be fitted (held in place) by using a cable tie. I'm assuming this can only mean fitting the cable tie to the 'long' shaft to stop the filter slipping down....if so, would not the cable tie slip down the shaft as well or am I over thinking it?

2. Does anyone know if 'they' still sell mk1 filters?

3. As the valve has never had a sight tube, the 'open' end was full of dirt and very corroded but I've still managed to unscrew the fitting, leaving clean threads on the main valve body BUT when I look inside there appears to be a rubber 'bung' and rubber stem??? meaning that even if the pull-to-read valve had been working, there is no way that oil could have bypassed the 'bung'.....anyone ever seen this? Seems like the valve has been 'plugged'.......can I simply remove it?

4. Would a new sight gauge fit the mk1 valve body?

Any help/guidance would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[oilhead]

If you buy a complete new gauge, I think you'll find that you can leave the tank fitting in the tank, with the tap turned off and the new valve fits onto it solving the pull to read problem and the gauge question. If you still want to use the old valve and just use a new filter then the best solution is to cut a piece of plastic tube to the correct length and use it as a spacer beneath the new filter. At one time, Atkinson supplied this as a kit.

 

[LardQ]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I know I can simply replace the whole valve as, as you say, the tank is automatically sealed when the valve is removed and only allows oil flow when the new valve is fitted.......but where's the fun in that and, besides this, I'm too tight to buy a new one .

What I forgot to make clear was that the old one still worked but, as a tinkerer, I've been waiting for good weather to take it off and give it a good cleaning due to the top corrosion etc (this didn't affect the working of the valve).

Since posting I've had a look at a brand new sight tube and am now pretty sure that previously 'someone' fitted a form of 'blanking plug' that completely shut off the use of a sight tube......perhaps there's an alternative electronic version??

Anyway, I'm happy to just refit the now 'cleaned' valve (with a new wheel) and carry on as before - albeit now with the knowledge of how it works.

My other alternative is to try and remove that blanking plug to allow me to fit a sight tube BUT I'm concerned that, even though I don't see how, I could damage the valve resulting in needing to buy a complete new one.

Does anyone know any of the answers to my original 1,2 and 4th questions though?

Thanks