Fuel Level Sender Needed ?

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rick3rd

rick3rd

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I have a 1995 Montery 196 Bowrider. Purchased it about a year ago. This boat has been wonderful.

I have always questioned how large the fuel tank is. I pulled the tank access panel from the floor to learn that the boat has a 29 gallon tank.

While on the lake I always watch the fuel gauge closely. I get real nervous when the the gauge gets below 1/4 a tank and head to the marina to fill it up. At 1/4 a tank the boat will only take about 14 gallons - so there should be about 15 gallons to go! We trailer the boat - so when the boat is on the trailer and the gauge show 1/8 a tank - I pull her into the gas station and she will take about 16-17 gallons - level surface.

My question is - will a new sending sensor in the tank give a more accurate picture of the fuel level on-board? Or is this a usual problem with boats and I need to just get use to it?

Thanks
 
P

PuddleJumper

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Re: Fuel Level Sender Needed ?

You might try to calibrate the sender u have by bending the float arm.
 
rick3rd

rick3rd

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Re: Fuel Level Sender Needed ?

I was also wondering if there is a possibility it could be the gauge - I think it would be a slim chance but easier than dealing with the sender.
 
jayhanig

jayhanig

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Re: Fuel Level Sender Needed ?

PuddleJumper said:
You might try to calibrate the sender u have by bending the float arm.
Click to expand...


There ought to be limiting wings that the float arm fits through that determine empty and full limits. I'd start there with setting it to read empty with just a little bit of fuel in the tank and full at actual full. That will leave you a slight reserve which is generally a good thing to have. Then it's a simple matter of placing the float arm at wherever the gauge reads half full (at the point where it fits through the limiters) and then bend the outer part of the arm (the float end) to match it inside the tank.

I may not have explained that very well but he should be able to figure it out when he actually has the sending unit in his hand.
 
rick3rd

rick3rd

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Re: Fuel Level Sender Needed ?

Makes good sense. I will give it a shot on the next rainy weekend and post results when complete.

There is no substitute for knowledge and experience. I appreciate you all sharing. It is not always about replacing parts to correct a problem but working with, cleaning and adjusting they parts you have. I have had a couple of projects where one thing leads to the next and before you know it, what should been a $50 project turns into a a $250 project just because of a lack on knowledge of what I was working on/with - just replacing parts until the problem is fixed.

Thanks again
 
dan68

dan68

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Re: Fuel Level Sender Needed ?

I have a 1987 Bayliner open bow, been fighting a problem with a miss in the engine, but I seem to think it could be bad fuel lines, Now I need to find the tank under the floor. ??
 
H

Home Cookin'

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Re: Fuel Level Sender Needed ?

floating senders are notoriously inaccurate. You have to know your own boat's calibration. And most register differently on a trailer than in the water.

Just remember: the E does not stand for "enough."
 
Bondo

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Re: Fuel Level Sender Needed ?

dan68 said:
I have a 1987 Bayliner open bow, been fighting a problem with a miss in the engine, but I seem to think it could be bad fuel lines, Now I need to find the tank under the floor. ??
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,...

Please start a thread of yer own about yer problems...

hy-jackin' an old 1 ain't gettin' ya nowhere...
 
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