Still trying to figure out why my gas tanks won't completely fill

[Derwood]

I was on here last year and asked for help. I got great responses, but had no luck with the suggestions. I cannot get my tanks to fill (maybe that's a blessing with the gas prices... ). Anyway, the suggestions were to blow air into the tanks, shake the boat on the trailer, turn the nosel upside down when filling, and I think that was it. I can get 20 gallons in the back tank, and about 17 in the front tank. Both tanks are supposed to be 26 gallons each. Previous owner, and other owners of this same year, same rig, say they get 52 gallons. Any other suggestions from you smart people... Thanks for any help!!

[Lea]

The brochure is a bit puzzling. It says the 180 has 37 gal capacity and the 190 has 48 gal capacity. In the "options" section, it says Fishunter has an avail aux tank of 6 gals??? Also says no underseat storage if you have aux. tank. And in another note, it says aux tank not available on the Fishunters. Bizarre...

I'm going to check other brochures to see if any clearer...

1997 brochure shows total 48 for 190 and 37 for 180. I am guessing both brochures mean capacities with aux tank, not without.

1999 brochure says fuel capacity 26 gals (dual) and aux tank N/A. I give up!!!

Sorry...

[Derwood]

I have the 1998 brochure (2 actually). Both say 48 gallons...and I also see the 180 shows 37 gallons. When I fill the front tank, if I drive down a hill, gas comes right out the cap area! So at least it "seems" to be full. The previous owner swears he put 26 in both tanks several times. I think he said something like he would go 75 miles on one tank and then switch... Hey Lea, I appreciate the help, but don't hurt your head searching!!!

[Derwood]

Sometimes I wonder if the previous owner is just not being truthful with me. He was a pretty big guy, and kept all of the service records. On one receipt, there was a note that he was not getting out of the hole and on plane quick enough. Any chance he swapped out the larger fuel tanks for smaller one's? The tank switch says "Main" and "Aux." I get 20 in the main, and 17 in the Aux.

[Lea]

Can you see the main tank clearly? Many tanks have the capacity printed on them... My 1990 one did. (24 gals).

Also, some of our folks here (not me!) are clever enough to figure capacity from dimensions....

[Derwood]

I have not pulled the floor or anything. I cannot see it by looking in the bilge area. I know the Main tank is in the floor toward the back, and the Aux is in the front just ahead of the dry storeage in the middle.

[ribbit_man]

Cubic inches divided by 231 will give you US gallons in the tank.That is if you can get the measurements.

Example: Your tank has a volume of

19" x 29.25" x 12.25"=6807.938 cubic inches
6807.938/231 = 29.47 U.S. gallons
or
6807.938/277.42 = 24.54 British imperial gallons

[Derwood]

I wouldn't have a clue how to get that information...

[Lea]

Too bad...in my '99, the tank was right there in the rear, and easily visable when you opened the rear hatch. Sure would answer your question if we could see the tank...

[Derwood]

I suppose I could just pull the deck screws and yank those floor panels... ???

[Derwood]

Do we have any ChampioN Dealers on here that would have any insight (without taking a screw gun to the deck, that is)?

[Lea]

I don't know which of our dealers would be familiar with your model, but should be several. Any who have dealt in Champions since the Mtn Home days should know. I wonder if anyone over in the restoration forum would know... I wouldn't be pulling screws without checking.

Contact Robbie Dodd at Champ customer service. He should be able to tell you how to access the tanks, since the current 186 should be similarly set up. He also might have info on the 98 models...or be able to put you in touch with a dealer who is familiar with your exact rig. 615-494-2090

[Lea]

Another suggestion...contact LAChamp here on the boards. He has a Fishunter 194. I do not remember which year, but he might have info for you...

[Derwood]

Left a message, I'll let you know what he says if he calls back...

[Lea]

I have a feeling you have the tanks that the 180 has. As far as I know, there is no reason on earth, if you had larger tanks, that your tanks would not fill completely. Hope the mystery can be solved. I am really curious about this....

[Derwood]

I got a call back (message) from a lady on behalf of Rob Dodd. She said that I do indeed have two 26 gallon tanks in my boat. She did not address the issue of not being able to fill them, so I left a second message and hope to hear something soon. Wow, this is quite a canundrum. I suppose it isn't the biggest of deals, but if I take a ride to Canada or somewhere that I do need my tanks full, it would be nice to be able to do so, you know? I'll post again when/if I hear something. Thanks for the interest and help...

[Rackman]

Are you sure your gauges are working properly?

Have you run them "Bone dry"?

Have you tried very slowly putting gas into them?

I played hell getting my tanks full on my new 200 the first time....Even with the new gas vent they have, there was so much air in the tanks that it kept backing up like it was full.....Finally figured out that I needed to trickle the gas in at certain points of the fill.....


Dan

[Derwood]

On the rear tank I was blasting across the lake and she shut down because the tank was empty. When I got to the gas station, I put exactly 20 gallons in that tank. I ran the front tank down to "E" and put in 17 gallons. So technically, "No" I have not run that tank dry and "No" I'm not positive my gauges are correct. But I'm pretty sure the back one is ... so I'm assuming the front one is.

I did try putting the gas in very slowly with both tanks when i could hear they were almost full. Each time, I would fill a little and then the gas would overflow out. It felt like I was just putting gas on the ground.

If they call back today, I'll also ask them if it's possible the tanks have sucked in. Someone thought they may be the case, but others said those tanks are pretty sturdy and that wouldn't happen.

[Lea]

It would be incredibly coincidental for those 2 tanks to have "sucked in" to the exact size of the ones in the 180 Fishunter...

I have a feeling that, unless you can get at the tanks and check capacity, it's gonna remain a mystery. But I hope not, cause it's driving me nuts....

[Derwood]

Lea,

My instant message doesn't work from this computer. My boat is 19'4" in length. I'm dying to find out too!! I hate when I am not getting the complete benefit of something...like in this situation.