Gas gauge

[Joeyptcb]

I have a Volvo penta 2006 4.3gxie.... My fuel gauge jumps around from E to half to F and flutters all around with plenty of gas in it.. Can anybody help me out to tell me why this is acting this way? Thanks. Joe

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

that is common on many boats as you are under-way. it is the fuel sloshing around in the fuel tank.

if you want the fuel to stop sloshing around, put the boat on land

 

[garbageguy]

Boat fuel gauges are often good enough just to give you a rough idea, and you get a feel for it. You may try removing and cleaning the wire to sender connection that is typically at the tank. You may need to remove and clean the connection at the gauge too. Many electrical problems can be remedied by making sure all connectors are shiny-metal clean, wires are properly sized and in good condition, connections are sealed. Dielectric grease on cleaned connectors before reconnecting may be beneficial.

 

[USA_boater]

Mine says 3/4 full when it is actually full while boat is stationary (land or water), and then after using a 1/4 tank or less the gauge reads 1/4 tank or so...I can have 3/4 tank and the gauge show barley above empty while boat is sitting still...I also would like to know why? Is there a sender in the tank that can go bad and make it act erratically?

 

[alldodge]

I have a Volvo penta 2006 4.3gxie.... My fuel gauge jumps around from E to half to F and flutters all around with plenty of gas in it.. Can anybody help me out to tell me why this is acting this way? Thanks. Joe

Gauge should be able to handle a certain amount of sloshing without bouncing.

Find the tank sending unit and locate the pink wire on it.
Turn key ON and then ground the pick wire, the gas gauge should peg full and stay there.

If it does, turn power OFF and remove the sending unit.
Cover the sending unit hole
Reconnect the pink wire and the black ground wire to the sender.
Turn key back ON and then slowly raise the float to see if the gauge comes up to full slow and steady.
If the gauge jumps around with very little movement of the sender, you need a new sender.
If you can move the sender a bit quicker (not real fast) and it bounces then probably need a gauge

Do some testing and let us know what you find