Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

[AZSenza]

Hi All,
1997 Larson 226LXi 5.7EFI BIII Drive. This boat has a 42 or so gallon tank the strange thing is at about 25 gallons it runs out of gas. Its got a poly tank, I can see the back thru an access hole. Gas gauge shows 1/2 tank when it ran out and when I filled it up it took 26 gallong to the top of the filler. Can anyone tell me what kind of pickup it would use? Like a solid tube type or a flexible weighted one. I'm prepared to cut an access hole at the front (Where the hook-ups are) but would kind of like to have an idea of what I'm going to run into. THANKS

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

There should already be an "access hole" in the top of the tank where the sending unit fuel lines and depending on you set up fuel pump go in the tank do not cut a hole in your gas tank.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

Yeah, I'm sure theres an access hole in the tank but I have to cut one in the floor to get to it!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

Ayuh,...

There'll be a ridged, or semi-ridged pickup tube,...

My guess is, Your's is cracked or broken....

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

Thanks Bondo! I'll tackle this problem tomorrow and get back with the details.

 

[joed]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

There might already be an access hole. It could be one of the seats needs to be removed. On my Smokercraft I remove the aluminum mount from the floor and the sender is directly below it.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

Had I designed the boat there would be! Unfortunately... the only access is at the rear of the tank through a table mount, through that I can see the lines run forward about 2-3 feet. I'll take measurements with a tape measure, carefully cut the carpet and make a small hole at the approximate position, then based on those findings, ajust the final hole position. When I'm done I'll place an access port there.

 

[nlain]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

You probably won't see this but I think I would try to get the carpet up enough to look under it, there should be an access hole already there. You could still pop a hole in something when you go through the deck with the drill.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

Before you rip up the floor, make sure the fuel pump is OK. It may be marginal and not capable of sucking fuel once the level gets to 1/2 tank.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Gas Tank stops picking up at 1/2 tank

Ok, the pickup was under the backseat, inside the storage compartment. No access hole, there is now! I made it small just enough to access it. No obvious problems???
everything was tight but just to make sure I took it all out and resealed all the threads etc... My only thought is the location of the pickup, Its possible that it was picking up fuel while on plane or at idle but when I accellerated the fuel sloshed to the back to far for the pickup to do its job.
Oh well. At least I was able to get a good look at all the flooring! Its nice, dry and rot free!