fuel guage problem
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fuel guage problem
Hi all
I have an '88 f-250 with twin tanks. In the year that I have owned it, both tanks always read full untill about a quarter tank then drop like and rock with the needle bouncing alot during that last quarter tank. However, now one tank reads empty all the time even though it's full. I'm guessing both senders are bad.
My questions are:
1) Is this a common problem?
2) Is it the senders?
3) Any special problems/tools needed to change senders?
4) Good place to order new senders?
Many thanks!!!
John H
I have an '88 f-250 with twin tanks. In the year that I have owned it, both tanks always read full untill about a quarter tank then drop like and rock with the needle bouncing alot during that last quarter tank. However, now one tank reads empty all the time even though it's full. I'm guessing both senders are bad.
My questions are:
1) Is this a common problem?
2) Is it the senders?
3) Any special problems/tools needed to change senders?
4) Good place to order new senders?
Many thanks!!!
John H
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
fuel guage problem
Hi all
I have an '88 f-250 with twin tanks. In the year that I have owned it, both tanks always read full untill about a quarter tank then drop like and rock with the needle bouncing alot during that last quarter tank. However, now one tank reads empty all the time even though it's full. I'm guessing both senders are bad.
My questions are:
1) Is this a common problem?
2) Is it the senders?
3) Any special problems/tools needed to change senders?
4) Good place to order new senders?
Many thanks!!!
John H
I have an '88 f-250 with twin tanks. In the year that I have owned it, both tanks always read full untill about a quarter tank then drop like and rock with the needle bouncing alot during that last quarter tank. However, now one tank reads empty all the time even though it's full. I'm guessing both senders are bad.
My questions are:
1) Is this a common problem?
2) Is it the senders?
3) Any special problems/tools needed to change senders?
4) Good place to order new senders?
Many thanks!!!
John H
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
fuel guage problem
Hi all
I have an '88 f-250 with twin tanks. In the year that I have owned it, both tanks always read full untill about a quarter tank then drop like and rock with the needle bouncing alot during that last quarter tank. However, now one tank reads empty all the time even though it's full. I'm guessing both senders are bad.
My questions are:
1) Is this a common problem?
2) Is it the senders?
3) Any special problems/tools needed to change senders?
4) Good place to order new senders?
Many thanks!!!
John H
I'm presuming you have a fuel injected engine. If so go to your local parts house that sells Carter fuel pumps, and get a fuel pump assembly for each tank. The assembly will include the sending unit, usually a lot cheaper than Ford. The real Carter units usually have a Ford label with the Ford part number on it. Beware of re-boxed import units. If its carbureted the only place for a sender is the dealer.
I have an '88 f-250 with twin tanks. In the year that I have owned it, both tanks always read full untill about a quarter tank then drop like and rock with the needle bouncing alot during that last quarter tank. However, now one tank reads empty all the time even though it's full. I'm guessing both senders are bad.
My questions are:
1) Is this a common problem?
2) Is it the senders?
3) Any special problems/tools needed to change senders?
4) Good place to order new senders?
Many thanks!!!
John H
I'm presuming you have a fuel injected engine. If so go to your local parts house that sells Carter fuel pumps, and get a fuel pump assembly for each tank. The assembly will include the sending unit, usually a lot cheaper than Ford. The real Carter units usually have a Ford label with the Ford part number on it. Beware of re-boxed import units. If its carbureted the only place for a sender is the dealer.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 37
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fuel guage problem
I have a similar problem with my 89 F250 351 EFI. Twin tanks, the front one has a small leak so I don't use it and the fuel gauge is inaccurate. The rear tank's gauge doesn't work at all. For the last year I've been using the mileage as my story pole. It's a bit of a gamble, but haven't run out of fuel yet. Anyhow, if you end up fixing this problem, please post how it went. That way I'll know what I can look forward to. Thanks, good luck.
