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Problems with gas guage

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Old Nov 8, 2004 | 06:19 PM
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Problems with gas guage

I recently purchased a 1995 F-150 its a beautiful truck. Well I am having problems with the gas guage, I can normally go about 220 per tank (dual tanks) but from about 150mi it is on empty. Whats going on with this, has this been brought up before? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2004 | 06:37 PM
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Popa Tim
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It is quite common (perhaps std) for vehicles to read empty long before they really are. This does 3 things I can think of off hand.
1- it gives you a reserve to get to the gas station
2- it prevents you from really running out of gas and attempting to pump air, which could burn out the fuel pump.
and
3- if prevents you from filling the gas line with water. There is always ~some~ water in the gas you buy and since it floats on gas, its the last to get sucked up....

otherwise, yes i was amazed at the reserve myself when I had to run the tank dry to work on it just a few weeks ago myself!!

Popa Tim
 
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Old Nov 8, 2004 | 07:11 PM
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Wow, 220 per tank? I get like 140. Im *fixing* it tho .

Anyways, mine doesnt do that. Once its on 'E' it means EMPTY!. I thought that maybe it could stay on 'E' for a while... Nope. Good thing theres dual tanks.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2004 | 09:08 PM
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Thanx for the advice papo Tim but I dont think if could be a reserve, no I ride motorcycles so I can see where you are getting at. but I dont think that it should be on E that long. I can see going a couple miles but not about 40.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2004 | 11:52 PM
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Could be your fuel sending unit is going south for good. One of mine is and first it just starts bouncing and then it goes and sits on E for another 20 miles. You can either live with it or replace it. Worst part for replacing it is dropping the tank. The bit about water floating on gas is wrong. That was why in the NAVY we had water compensated fuel tanks that worked. Fuel is lighter than water (sheen on water when you spill).
 
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Old Nov 9, 2004 | 11:25 AM
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Thanx for the info Eric thats what I was leaning towards but I just wasnt sure. I have checked with the local auto zones and they dont even carry the part.....But ill keep looking
 
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Old Nov 9, 2004 | 11:32 AM
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Had to hit the local Ford dealer for mine.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2004 | 02:58 PM
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How much did it set you back if you dont mind me askin.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2004 | 03:11 PM
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Auto Zone doesn't like to do any searches. Try NAPA, Car Quest, Schucks, or O'Riely's. Mine was like $78.00 or $82.00 for the assembly with the pump for the Bronco II.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2004 | 06:49 PM
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Does that happen on both tanks?
 
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Old Nov 10, 2004 | 05:32 AM
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I don't recall specifically, but it wasn't much. Here's the catch...while you have the tank down, its not a bad idea to do the fuel pump as well. That's where the big money is.

I'd give the local Ford dealership a call and see how much they can give it to you for, and ask if they know any auto parts stores that'll carry it. Dealerships are using expensive and they know it. I've gotten some of the best shopping advice from the guy behind the counter at my local Ford dealer.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2004 | 11:25 AM
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Buy the assembly and it's cheaper than the sum of the individual parts. That's how I do it. Mine was so far out of wack I drained about 10 gallons out when it read empty.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2004 | 02:40 PM
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Yea it does happen on both tanks, around the same mialge as well. I will do some looking around to try and find one, right now Im kinda broke though so thats holding me back. Thanx for all your help with this.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2004 | 03:52 PM
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'95 F150 Fuel gauge reading wrong

Since both tanks are acting the same way, I'd check the dash gauge itself.
Neither of my two tanks work all the time but they don't register identically on the gauge either.
Each affects the reading differently.
I read about checking the voltage reading from the sending units at the tank before dropping tank and replacing internal units.
I don't remember what the voltage reading are.
Maybe someone else has them available.
FWIW
DaveP Kywoodwrkr
 
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Old Nov 11, 2004 | 12:38 AM
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From: Brandon Mb
Mine does that too, but I take it to be normal. The guage works well, as in it doesn't jump around, I just have a bigger bottom half than top half. I've even got it figured out as to I have to be on the far side of the E tick before I worry about gettin gas. I can get around 350km per tank. Here's a question, for those of you with dual tanks, is your rear tank bigger than the front tank? Mine is, and I thought that was odd.

Trevor
 
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