Fuel gauge Issue

[Kevinsheehy]

So Yesterday I bought a boat and the guy told me it had half a tank of gas in a 30 gallon tank. On the way home I stopped to fill it up and it only took it 6 gallons to top it off. I started the boat at home and the gauge read half a tank. It was definatly full so there must be a issue with the reading. What I was thinking is just to start troubleshooting the issue but not sure if I should run out most of the gas before opening anything on or around the tank. Any advice or input on what to check first or what to try to see what the issue is?

The boat is a 1984 19' Bayliner with a Volvo Penta I/O engine.

 

[Kevinsheehy]

Re: Fuel gauge Issue

It stays pretty steady at a half a tank and looks the same as it didn't before I added the 6 gallons.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Fuel gauge Issue

Do a search on fuel sender troubleshooting and you'll find all you want to know....personally I wouldnt bother with it...even when they are working perfectly they arent worth a damn....fill it up everytime you go out and get a sense for how much you burn per outing and you'll never go wrong.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel gauge Issue

Kevin, You can run some of the gas out of it, so it doesn't slosh around too much. There should be a panel or hatch over the tank. Remove it and the 4-5 screws around the gauge sender, and pull the sender out of the tank. Now manipulate the float and see if the gauge responds.

Some gas tanks will never have accurrate gauges, due to their orientation in the boat or other design issues. Some other's have inoperative senders or gauges.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Fuel gauge Issue

Lord, is this the season for fuel gage issues, or what? Ethanol? Planet alignment? Karma? Oil spill?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Fuel gauge Issue

Check the connections on the back of the fuel guage first. Make sure you have a proper ground.

 

[Kevinsheehy]

Re: Fuel gauge Issue

Kevin, You can run some of the gas out of it, so it doesn't slosh around too much. There should be a panel or hatch over the tank. Remove it and the 4-5 screws around the gauge sender, and pull the sender out of the tank. Now manipulate the float and see if the gauge responds.

Some gas tanks will never have accurrate gauges, due to their orientation in the boat or other design issues. Some other's have inoperative senders or gauges.

Makes alot of sense Chris, I will try the electrical tests first like the other guys said then if still no luck run out some of the gas and then try what you suggested.