Re: Tricky Fuel Gauge
Yo gents:<br /><br />Fuel sloshing is a fact of life. You can slow it down, but you can't stop it. You think a boat is bad, how about a vehicle which hits the brakes! Baffles are put in to slow the rushing of fuel, but again, can't prevent sloshing. So...what does the manufacturer do to overcome this problem? They dampen the fuel gauge movement(needle). That way, it only gives an average reading of the highs and lows of the sloshing which works out fairly accurate of the actual tank level. They dampen the needle with a small vessel of silicone oil. Its like putting a blob of grease on the gauge needle.(slows it down)<br />If the silicon grease leaks out.....the gauge needle will follow exactly whats going on in the tank sender.....up and down....up and down.....<br /><br />So in answer to all of this.....<br />>gauge dampening could be bad = replace gauge<br />>sender may have open in it at a given level = replace sender<br /><br />First thing I'd do is remove the sender from tank. With wires still connected and key on, SLOWLY move float from empty to full position several times. If gauges follows the sender perfectly and QUICKLY, replace gauge. If at some point in the travel the gauge takes off in either direction, replace sender.(sender open)If you look closely, you can often see excessive wear on the sender resistor and rubbing member.<br /><br />good luck!
