Has anyone had to change the fuel tank sending unit due to false readings. Dose anyone know how much it cost. I have a 2004 F-250 6.0L and a few times the truck will spudder when turning, taking off (exp. up hill) or restarting after shut down and the guage reads 1/4 tank or better. My brother in-law ran it out of fuel once and said it read 1/4 tank. I added 5 gallons of diesel and it fired right up. I feel that the sending unit is off. i watch my milage and fill when near 1/4 tank but want it to be right, I plan on removing the bed to install rear air bags and the mod to cut the vent line for faster fill, thinking i should replace unit as well, unless anyone knows of another problem it could be?

 

Fuel Level Less Than Indicated by Fuel Gauge:
Some F-Series and Excursions built between 12-1-02 and 4-14-03 may exhibit an inaccurate fuel level reading after refueling. In most cases this is caused by refueling with the ignition in the on or accessory position. The fuel gauge should eventually reinitialize on its own, but it can also be reinitialized by disconnecting the batteries. If the gauge does not reinitialize, then the fuel level system should be diagnosed.
Broadcast Message 0926

 

I had mine replaced with the updated version. The original sending unit would lodge into the top side of tank and read full all the time.

 

I have the same problem with my 2005 6.0. It has done it since 36,000 miles and has left me stranded without fuel around seven times including today. It will read between a 1/8 and 3/8 of a tank but will be empty, and the low fuel light has never came on. I can dump 3-5 gallons in and it will start back up. Did you ever solve your problem. Sucks the only place to get a sending unit is the dealer, I only see two straps holding the tank up, why do some guys say it's easier to lift the bed off?

 

If the tank is full...your talking about 150 pounds (give or take a few pounds) for fuel and tank...assuming you've got a 29 gallon tank. Yeah the bed weighs more, but you would have to worry about spilling any fuel either. All depends on which way you want to skin the cat.

 

Wasnt there a buletin where you used some type of injector ccleaner or somethig to clean the sending unit. Just curious thought I read that somewhere.

Sarge

 

Here's how I got to my tank to pull the sending unit out and do the Harpoon mod!!!

 

Greg, is there wires or anything to unhook or remove. I like your Idea. thanks for the info.

 

Just 3 small screws holding the filler neck to the side of the bed and the bed bolts in the floor (leave the rear 2 bolts in part way to keep the bed from shifting).

I used a floor jack and a 2x4 to jack up the bed.

 

I had a number of fuel gauge issues, under warranty they ended up replacing the whole instrument cluster. But we did try Techron fuel additive, the Ford diesel tech here says it has helped on some issues of false tank levels due to sensor contamination. Worth a try, but it sounds like you will be in there anyway.

 

Thanks, Greg I will be doing this when the weather warms up, just for the harpoon mod.