2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 26 gallon tank with strange guage

[MAleksandrowicz]

i am pretty sure i have a 26 gallon tank. the fuel guage when I fill the truck up goes to full but withing 80 miles it is back to a quarter tank. it goes slowly from there and at about 300 miles the fuel light comes on and i drive to about 350 and it takes about 22 gallons and the guage is below empty. is there a way to adjust this or is it a common thing that cant be changed.

 

[EricBu12]

I think you have a 34 gal tank like all the 2nd's...



Heres a link for the specs of your truck



The specs say 132 litres..... 132 Divided by 3. 78 gal per litre = 34. 92 gal.



http://www.internetautoguide.com/car-specifications/09-int/1995/dodge/ram-2500/index.html



It might be you have a faulty float sender and maybe a heavy float... There is a dead spot on the rheostat on the float arm and the resistance at the spot makes it seems like a 1/4 tank... .

 

[crabman]

Z,

You have a 35 gal. fuel tank and the problem is the sending unit in the tank. (common problem) There is some great info here for doing the repair/replacement of the fuel sender/sensor but be prepared to do some reading.

If you do not want to fix it soon, just zero your trip meter ever fillup and go by the miles driven.

Do a search on "Fuel tank sending unit. "

crabman

 

[Mad Bomber]

Fuel sender unit was bad on mine took it apart cleaned it worked and put back together.

 

[MAleksandrowicz]

now i know i have a 26

well i proved my theory of 26 gallons right today. ran out of fuel on the highway at 411 miles on the tank. was able to roll off an exit and just barely make it to a diesel pump where it took 26. 4 gallons to the top.

 

[WyattEarp]

How long have you had this truck is it a recent purchase, mine has the 34 gallon tank due to being quad cab short bed. Long bed has the 35 gallon tank.

Guys could it be that they put the wrong fuel tank on at factory say for a gasser?

 

[Thomas]

well i proved my theory of 26 gallons right today. ran out of fuel on the highway at 411 miles on the tank. was able to roll off an exit and just barely make it to a diesel pump where it took 26. 4 gallons to the top.

It seems to me all you proved is that you can take 26. 4 gallons out of the tank and that it holds at least 26. 4 gallons. I think you'll find that the OEM tanks on second-generation Cummins/Rams are 34 gallons with the short box and 35 gallons with the long box.



You should be able to find molded part numbers on the bottom of the tank similar to the following:



52102072AC (26 Gallon Gas)

52102076AC (35 Gallon Gas)

52102080AC (35 Gallon Diesel)

52102238AF (34 Gallon Diesel)

52102241AC (34 Gallon Gas)



The 35 gallon tank in my long box Cummins/Ram has 52102076AE as well as 52102080AD. I interpret this to mean that my Ram has a 35 gallon tank, and the same tank (with different venting) is fitted to gassers.

 

[MAleksandrowicz]

dont forget that i ran totally out of fuel. my buddy was priming it as i was filling it up and i filled it right up to the top of the filler neck. that is why it took the extra . 4. how could it hold at least 26. 4 if i ran it out dry.

 

[Thomas]

I didn't forget.



A possibility to consider is that if air can get into the fuel supply line above the bottom of the fuel tank it could keep you from emptying the tank. It's just like trying to suck 12 ounces out of the bottle when the straw doesn't go to the bottom of the bottle or if the straw has an air leak above the bottom of the bottle.



A part number from the bottom of the tank should give you a better idea of the tank capacity.