fuel gauge

[jaycount]

My fuel gauge is faulty. At empty it reads approx 1/4 and at full it reads approx 3/4 full, does this sound like a problem with the sender or gauge? When off, the gauge does drop all the way to E. Is there a way of testing either the sender or gauge?

On my livewell, it worked great this past weekend! Brought two fish back to the weigh-in safe, sound, and healthy How hard is it to install a pumpout on this boat? Is it feasible to do it with a t-connector and a check valve so that I can use my existing bilge pump thru-hill fitting? I don't see much purpose for a pumpout EXCEPT my livewells are so small it's tough to get a weigh in bag in there to use good water so I had to dip into crummy marina water this past weekend. Also my livewell open/close valve seems to be leaking a little bit, it wasn't enough to cause us any serious problems but with the valve closed the livewell will eventually fill with water. Where can I get replacement valves and where are they at on the boat?

Thanks

[DEdwards]

On empty I think all guages still leave you with about 10 gallons. I have never had an accurate guage till now. I have a smart craft guage and tells me gallons burned so I can keep track that way.

[Lea]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by DEdwards &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">On empty I think all guages still leave you with about 10 gallons. I have never had an accurate guage till now. I have a smart craft guage and tells me gallons burned so I can keep track that way.</td></tr></table>

Yep, mine, too. If they "have" to be off at all, I am glad they read lower than actual contents!

However, the OP says when his tank is empty it reads 1/4??? Yet it reads lower than actual when full. If it read empty when 1/4 full, that would make more sense. Quite possibly, it is his sender... I don't kow how to test...anyone?

Also, can anyone help with his pumpout and livewell questions? Thanks, gang!!!

[jaycount]

I have lurked more and found some info on the pumpout, still unsure if the t-connector/check valve combination is a good idea or not.

And yes my gauge has fooled me before, fortunately I was right behind the marina when my tank went empty the first time. It seems to travel decently, like I said it goes to 3/4 full when the tank is filled to the brim and at 1/2 tank it sits approx at half tank. It's still tough to read though since the gauge travel is so limited.

[Lea]

I did have the same issue with livewell valve letting water in when on the lake...and it leaked out when on the trailer.. Had it replaced. It's down in the bilge .....

TxChamp should be along to help with pumpout...

[Charlie206]

The sending unit is checked by ohms of resistance, however you have to have the known values of that particular sending unit and I don't know where you could get that info. I would suggest measuring the depth of the tank and buying a sending unit for that depth and just replace it. They are not expensive. I'm not familiar with your particular hull, but if you have the fuel tank that butts up against the forward wall of the rear compartment it can be hard to install a pumpout, the tank may have to be removed. Other than that it's not hard to install. I'm not sure I would use a check valve, if it failed or stuck closed you are killing your bilge pump. It's easy to install another thru hull fitting.

[Charlie206]

Sorry, forgot about the livewell valve. That's a very common part you can get anywhere that sells marine stuff. Since it looks like you are going bilge diving anyway, pull it out and clean it. Often they just have livewell crud in them. But they are cheap if you need to replace it.

[jaycount]

Cool I appreciate the info

[HaulinBass]

http://www.flow-rite.com/marine