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May 31, 2004 | 11:45 PM

82f1504x4

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From: tacoma-wa

gas tank question

i have an 82 f150 4x4 4.9l and it has dual tanks the problem is the front gas tank, the gauge reads full when i fill it up all the way then after using im guessing half a take it is all the way dwon below Empty any ideas on what is going on and how to fix it??

thanks in advance
justin

Jun 1, 2004 | 01:07 AM

Superdave

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From: Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82f1504x4

Most likely, the fuel level sending unit is bad.

I had the same issue with the rear tank sending unit on my 82.

New sending unit, fixed it right up.

Jun 1, 2004 | 09:00 AM

drive_old_ride_new

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From: Kirkland, WA

My gauge on my front tank does not work. How hard is it to change the sending unit? How long did it take you to replace?

Thx - DORN

Jun 1, 2004 | 01:35 PM

82f1504x4

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From: tacoma-wa

thanks ill try it

Jun 1, 2004 | 02:24 PM

Big Orn

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From: NE Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by drive_old_ride_new

My gauge on my front tank does not work. How hard is it to change the sending unit? How long did it take you to replace?

Thx - DORN

Getting the tank out/in is the hardest part, which is not hard unless the fasteners are rusty.

I would drain all the gas out, as much as possible anyway, and have a friend help you get the tank out. Replacing the sending unit is a peice of cake.

Jun 1, 2004 | 02:32 PM

drive_old_ride_new

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From: Kirkland, WA

While replacing my exhaust this weekend, I noticed that I have clear and easy access to the top of my forward tank. Is it required that I remove the tank to replace the sending unit?

Any online sources for sending units. (I'm kinda down on dealerships right now.) I got raped by one while stranded in CA while on vacation.

Thx - DORN

Jun 1, 2004 | 02:43 PM

Big Orn

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From: NE Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by drive_old_ride_new

I would. You can see that the gasket seats properly and you can also knock out all the rust that's bound to be in there.

Of course you can get to it easily if you have a super-sized body lift.

Check our sponsors at the top of the page for the unit.

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Jun 2, 2004 | 06:15 AM

srercrcr

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Bad grounds. Ford truck fuel gauge errors are notorious. Mine has read wrong on both tanks for 15 years. Here's my solution.....
1. Fill tank A, with some left over in tank B.
2. When you've driven 250 miles on tank A, fill Tank B.
3. When you've driven tank B 250 miles, fill tank A.
If you happen to run out of gas, you have the leftovers in the other tank as your reserve. You can adjust the "250 miles" for your driving habits, engine, or operating conditions.

Jun 2, 2004 | 12:40 PM

#10

wtroger

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I have worked on dozens of these tanks and 95% of time it is the float that has gone bad. this is a $5.00 dollar item from Ford. The job is the same drop the tank and remove lock ring remove sender from tank. Either replace sender or float. You can test to make sure the gauge in the dash is working by pulling the power line going to the sender and putting a ten ohm resistor in the line to ground the gauge should read pretty near full

Jun 3, 2004 | 12:03 PM

#11

hoxiii

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From: Pittsburgh

I do basically the same thing as srercrcr, except whenever i switch tanks I go staright to the gas station to fill the previous one up. It's always nice to have 18 gallons on reserve

.

Justin

Jun 5, 2004 | 02:22 AM

#12

Superdave

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From: Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by drive_old_ride_new

My gauge on my front tank does not work. How hard is it to change the sending unit? How long did it take you to replace?

Thx - DORN

You need to drop the tank.

Takes longer to get the tank down than it does to change the sending unit.

When you have symptoms like 82f1504x4, its most likely the sending unit itself. The reostat breaks at a certain point on the sender, making it loose its reading, and then you have the situation where the gauge reads to a certain point and then it quits (drops to empty).

To check the gauge first, ground the sending unit wire to anything under the truck, it will peg the gauge. Don't know if that works on 90's or newer stuff, but it does on the old ones.

Jun 5, 2004 | 09:16 PM

#13

Scott Fraser

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From: Thunder Bay, ON

I've had trouble trying to find an aftermarket sending unit for the front tank of my '83. The only one I can find is at Ford. Where do you guys find your sending units?

Jun 7, 2004 | 01:02 AM

#14

Superdave

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From: Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Fraser

I've had trouble trying to find an aftermarket sending unit for the front tank of my '83. The only one I can find is at Ford. Where do you guys find your sending units?

I had to buy mine from the local Ford dealer.

Try here, though. E-mail them with a request for the part your wanting.

http://www.fordpartsnetwork.com/

Of course I found this place after I bought mine local. These guys can save you some money on orignal Ford parts. I have bought through them and had no problems at all.

Last edited by Superdave; Jun 7, 2004 at 01:33 AM.