fuel tank size

dmikes62

Recruit
Joined
Jul 8, 2015
Messages
4
I just got a 1986 rinker v170 120 hp evinrude runs good but fuel gauge doesnt work does anyone know the size of tank and where the sending unit for fuel gauge is thanks I am new to this site and have not had a boat in 30 years so help needed
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
43,848
I just got a 1986 rinker v170 120 hp evinrude runs good but fuel gauge doesnt work does anyone know the size of tank and where the sending unit for fuel gauge is thanks I am new to this site and have not had a boat in 30 years so help needed

:welcome: to iboats

Since you cannot see it the tank is probably under the floor and the sender is on top of the tank.

Before you go cutting into the floor check the gauge. The gauge will have three to four wires on it.
Purple 12V
Black Ground
Pink to sender

May have a separate wire for lighting
 

thumpar

Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
6,138
It really depends on the boat. On my old boat I could unscrew the middle floor panel and see the whole gas tank. On my current boat I have a small access hatch to get to the top of the sender and fuel lines.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
No need to remove anything until you determine if it,s wiring, the gauge, or the sender.
1) jump the "S" (sender) terminal on the gauge to the "G" (ground) terminal with the key on.
2) The needle should jump to full. If it doesn't go to step 3). If it does, the problem is the pink wire going to the sender or the sender itself. Now is the time to locate the sender.
3) Ensure there is 12 volts on the "I" terminal of the gauge and that the ground terminal is indeed grounded.
4) If there is 12 volts and ground at the gauge and step 1 didn't make the needle go to full you have a bad gauge.
5) If the gauge pegs full when tested, repeat this test by shorting the pink wire terminal at the tank to the metal shell of the sender. If the gauge still doesn't peg to full, the pink wire is broken between the sender and gauge or the metal shell of the sender is not properly grounded. If it does peg full, the wire is good as is the sender shell ground..
6) Now disconnect the pink wire at the gauge or at the sender. Using an ohm meter, measure the resistance between the pink wire terminal and the metal shell of the sender. Depending on the amount of fuel in the tank it should read somewhere between 30 and 240 ohms with 110 representing about half full. If you get no resistance reading or grossly erroneous reading, the sender is bad.
 
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