Notices
2004 - 2008 F150 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Ford F150's with 5.4 V8, 4.6 V8 engine
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Funky Gas Gauge?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 3, 2007 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
Frd67cobra's Avatar
Frd67cobra
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Funky Gas Gauge?

Minor aggravation ... Drive the truck to work, notice the gas gauge before shutting off the motor. Fire it up after work, gas gauge reads about 1/8 of a tank less. Anybody else got a gauge acting like that, or should I be looking for some kid with a siphon hose needing to fill up his pocket rocket?
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2007 | 08:14 PM
  #2  
llcool's Avatar
llcool
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Were you parked on a hill?
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2007 | 08:20 PM
  #3  
Frd67cobra's Avatar
Frd67cobra
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by llcool
Were you parked on a hill?
Nope, level parking lot.
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 09:32 AM
  #4  
mrpositraction's Avatar
mrpositraction
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, MO
I have had this problem before. I came back from a long trip, put $20 in to get through the next couple days, truck was on 1/2 a tank. Get in my truck the next morning and it reads 1/8 of a tank, I assumed someone must have siphoned some gas out or something becuase I couldn't explain otherwise why my gas tank was lower than when I last got out. I drive back and forth to work and then out to dinner. On the way to dinner I stop and fill the truck up and is stops at 18 gallons, it wasn't even close to being empty.

For some reason the gas gauge was reading 1/8 tank lower like you mentioned. It was cold here that night so I put some IsoHeat in the tank when I filled it up and has never done since then. I am assuming I had some water in the tank from being up north and traveling and the float was stuck, that is the only way I can explain mechanically that happened.
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 02:03 PM
  #5  
gpeade's Avatar
gpeade
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: P.G. VA
I think it is just something in the way the stupid thing registers. If you haven't noticed if you fill up with the engine running (or key on) it wil take about 10 min or so for the guage to actually read full. If you turn the key off and back on it jumps right to where it should be. go figure !
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 06:28 PM
  #6  
Frd67cobra's Avatar
Frd67cobra
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by gpeade
I think it is just something in the way the stupid thing registers. If you haven't noticed if you fill up with the engine running (or key on) it wil take about 10 min or so for the guage to actually read full. If you turn the key off and back on it jumps right to where it should be. go figure !
Yeah, another quirky thing it does is trigger the "Low Fuel" light when the needle is barely kissing the E mark. I usually don't let it get below 1/4 tank but on the rare occassion you push it to the next exit. Hell, the old lady (like most women) runs her Mountaineer on empty all the time, and her light won't come on till the thing is on fumes! Guess Ford went to the bargain bin for the gauges in our trucks.
 
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 08:38 AM
  #7  
Mr86GT's Avatar
Mr86GT
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Frd67cobra
Minor aggravation ... Drive the truck to work, notice the gas gauge before shutting off the motor. Fire it up after work, gas gauge reads about 1/8 of a tank less. Anybody else got a gauge acting like that, or should I be looking for some kid with a siphon hose needing to fill up his pocket rocket?
I had this happen to me. I had 1/2 tank, filled it, and when I started my truck back up, it still only registered 1/2 tank. This is somewhat of a "known" issue with our trucks. I asked my service manager and some techs here, and heres what you wanna do: Buy 2 bottles of Chevron fuel injector cleaner, and dump them in. It should correct the problem. (We even carry it in stock here at the dealership.) The contacts on the fuel sending units get "dirty", and the cleaner will dissolve it, and allow it to work again. It worked for me....I'd give it a shot. $20 is alot better than the $500+ to drop the tank and replace the sending unit/pump assembly, right??

Mr86GT
 
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 05:55 PM
  #8  
Frd67cobra's Avatar
Frd67cobra
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Mr86GT
I had this happen to me. I had 1/2 tank, filled it, and when I started my truck back up, it still only registered 1/2 tank. This is somewhat of a "known" issue with our trucks. I asked my service manager and some techs here, and heres what you wanna do: Buy 2 bottles of Chevron fuel injector cleaner, and dump them in. It should correct the problem. (We even carry it in stock here at the dealership.) The contacts on the fuel sending units get "dirty", and the cleaner will dissolve it, and allow it to work again. It worked for me....I'd give it a shot. $20 is alot better than the $500+ to drop the tank and replace the sending unit/pump assembly, right??

