So get this, I take my "new-to-me" Ex to the dealer to get some things looked at and services. Usual oil change, brakes, message center, etc.
While there, they notice that my fuel gauge doesn't read right. i haven't had the ruck long enough to notice myself. I go to the gas station and fill 'er up and sure enough, it doesnt read right.
When i turn the ignition on without starting the truck, the fuel gauge marks correctly, when i turn the truck on, it goes to full and stays there...

So back to the dealer i go to drop her off for a diagnosis.
$105 later, they tell me its the fuel sending unit and it requires the gas tank be removed for the repair. They quote me $871. I laugh and told them that they may not take my marriage seriously but i do and I want to keep it that way.

The service adviser says he will call me back in 10 minutes. He calls back and says he can get it done for $450. Dang that's a hell of a price drop. i still said no. For some reason i think it may be a loose cable or something to that effect and not the unit needing replacing...

Thoughts?

Symptom is the fuel gauge showing full right now and the next time i start the car it shows half and then i turn off and back on and again its full and the next time its 1/4 of a tank, etc.

 

If I were you I would keep at least 1/2 tank of gas in it for a month or so, that way the gas will slosh around and rinse every thing in the tank. If you are like me you only add fuel when the tank starts getting below 1/4.
My gauge seemed to act a little strange when the fuel got low. So I did what is stated above and it cleared right up.

 

I will try that. Should i throw some Seafoam in there?

 

I don't see how it would hurt anything by adding seafoam.
I did use some cut rate fuel injection cleaner in mine every once in a while. I do this mainly to get the condensaion out of the tank which can also add to the problem of the float sticking.

 

If you need to, the tank isn't all that hard to drop. I have a diesel so it may be different. I let the tank run nearly dry the pumped out the rest with the fuel pump. Unhook the fill hose and fuel line & connections on top of the tank, unbolt the mounting straps and lower with a floor jack. I did it myself although a helper might be nice to help drop it. Good luck.
Steve

 

Unfortunately, my HOA frowns (and fines) on thse who do mechanic work on their properties.

 

What a nation of pansies and pantywaists we've become!

YouTube - Dodge Challenger Freedom Commercial

 

whats your take on this:

When i turn the ignition on without starting the truck, the fuel gauge marks correctly, when i turn the truck on, it goes to full and stays there...

 

Do you have a garage? They can't fine you if they don't see you doing it.

 

my garage is a storage facility and my Ex will not fit in it

 

Most likely it is the sending unit. It's only 4 bolts holding the tank, how about a big tarp . Just a note, you can mess up the sending unit if you refuel with the key in the on position.

 

I wasnt aware of this. i do this sometimes on my Honda to see when I am getting close to full...

 

That $450 quote from the dealer is a good price to replace it.

 

Pepboys quoted me 220 for labor and I bring the part. PartsguyEd has it for $123.

 

Ford had a SSM regarding this and inaccurate guages when I was in a dealership back in 04. Dont remember the specifics but it stuck in my head, I think it was SSM #18217. Just something that was common back then, along with people setting codes by forgetting to install the gas cap. If you ever change a fuel pump in an Excursion, you'll see that the filler outlet is right above the float so when your filling your tank, the fuel lands right on the float. That probably doesnt help things. Another thing that damages sending units is fuel with high sulphur content. From another site,

"Here is an explaination I got from a friend of mine who is a chemical engineer. Sulfur in fuels, gasoline and diesel, can chemically 'corrode' or attach to the metals found on fuel sending units. This sulfur is naturally found in crude oil and the more sulfur in the crude the more found in the refined, generally speaking. Crude oil from the middle east ("sweet light crude") naturally has a much lower sulfur content, and the crude found in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and Canada has a higher amount. When Katrina, Rita and Wilma hit and the EPA lightened regulation on sulfur in fuels especially in certain parts of North America, lots of customers started noticing concerns with fuel level indicators. Some noticed problems before the hurricanes, probably due to where the crude came from that was refined into fuel. For a fix, although temporary, Chevron "Techron" fuel additive seems to help. Our parts dept stocks it now. Replacing the sending unit temporarily resolves the symptom of the problem, but not the cause. Try the Techron, after 3 to 5 tankfuls it will probably help quite a bit, it does for lots of our customers."