Re: Gas gauge readings inaccurate
cyclops, where do you think the pick-up is? At the top of the tank? No, of course not. It is ideally at the lowest point in the tank, right where all the "sediment" settles. Unless the pick-up is not installed properly, is broken or otherwise compromised, this is the way it is in the vast majority of fuel tanks.
Granted, a vehicle tank sees a much higher turn-frequency (that is, it is emptied/refilled more often) than most boats, there are still many that sit for weeks. I've heard the adage about the "bottom of the tank" for years. But in many years of automotive work I've yet to see a fuel tank with significant sediment in it. In fact, during the early 90's Ford recalled Taurus vehicles for fuel tank defects. They swelled with heat and then the gauges read wrong. I replaced literally hundreds of tanks and I can honestly say that I found none with the feared "sediment". Unless you drive around without your gas cap off I don't know how it would all get it there. (Water is the exception) I can say with 100% certainty that when vandalism happens and somebody dumps stuff in the tank, it doesn't matter how much gas you have in it. It will clog the pick up very quickly. I've seen sand, dirt, and yes, sugar. The pick-up gets it right away.
Now that being said, I'm not saying it cannot happen. However, I am saying that running tank near to or all the way empty won't cause you issues in the vast majority of cases. Just my $.02.
cyclops, where do you think the pick-up is? At the top of the tank? No, of course not. It is ideally at the lowest point in the tank, right where all the "sediment" settles. Unless the pick-up is not installed properly, is broken or otherwise compromised, this is the way it is in the vast majority of fuel tanks.
Granted, a vehicle tank sees a much higher turn-frequency (that is, it is emptied/refilled more often) than most boats, there are still many that sit for weeks. I've heard the adage about the "bottom of the tank" for years. But in many years of automotive work I've yet to see a fuel tank with significant sediment in it. In fact, during the early 90's Ford recalled Taurus vehicles for fuel tank defects. They swelled with heat and then the gauges read wrong. I replaced literally hundreds of tanks and I can honestly say that I found none with the feared "sediment". Unless you drive around without your gas cap off I don't know how it would all get it there. (Water is the exception) I can say with 100% certainty that when vandalism happens and somebody dumps stuff in the tank, it doesn't matter how much gas you have in it. It will clog the pick up very quickly. I've seen sand, dirt, and yes, sugar. The pick-up gets it right away.
Now that being said, I'm not saying it cannot happen. However, I am saying that running tank near to or all the way empty won't cause you issues in the vast majority of cases. Just my $.02.