Mr86GT
Thanks for the tip, Mr86GT, but this is more of a problem of the gauge needle returning to the same spot after shutting down and firing back up after it sits for a while and cools down. It shows almost an 1/8 of a tank less. When refueling the needle moves correctly. Truck only has 12k on it and I run Amoco gas exclusively so the sending units shouldn't be dirty enough to require a cleaning this soon.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 06:04 PM
  #9  
FordSavage250's Avatar
FordSavage250
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I have the same problem, it irritates me, it makes me think the truck is burning more fuel that I should be using.
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2007 | 08:07 AM
  #10  
Mr86GT's Avatar
Mr86GT
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by Frd67cobra
Thanks for the tip, Mr86GT, but this is more of a problem of the gauge needle returning to the same spot after shutting down and firing back up after it sits for a while and cools down. It shows almost an 1/8 of a tank less. When refueling the needle moves correctly. Truck only has 12k on it and I run Amoco gas exclusively so the sending units shouldn't be dirty enough to require a cleaning this soon.
It doesn't matter FRD. No matter what kind, or quality fuel you use, apparently this can still occur due to the additives all the oil companies use. I would try the 2 bottles of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner, and just see if it doesn't correct the problem. If it doesn't, at least you tried, and you'd only be out about $20. Like I said, I didnt believe my service writer and techs either when they told me this, but I figured "what the hell"...and did it....and it 100% fixed my problem with the guage. Up to you...but I just thought I'd share my experience with ya'll.

Mr86GT
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2007 | 08:51 AM
  #11  
Rubidon's Avatar
Rubidon
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Howard City, Mi
I have the same problem with my diesel F-250. Can I put the injector cleaner in a diesel?
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2007 | 10:54 AM
  #12  
Mr86GT's Avatar
Mr86GT
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Rubidon
I have the same problem with my diesel F-250. Can I put the injector cleaner in a diesel?
I'm not sure if the Chevron Techron additive is compatible with diesel or not...you'd hafta read the label. If not, then you might need to get a diesel additive with like an injector cleaner in it. I havnt heard of this problem in the diesels...but...it may work in the same way..I really don't know.

Mr86GT
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2007 | 07:27 PM
  #13  
Frd67cobra's Avatar
Frd67cobra
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Mr86GT
It doesn't matter FRD. No matter what kind, or quality fuel you use, apparently this can still occur due to the additives all the oil companies use. I would try the 2 bottles of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner, and just see if it doesn't correct the problem. If it doesn't, at least you tried, and you'd only be out about $20. Like I said, I didnt believe my service writer and techs either when they told me this, but I figured "what the hell"...and did it....and it 100% fixed my problem with the guage. Up to you...but I just thought I'd share my experience with ya'll.

Mr86GT
Maybe I'll give your idea a shot . Would that be 2 bottles to just one tank of fuel? Most cleaners instruct you to use 1 bottle per tank. Thanks again.
 
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2008 | 01:30 AM
  #14  
jnye6625's Avatar
jnye6625
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Marquette, MI
I always fill up my gas tank at the same holiday station, and the last time i did i got back in my truck after puting 72 dollars in the tank to find that it stil read empty. I noticed that it took about 25 minutes of driving to get the gauge to slowly creep back up to full. This is unusual as it always used to go up to full immediately after turning the truck back on. I called the dealer to see what was going on, and they told me that its a known issue with something corroding in the tank and that i should be getting gas at a chevron station. Anyone hear about this?
 
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2008 | 02:52 AM
  #15  
bansheeduner's Avatar
bansheeduner
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
my truck did the same thing until i only filled up at cheveron and shell gas stations trucks favorite i guess but these trucks also have an anti siphon device on the filler neck so it cant be siphoned
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE