Tank level vs. guage level

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I have now put two tanks in my cummins and I am a little concerned. The guage was down to 1/8 of a tank and the low fuel light came on too. When I went to fill it only took 26 gallons. Now I know that DC is looking out for our best interest HAHAHA but a nine gallon reserve is a bit too much. Does anyone else have this problem? I read previously that a range of 450 miles is a good fill point. And I don't have the red plug. Thanks Matt

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01. 5 ETH/DEE QC, 2500 4X4, 3. 54 Everything but leather

 

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Yep, same here.

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2001. 5 2500 QC, ETH/DEE, 4x4, 3. 54 LSD, BFG 295's, Stan's Headers 4" exhaust
Ram Pics

 

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There have been a LOT of posts about this fuel gage and sending unit business! It's been going on from at least the '94 model year. I've replaced the sending unit in my '95. It's better than it was, but it still is a PITA. The first quarter of a tank according to the gage really has a lot of miles in it. When the needle gets to the last quarter it falls like a shot bird. Just have to live with it I guess.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

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I also have same condition. Mine will take 27 gallons most the time. It depends what driving condition I have done that week. #ad



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01'2500 Q\C LWB white,HO-6-spd. ,3. 54,4-disk brakes,trailer tow, camper special,custom bolt-in G/N, See'ya down the road Michael

 

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Same problem here. I took my first tank down to about 1/8 left, and the light came on. I didn't go to topping off, but I put about 22 gal. in, and the gauge went to full. So far, haven't put in more than 25.

Remember the Seinfeld where Kramer and the salesman wanted to see how far below "E" they could go?

Dave

 

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Just "Confirming" your information. Low fuel light comes on gauge near empty, mine takes 26 gallons.

 

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Originally posted by The Big E:
Same problem here. I took my first tank down to about 1/8 left, and the light came on. I didn't go to topping off, but I put about 22 gal. in, and the gauge went to full. So far, haven't put in more than 25.
Dave

Same story on my '97.

What do you do if you run out of fuel? (After adding more. )

Tackett

 

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Originally posted by Tackett:
What do you do if you run out of fuel? (After adding more. )

<font color=blue>On the 12v engine prime the system (the manual primer should be below the fuel filter),loosen the fuel lines at the injector and crank the engine until fuel seeps out. Tighten the fuel lines on the injector, and the truck should start.

 

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What am i missing here?!?!

I mean the fuel warning light is se real conservative. So what. I have bben below empty and it too 31 gallons I mean that sounds reasonable just watch the needle; Its you call

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2001 ETH/DEE ST 4X4 SPACE SHUTTLE

 

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It can be extremely agravating at times. When my truck was new the light came on and I was 50 miles from the nearest place to get fuel and hauling a 10' camper. Uphill mostly to Page, AZ. Really sweated expecting it to quit before getting there. Made it and filled up. 27 gallons!!!! The gage showed empty for quite some time before getting there. The newer sending unit is not so bad but the gage is threatening me with walking for some time at times and I still have some fuel left. It would be nice if it was a real threat instead of just a worry. I'll probably run out of fuel sometime thinking it's just kidding.

 

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Sounds like the Dodge boy's are using the same fule gauge sending unit for both size tanks without making any adjustments for the difference in size of the LB / SB tanks. Gee, do you think it is possibly to save money??? What a surprise...

 

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If you look at the manual, it tells you that the fuel waring light comes on when you have 1/8 tank of gas. So it is normal for it to come on that soon.

(This is in my 99 manual)

 

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My Low Fuel Light comes on arround 420 miles and ussualy means there is 9 gallons left. The gauge shows about 1/8 tank... BUT NINE GALLONS IS NOT AN EIGHTH! More Like a forth.

Gauge is about as accurate as the game boy post bombing.

Max

 

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Same here, I also have the "trip computer" when the idiot light comes on I have check, it says 100 miles or so until empty. I'll bet thats conservative also. Biggest problem is running out of fuel, the injector pump could be seriously damaged from running without fuel to lube it. I have just accepted that when the fuel light comes on I have plenty of opportunity to price shop for fuel.

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1999 3500 quad cab, auto aero fendor trim and running boards,
bugflector II, K&N filter, Geno's monster tip

 

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Mine takes 24 gallons after the light comes on.

Running out of diesel is nothing like running out of gasoline! After reading the service manual description for recovering from running one dry, I'll take the overcautious approach every time.

Once you've determined how much fuel is left from your first experience with the light coming on, you have the information you need to make an intelligent decision on how far to proceed before adding fuel with subsequent warnings.



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'01 3500 QC SLT, 5-spd. , 3. 54 LSD, Tow Pkg, Camper Pkg, White w/ Camel. (St. Louis) - Jacobs E-brake, GaugeWorks dual gauge pod, ISSPRO EGT & Boost Gauges.

 

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Originally posted by lembaar:
Mine takes 24 gallons after the light comes on.

Once you've determined how much fuel is left from your first experience with the light coming on, you have the information you need to make an intelligent decision on how far to proceed before adding fuel with subsequent warnings.

That's the headache - if the light comes on and you can only put 20 gallons in, what's the point of having a light and a guage?

Mine comes on and really, all I can add is 20 gallons. That's just past half a tank.

I guess I'll break the bulb for the idiot light. #ad


Tackett


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'97 2500 4x4, auto, stock at this point, but adding goodies as fast as I can.

 

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The problem is that the float arm is not bent down enough to reach almost to the bottom of the tank. You can take the float out and bend the arm so that it will go down lower in the tank as fuel is used. It will still read full when the tank is full. The only trouble is getting the float out of the tank.
Sam B

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97, Lamanie SLT, clubcab, driftwood, 3. 5 spicer 70 rear axle
96 Coachmen Royal 285rk 5th wheel, 11,000 #

 

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I like the early warning. Light comes on I start looking for discounted fuel... . When the Gauge says empty I stop at the next station that has diesel... I pulled into 4 gas stations once before I found Cummins Juice...
Running most diesels out of fuel is not just a inconvence it can burn out your Pumps. . VERY EXPENSIVE + TOWING

Most are hard to restart... Often working your starter to hard. And don't forget the #ad
if a psd stops to help!!!

Most of the Dodge with Cummins are used for towing. . and if pulling a Heavy trailer and the gauge is low It is a comfort knowing there is a Cushion of fuel left in your tank. .

As for restarting the Properly (24V) valved trucks. . turn on the key and just bump the starter once then wait. The Lift pump will run for 10 or 15 seconds... I would do this several times before restarting... . Then when it does start it will sound bad. . missing and smoking. . but will clear up after a few seconds. . #ad


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"Have you driven OVER a phord lately"
2001 2500 BRT WHT SPORT QUADCAB 4X4 ETH 3. 54LSD TRLR CMPR PKG ALL OPT XCPT LTHR

 

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Same here on both my 2000 Cummins and on my '96 5. 9 liter gas engine. Intersting you posted this question about fuel gauge accuracy. I was just thinking today with all the technolgy we have in our Rams, they can't design a decent fuel gauge.

Even with the 9 gallons or so "reserve", I still never go below 1/8 tank.

Cheers!

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover

 

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Has anyone run out of fuel and then filled the tank up to see how much fuel sits in the bottom of the tank but the pickup won't suck it out? I would guess it would be close to five gallons, therefore about 4 gallons left after the light comes on, or about 80 miles. BTW when my gauge says empty and the light comes on, I too put about 26 gallons in.