Fuel gauge problems

[TMacIsaac]

I just purchased my second 1993 2500 diesel, this one has 128,000 miles and is in good condition but the fuel gauge is off and I'm wondering if maybe the float is sticky due to the inactivity of the truck. The owner stated that the truck sat for three years and he only drove it once or twice a year. I drove the truck 1000 miles home and it ran great. The fuel gauge seemed to have more life as the trip went on but never fully worked. My fuel mileage was poor for the first 150 miles 16. 2/gal but after that the mileage increased to 19. 6/gal. Let me know what you think, I was also wondering if I would need to take off the bed to access the tank or is it easier to drop the tank?

 

[Makaio]

I don't know if your fuel gauge is going South but, dropping the tank is no big deal. In fact, it's easier than removing the bed. Be sure to run your fuel level down to a quarter tank or less; makes it lighter. Check to see if your straps are in good shape. If they're badly rusted, it's hard to find new ones. Probably better off fabricating some. Once the tank is lowered, you can reach the float assembly from the top. A new one ran a little under $60 back in 2004. I don't know what they are now.

 

[Skydiver]

I found it easy to just raise the left side of the bed a few feet. Remove the bolts on the left side and just loosen the right side bolts about 1/2 inch. Remember to disconnect the tail light wires. I repaired my guage 7 years ago and it still works. No money spent. It is a good idea to lower the fuel level either way. Check all fuel lines for chaffing while you're at them. I had one of the hard plastic lines that rubbed through on the return side. Had to raise the bed again.

 

[TMacIsaac]

Thanks for the responses, I'll try and fix it because I see the gauge gradually coming back to life the more I drive it.