F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

[ndemge]

'84 F250 with 19 Gallon Tank (mechanical fuel pump)<br /><br />Bought the truck this summer, this is the next thing to fix, but not sure what the problem is:<br /><br /><br />Fill the Tank, Gauge shows full, climbs normally and stops right at full.<br /><br />When gauge shows empty, it will hold about 9 gallons.<br /><br />I filled up a 5gallon tank for a reserve and hit the road, needle drops about 1/8" below empty and stops, I kept driving it until I figured I should be about empty, and I was able to put in 18.5 gallons (cut it real close)<br /><br />so, it uses the whole tank, but only shows you the first 1/2 on the guage.<br /><br />Thoughts?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

Considering it is an 84 the sending unit is in trouble. They are not too hard to replace but you have to drop the tank. You can usually repair them by cleaning off the corrosion and getting the unit freed up but if you are that far into the tank you might as well replace it.<br /><br />If it's any consolation my 78 ford bronco acts the same way.

 

[ndemge]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

Thanks Bob.... Sending unit is over $100.... will keep my eye out on ebay, if you have time to wait for a part, can usually find a NOS from someone cleaning out their garage from vehicles they used to own.<br /><br />Looks like a pretty easy tank to drop, nothing in the way, will just run it dry

 

[JasonJ]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

What Bob said...I have done that a few times and it has worked quite well, and is very cheap (free) to do.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

You know with the right manpower sometimes it may be easier to remove the bed to access the tank. Bed bolts are usually easier than tank straps.

 

[ndemge]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

bob.... usually, except when you have gooseneck hardware going through the bed.<br /><br />What's the success rate of cleaning the contacts and re-installing? Will I have to do it again in a year, or can that last a long time? I'm all for saving the $ as long as it's not a yearly maintnance of removing the tank.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

Pretty long lasting (never had to do it twice) as long as the problem was corrosion and it is cleaned up. Once you have the sending unit out you can play with it and have someone watch the guage.

 

[Bondo]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

A little Tip to Keep the Corrosion at bay,.......<br /><br />After you've cleaned,+ reinstalled the sending unit,+ just before you reinstall the tank,............<br /><br />Slather the El out of the sending unit,+ the top of the tank in that area,..........With plain ole Grease........<br />It Can't Corrode if Water Can't get to it,...... And the Grease will make Sure that Doesn't get Wet..................

 

[KRS]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

If there were a useful application of grease in this repair... Bondo would know! <br /><br />Fuel gauges effectively display E-F based on a resistance it receives from the sending unit, or corroded/shorting wires on the way to the sending unit.<br /><br />I would try pulling the wires, cleaning everything, schmear it (bondo style) and see if that helps..... but I would do that only if you can reach it without tank removal... if you gotta drop the tank, then go get a junkyard replacement from any f250 and just replace it.

 

[ndemge]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

Thanks y'all<br /><br />Will let ya know what I find out when I drop the tank. Will have to watch the weather to and wait for a dry spell.

 

[ndemge]

Re: F250 Fuel Gauge Problem, only reads half of the tank.

January in Missouri, and it was 65 this weekend...<br /><br /><br />Dropped the tank on the truck, had less than 2 gallons left <br /><br />Took out the sender, removed the cover over the resistor wires, and half of them are broke, the rest are worn and ready to break. Wish I could buy JUST THAT PART... so now I just look for the best price on a sender, glad we dropped the the tank, the filler tube and the gas line were all rotten and the gas line had developed a small leak at the top of the tank that hadn't been noticed yet.