dual tank problem?
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Freshman User
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From: western Mass
dual tank problem?
As you can see by the number of posts I've made, I'm pretty green here. I just picked up a 96 F150 with dual tanks. With the tank selector set on the rear tank, I put about 5 gallons of gas in the front tank and the same amount in the rear tank. The needle moved on the fuel gauge, correctly indicating the amount that was added to the rear tank (since the selector switch was in the rear tank position). Later, with the engine running I switched to the front tank and saw the needle drop to the empty position (even though I recently added fuel).
Am I doing something wrong? Should the engine be off before switching tanks? Could it be a fuse problem? Any other thoughts/suggestions.
Thanks
Am I doing something wrong? Should the engine be off before switching tanks? Could it be a fuse problem? Any other thoughts/suggestions.
Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2005
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No your not doing anything wrong. You should be able to switch "mid flight" like that. I would guess you have a faulty sending unit or maybe a bad float. Did the truck continue to run? If not then the whole pump might be bad. Or the fuel could have leaked out if you have big holes in the tank. THough you likely would have noticed that.
Blindlightguy
Blindlightguy
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Yeah, I just changed my front tank due to a leak this weekend and Iwill tell you it's not fun. My bolts where rusted on and then putting it all back up with the new straps was not fun at all. But if it's the float it should be a cheap fix.
Blindlightguy
Blindlightguy
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From: western Mass
I don't have a leak problem.
How can I determine if it's a bad float or the sending unit? and if the problem is either one of these, do I need to remove the tank to fix it?
thanks
How can I determine if it's a bad float or the sending unit? and if the problem is either one of these, do I need to remove the tank to fix it?
thanks
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Well someone else might have a better suggestion but I would unplug the pump, which is on top of the tank. You should be able to wedge your arm up there to do it with the tank on, if it's like my truck. When you do that, if it is the same as mine, the gauge should jump to full. If that works I would say it's in the tank, which is where the float and sending unit are. I probably would then drop the tank and if the float is full of fuel that's the problem if everything looks good then the sending unit is bad and you could replace that.
If unplugging did nothing then there might be a short in the wiring somewhere else. I would also try and unplug the back tank to make sure it does the same thing so you know how it should act for sure. I don't know when or what, if anythig Ford changed since '87 which is how old my truck is. So I would defintly want to compare to the working back tank if possible.
I hope this helps and if you end up dropping the tank make sure to emty it as much as possible.
Hope this helps.
Blindlightguy
If unplugging did nothing then there might be a short in the wiring somewhere else. I would also try and unplug the back tank to make sure it does the same thing so you know how it should act for sure. I don't know when or what, if anythig Ford changed since '87 which is how old my truck is. So I would defintly want to compare to the working back tank if possible.
I hope this helps and if you end up dropping the tank make sure to emty it as much as possible.
Hope this helps.
Blindlightguy
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From: Remsen, NY
Do yourself a favor and run the truck off the front tank until it stumbles, then switch to the rear tank to get home. Empty tanks are a whole lot easier to get up/down. Careful with the fumes though, no sparks.
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From: western Mass
"Do yourself a favor and run the truck off the front tank until it stumbles, then switch to the rear tank to get home. Empty tanks are a whole lot easier to get up/down. Careful with the fumes though, no sparks."
Thanks for the suggestion...
I was thinking I would syphon out the front tank directly into the rear tank.
Thanks for the suggestion...
I was thinking I would syphon out the front tank directly into the rear tank.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Remsen, NY
!!! It's not THAT hard to take them down, is it?!
Then on second thought I remember on my first truck bolts turning with the nuts and I had to grind them off. Maybe you're right... If the fasteners come loose it is very easy.
Then on second thought I remember on my first truck bolts turning with the nuts and I had to grind them off. Maybe you're right... If the fasteners come loose it is very easy.