Fuel gauge problems

[mpdive12]

I just purchased a 2017 Starcraft EX23 with a 140 Suzuki. We have been trying to diagnose the fuel gauge readings on this thing. We bought it with a full tank and did a couple little boating runs for a a couple weekends. I told my wife that it seemed really good on fuel. The third time we had it out the gauge was reading in between half and three quarters. We had about a five mile run back to the marina. I happened to glance down and look at the gauge and it was reading about a half tank. A minute later in between half and a quarter tank. A couple minutes later it was under a quarter. When we finally reached the dock I was pegged on empty. I was sweating bullets. On the way home I fueled the boat and it took on 30 gallons. The tank rating says 39 gallons. I have a hard time believing it would peg empty with 10 gallons still in it even though I realize it can't draw all 39 gallons. Yesterday we went 22 miles down the Tennessee. river and stopped at the marina where I topped off with seven gallons. The ride back up the river saw the gauge stay pegged on a full tank all the way back up the river. The gauge never moved. I would think being down 7 gallons should have shown some movement. I have a small dowel rod that I tried to stick in the filler to get a visual on fuel levels, but something prevents it form going in even though it's only a 3/16 dowel.. Could explain why I'm forced to fuel so slowly with the constant splash back. Any ideas or suggestions?





j

 

[alldodge]

Probably need a new sender, but need to check

Have boat in well ventilated area, and/or place a fan to blow air over the tank area.

Pull sender from tank, and cover opening with something
Reconnect wires to sender, turn ignition ON and move the float up/down watching the gauge

 

[mpdive12]

Thanks alldodge. Sounds like a plan. I have to see where the sender is. The tank is in the pontoon pod. Looks like the pod is nut and bolted on.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if the boat sat for a while, the sender could be varnished over. when you have the sender assembly out, use a can of electrical contact cleaner on the rheostat

 

[mpdive12]

Just went up and took another look at it and the sending unit is nowhere in sight. It must sit somewhere on the top of the tank under the deck area. Looks like the aluminum engine/fuel pod would have to be dropped or lowered to gain access to it. I can't even imagine what would be involved in that. Probably removing the engine. Cant even access the wiring because the bottom of the pontoon is shielded. I could still test the sender from the back of the gauge correct?

 

[SHSU]

One thing to take into account is the placement of the fuel sender. If it is toward your stern in the tank it can give you faulty readings when up on plane since all the fuel is pushed back. So it will read full for a long time and then rapidly "empty" in a short amount of time. The tank doesnt stay level like our cars when driving (Level surface of course).

SHSU

 

[alldodge]

Look close for an access plate, its a requirement by USCG regs that the tank fittings must be accessible

 

[Scott Danforth]

does your 'toon sit level? if you are heavy in the back, you would get an errant reading like SHSU mentioned. if the tank is under the floor, there will be a soft patch or a deck hatch to inspect as AD mentioned

 

[Scott Danforth]

another thing, if you purchased the boat from a dealer, see about warranty

I believe that some items are warrantied for life, some for 6 years

 

[mpdive12]

First off, thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. I much appreciate it. I am going to go up and take another look and try to locate the sender. There are no visible wires on top of the tank that I can see but I may have missed something. Yes the boat sits high in front, but the way it dropped so quickly two weeks ago was really weird. it literally dropped 3/4 of a tank in five minutes. If I am able to post a video or pic I will in a little while. Thanks guys happy boating

 

[gm280]

Either way, you still can check the wiring and gauge. And I would do that just to verify they are working properly. Probably are, but doesn't hurt to verify. And knowing if you have a swing arm or reed type sender would help as well... Swing arm gives a linear gauge action while a reed type sensor displays in steps...

 

[mpdive12]

Thanks GM280. I kind of figured that I can just test the sensor from the back of the fuel gauge where the wires come in. I guess that’s assuming that the wiring is all good down to the tank LOL. Thank you so much I will update later once I take another look at this

 

[mpdive12]

Thanks Scott. We sent in the warrantee transfer from the first owner. After I did that we have conflicting information that says we were supposed to include a $500 fee for warranty transfer. Of course I can’t do anything right now with this virus thing. I almost wonder if it’s worth paying the 500 to cover the boat for another I think six years

 

[mpdive12]

Thanks Scott. We sent in the warrantee transfer from the first owner. After I did that we have conflicting information that says we were supposed to include a $500 fee for warranty transfer. Of course I can’t do anything right now with this virus thing. I almost wonder if it’s worth paying the 500 to cover the boat for another I think six years

 

[mpdive12]

WHOOO WHOOO!!! Went up to take another look at it didn’t see anything on top of the tank at all and just happened to look on the deck above it where the batteries are and there is an access port. Thank you for the suggestion about the Coast Guard access to all fittings. Are I feel much better now knowing that the pod would not have to be pulled down. Time to diagnose. I owe everybody a cold one. Meet you on the lake. Blessings to all

 

[SHSU]

See the pickups and what I believe is the fill, but no sender. You able to locate it?

SHSU

 

[mpdive12]

YES! The other pic is the access plate on the deck right in front of the batteries. My eyes never thought to look up there. It's a senior thing. Going up to check the sender today. I'm contemplating one of those shaft senders. I think it was called a reed switch or something.

 

[SHSU]

Link for Iboats fuel senders with breakdown of type

https://www.iboats.com/shop/boat-motor-parts/fuel-systems/marine-fuel-tank-sending-units.html

SHSU

 

[mpdive12]

Pulled the sensor and it is the reed type. Tank depth measures 15 inches depth. The KUS model is 10 inches. Definitely not the correct one for the boat but everything is working when manually operating the float. I don't get it. Taking it out today to see if there is movement after using some fuel. I could change out the sender for the proper length one but full is still full. When it reads empty I would probably still have a quarter tank left which might not be a bad thing. Crossing my fingers that this thing starts working correctly