-John
-John
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 100
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From: Stafford USA
fuel guage problem
Hi,
My setup is similar to your except mine is an '87. My guages are acting the same way yours are. When I changed the rear tank due to a leak, I found a lot of rust around the locking ring for the pickup. Being in a hurry I didn't take the time to clean everything as well as I could have when I put it back together. The guage for that tank actually worked ok for a while then started acting like the other one. Point of this is I believe that rust around the locking ring/fuel pickup is the culprit I just haven't had time to verify it.
On another note, my fuel pickup didn't have an electric pump on it, just a filter sock and float.
Rodger
1987 F-250 Lariat 4x4 460 auto
My setup is similar to your except mine is an '87. My guages are acting the same way yours are. When I changed the rear tank due to a leak, I found a lot of rust around the locking ring for the pickup. Being in a hurry I didn't take the time to clean everything as well as I could have when I put it back together. The guage for that tank actually worked ok for a while then started acting like the other one. Point of this is I believe that rust around the locking ring/fuel pickup is the culprit I just haven't had time to verify it.
On another note, my fuel pickup didn't have an electric pump on it, just a filter sock and float.
Rodger
1987 F-250 Lariat 4x4 460 auto
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fuel guage problem
I'll take a look for rust but this is a CA truck and the truck is very clean. Will also price the fuel pumps. I'll probably try one at a time to see if that's it. Any other suggestions?
John H
John H
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Junior User
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fuel guage problem
I replaced my sending unit on my '87 F-150 shortly after buying the truck. It was worn out due to the small tank size (constant refilling), and the needle was no longer making contact with the plastic board in the unit. Not too hard to remove and replace, but it is much easier if you have access to a lift and a transmission jack. This is a tall hydraulic lift with a stand on top that really helps to balance the tank. Just remember to reach up on top once the tank is partially lowered and disconnect the sending unit wires and fuel lines before dropping it completely out and damaging something. (Carburated trucks will have one fuel line, fuelies have two; one feeder line and one for return.) If you don't have a lift, it really helps to have someone helping hold the tank for you. Good luck.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2001
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fuel guage problem
I to am having the same problem. 1988 F250 dual tanks Fuel Injected with a 351M. Now the way I see it if was only one tank I would say Sending Unit. Since its both tanks Im going to see if there is a resistor on the back of the DashBoard. I think it might control the electrical voltage to the Fuel Guage itself. I might be wrong. Just started looking into the problem. Like I said both units going bad at the same time I don't think so but anything is possible.
Marc W.
Marc W.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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fuel guage problem
If the problem lies with the sending unit, it will depend on whether or not your truck is fuel injected. Early models have a pump in the tank and one on the frame to increase pressure. Carburated trucks have no pump in the tank, just on on the left side of the engine. (The 460 may be an exception. I think it has in tank pumps.) I am almost positive that the sending unit is always sold with a fuel pump attached, though you can buy a separate pump. Even if you do have fuel injection, it is probably a good idea to replace the in tank pump. They all go bad eventually, so you might as well save youself a headache and a lot of hitchiking later on.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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fuel guage problem
You said that one tank always reads empty, which might be just a bad ground. Check your wire connections and ground for loose fitting and corrosion before anything else. WD-40 and a wire brush are a hell of a lot cheaper than sending units.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
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fuel guage problem
I have seen this doezens of times the float has a hole in it and fills with gas and sinks showing an empty tank. This has been such a problem that Ford sells the floats in 2 pks. The problem is two fold one the floats are really thin and 2 the rod that they snap on to is to tight causing them to crush over time causing the leak. There can be other issues but this has been the what I have seen the most of. You can test to see if the circuit is good from the tank to the gauge I built a tester that has two sets of resistors one set that should show an empty tank and one that should cause the gauge to read full. I don't remember the values now but they are documneted in the shop manuals.I unplug the wires at the tank and hook up the tester if the readings are right then the problem is in the tank either float(usually) or sender. Any way you do it the tank(s) have to come down.
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