Gas gauge question
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- Iluv2hunt
- Third Beader
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Gas gauge question
On my boat I have an electronic fuel gauge. It has bars that go up, the more fuel that is in it. I noticed the last few trips that I didn't think I was getting an accurate reading on fuel level. I sorta know in my mind how much gas is in the tank, so if the gauge says something different, I realize there is a problem. Been noticing that sometimes I fire the boat up in the yard and it will flash low fuel. Then later on, it will show full, or whatever level is in it..
This past weekend, I knew I had about a half tank (60 gallon capacity). I cranked it up on the hose in the yard, and it registered 1 bar less than half tank. I pulled the boat into town to wash it, then gas it up. When I filled up on gas, it took 24 gallons and it was full to the top(had a bit run out the air vent), so I know it was full...
Get on the water, idling out the river and I showed 3/4 of a tank. Hmmmmmm..... Well, I ran a total of 40 miles, and by the time I had run about 20 or so miles I noticed the fuel gauge was dropping. The whole run back in I flashed low fuel. I am the worrying/panicking type, so I am worried about being out of gas. I came to my senses and realized that I am not losing fuel. No smell of gas, and the bilge only pumped out less than a gallon of water..
So obviously I have a problem with the gauge system... Question is, what is the problem??
The boat did sit idle for at least a year. I'm wondering if it is the float inside the tank? Sending unit? Gauge itself? Need some advice on where to start before I start tearing things apart and spending money to replace...
This past weekend, I knew I had about a half tank (60 gallon capacity). I cranked it up on the hose in the yard, and it registered 1 bar less than half tank. I pulled the boat into town to wash it, then gas it up. When I filled up on gas, it took 24 gallons and it was full to the top(had a bit run out the air vent), so I know it was full...
Get on the water, idling out the river and I showed 3/4 of a tank. Hmmmmmm..... Well, I ran a total of 40 miles, and by the time I had run about 20 or so miles I noticed the fuel gauge was dropping. The whole run back in I flashed low fuel. I am the worrying/panicking type, so I am worried about being out of gas. I came to my senses and realized that I am not losing fuel. No smell of gas, and the bilge only pumped out less than a gallon of water..
So obviously I have a problem with the gauge system... Question is, what is the problem??
The boat did sit idle for at least a year. I'm wondering if it is the float inside the tank? Sending unit? Gauge itself? Need some advice on where to start before I start tearing things apart and spending money to replace...
I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt them because I have to. ~Colonel Tom Kelly
- Iluv2hunt
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Re: Gas gauge question
The ball is fine and the motor runs like a raped ape.
I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt them because I have to. ~Colonel Tom Kelly
- flhuntfish
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Re: Gas gauge question
Is that good or bad?Iluv2hunt wrote:and the motor runs like a raped ape.
- Iluv2hunt
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Re: Gas gauge question
Considering I spent over $300 to fix problems ethanol caused it is a good thing
I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt them because I have to. ~Colonel Tom Kelly
- huntingfool
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Re: Gas gauge question
Al mine does the same thing, it shows more fuel when on the trailer then on the water..Alot has to do with the angle the boat sits..And when you are running with the nose up you may show low fuel, it depends in where the sending unit is on the fuel tank..if it is in the front when the nose comes up the fuel goes toward the back of the tank therefore showing low fuel...just my 2 cents..if it is showing low fuel constantly, then I would say bad sending unit..its typically easy to replace..should have a access port on the deck of the boat that is centered over the tank..pop that access cover and there should be the top of the tank and the sending unit..a few screws out and pull the old and replace with the new..I will be glad to help ya...
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- kemster99
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Re: Gas gauge question
if it does once in awhile, could just be a bad ground. used to have to chase grounds on my boat all the time.huntingfool wrote:Al mine does the same thing, it shows more fuel when on the trailer then on the water..Alot has to do with the angle the boat sits..And when you are running with the nose up you may show low fuel, it depends in where the sending unit is on the fuel tank..if it is in the front when the nose comes up the fuel goes toward the back of the tank therefore showing low fuel...just my 2 cents..if it is showing low fuel constantly, then I would say bad sending unit..its typically easy to replace..should have a access port on the deck of the boat that is centered over the tank..pop that access cover and there should be the top of the tank and the sending unit..a few screws out and pull the old and replace with the new..I will be glad to help ya...
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- Iluv2hunt
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Re: Gas gauge question
By the end of the day it was showing low fuel, whether I was on plane, or at idle speed. Even when it was sitting dead level on the trailer flushing the motor
I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt them because I have to. ~Colonel Tom Kelly
Re: Gas gauge question
I'm fairly certain you have a problem with your gas gauge.
- trouttouter
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Re: Gas gauge question
If you are showing low fuel when you are idling (and you know there is plenty of gas in the tank), then you most likely have a sending unit problem.
- gargoyle725
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Re: Gas gauge question
I dont know boats but with my wave runners problems like those are usually corrosion. check the connections on the gauge first,its the one place that never gets cleaned and the salt air can cause a build up.
I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option
I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
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- Eagle Scout
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Re: Gas gauge question
my jeep sending unit did the same thing. my mechanic said that the ethanol levels in the gas have been screwin them up. not sure if he is right, but he said he has replaced several sending units in the past couple years. i ordered one from jc whitney and put it in a couple months back and within 2 months it was not reading accurately and then just stopped reading all together. maybe just try a new sending unit. i fill my jeep up every 4 or 5 days no matter how much i drive, just so i dont run out, til i get off my butt and order a new sending unit.
Re: Gas gauge question
I agree with gargoyle. Check the connections at both the sending unit and on the back of the gauge. You may also not be filling the boat all the way up when it's on the trailer, like huntingfool said, especially if the boat is not sitting level like it would at idle in the water. I find it's a little more expensive, but best to fill the boat up while on the water in the marina for a couple reasons. 1. Marina gas normally doesn't have ethanol (I know, some do now), and 2. The boat is setting level, so filling up will definitely fill it up. Just make sure you have a catch can around the overflow vent so you don't dump fuel in the water.
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