2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel Gauge accuracy

[BroncoMarc]

How accurate should the fuel gauge be? I think I've read here before that people have run dry at 1/8 tank before, but mine seems to be the opposite.



I was trying to make it back to a Flying J last weekend to fill up and my gauge was dropping quick. It was on the red line by the time I got there. It only took 26 gallons. This is a 34 gallon tank, right? I even topped it off so all the foam was gone and I could see the fuel. Hard to believe I was on empty and still had 8 gallons.

 

[Tulsa618]

'Sounds about right to me. I can usually run around two days after the low fuel light comes on and still get only 28-29 gallons in. Who needs an accurate fuel gauge anyway... ?

 

[illflem]

Dodge, in their infinite wisdom, designed the gauge so us dummies don't run out of fuel. Good idea since it can be quite an ordeal bleeding a diesel.

 

[Red Rocket]

Could it be that we all see that average 6-8 extra gallons because it is used as cooling means for the injection pump?

Just a thought, but I read a post once about how hot the fuel gets.

Nick

 

[roadbyte]

Fuel gage

My gage was reading 1/8 of tank and it took 25 Gallons to fill up this morning. Hmm the last 1/8 tank can really hold some fuel.



I have new sending unit coming in. Dodge has design flaw in the sending units.

 

[Mingoglia]

Knowing that my gauge is the same as most everyone else's, I ran my needle to the point where it just passed the red zone (at least the leading edge of the needle did) and it still only took 30. 7 gallons filling it almost completely up to the neck. I have a 3500 so I have a 38 gallon tank (or is it 36?, don't remember).

 

[WestTN]

fuel gauge

I think it is normal for a gauge to work like this. The factories fear customer outrage if they run out of fuel when the needle still indicates a quart or two left in the tank. And it sure better not run out while indicating there is fuel in the tank! In the case of our trucks, I think it is a good idea to fill up when we hit 1/8 of a tank. I don't think letting the lift pump overrev from sucking air when the fuel sloshes away from the pickup is a good idea. We all know about the failures here. If I'm travelling with my trailer, I still can drive nearly 400 miles between fillups. It's time for a pit stop before then anyway!

 

[Mingoglia]

Another reason (atleast for me) to fill up is because when the fuel light and ding happens at 1/8 a tank my wife starts freeeeaking out thinking we're going to have to push.



For anyone familiary with I-17 southband going towards Phoenix, you should of seen the look in her eyes when in complete silence the fuel dinger dinged outside of Black Canyon City. For everyone that knows the stretch of highways outside of Phoenix knows that there's very few filling stations around... . let alone filling stations that have diesel... . let alone filling stations with FRESH diesel.



... to make a long story short, she gave me the "you should of filled up in Flagstaff you a$$" look. She doesn't realize I can go another 150 miles if I had to once the light comes on... especially since we were empty.



Talking about empty. Am I the only one that gets the same fuel economy empty as I do when pulling a trailer? Should this be a hint that I drive too fast when empty?

 

[emjay]

The 3500 diesels have a 35 gallon tank (unless that has changed recently). Mine dings at 1/8 tank, and it takes 25-26 gal to top it off from there. I run mine until the needle hits E, then it takes about 29-30 to top off from there. That is also the point at which the overhead trip computer reads DTE 0 miles.



It would be interesting to get a second sender for the trans temp gauge and install it in the return line with a switch on the dash to see what effect low fuel levels have on fuel temperature. Hmmm... sounds like a project...

 

[Mingoglia]

You're right. I think the Ford duallies have 38.

 

[Piston Slapper]

Originally posted by Mingoglia



Talking about empty. Am I the only one that gets the same fuel economy empty as I do when pulling a trailer? Should this be a hint that I drive too fast when empty?

I thought I was the only one with this problem. These thangs are too fun to drive. I try to see how fast I can go and still here the turbo whistle!

 

[WadePatton]

Re: Fuel gage

Originally posted by roadbyte

My gage was reading 1/8 of tank and it took 25 Gallons to fill up this morning. Hmm the last 1/8 tank can really hold some fuel.

I put 20 gallons in today at just a fuzz under half-tank. So that means there's only 5 gallons between 1/8 and 1/2 tank.



GEEZ, I thought the gauge moved faster there.



I just look at my trip odometer to "know" how many gallons I've used. Miles/20 = gallons used

 

[Deezul1]

Mine still has about 8 gal when on empty also. Looks like they made them that way

 

[ChillyDog]

Fuel gauge? What's that? Mine has been on empty for the last 50,000 miles I just run 500-600 miles and then fill up, maybe 300-350 if towing just to be safe.

 

[Got Smoke?]

I do have over sized tires, but let me share my little expedition.



I waited till the last minute to go get fuel, and the little light was coming on whenever I accelerated from a stop until it smoothed out.



Well by the time I picked up my girl friend and made it to the Flying J (20 miles away) the needle was just barely on the red.



But after filling up, all the way till I could see fuel I was :--) to find out that I had put in 34 gallons!!

 

[T-Bone]

Thought I read it here but not sure. Someone explained that due to the shape of the tank (long and narrow) with the pickup being in the middle of the tank, a long up hill run with all the fuel at the rear of the tank could cause an out of fuel situation. It may take less than 8 gallons to prevent this, but as mentioned, if one guy were to run out of fuel when the gauge above E...

T-Bone

 

[redram]

It's a 35 gallon tank and when my guage was still functional (80K miles ago and 3 1/2 years!) my low fuel light would come on with an average 5-7 gallons left in the tank. It never did ding (well okay, I removed the damn buzzer so that it stopped that annoying chiming when the door was open at the race track!)



Sounds about normal for these trucks. Temperature will cuase the diesel to expand and how accurate was the fuel pump flow meter. Some of these can be off a considerable percent and it wouldn't take alot... . even 2% would be 0. 7 gallons on the fuel pump at a 35 gallon fill.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by slo-ryde





Anyway, I was down to either 1. 22 or 2. 22 gallons of gas. :-laf

:-laf

 

[Tractorat]

fuel guage

I had the same problem in my 02. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the sending unit. Works great now

 

[lschultz]

Do these these engines run on gas too?