Faulty Fuel Sending Unit

[mountainaire]

Issue: After starting the coach the fuel gauge sweeps from empty to full to 1/4 to 1/2 etc. The issue is constant and continuous.

Cause: Intermittent short between the sending unit and the fuel gauge wire. The intermittent short was caused by diesel fuel wicking down the wire from the fuel tank and collecting in the plug connecting the sending unit to the fuel gauge wire.

This issue first occured in July 2009 in which I replaced the sending unit and is now happening again. I called Spartan to get another sending unit and also told them that I shouldn't have to pay for another sending unit that obviously they have a generic problem with the sending units. Their response was, the parts are only warenteed for 90 days then aske me how I would like to pay for the new sending unit. If this was the first time that this issue had occured I would accept it and go on but since this is the third sending unit for this coach and according to the previous post there have been several others that have had this problem as well. The problem is generic and should be resolved by Spartan at no cost to me or any other coach owner. Diesel fuel and electricity = fire. If a fire should occur then I would be sure that since there is a history of this issue Spartan would be held responsible by the courts and the insurance companies. They don't seem to have a problem taking your money, hey just seem to have a problem standing by the product they supply.

[MBnKen]

Mountainaire (is that you John?)
I am on the second sending unit for our 2005 EXDP. The first one was replaced under warranty before we bought the RV. The dealer must have seen the problem and replaced it based on the paperwork we found.

Ours is working now but we do get the gauge sweeping from full to half and back again to full but only after we have filled the tank from less than half full. It seems to do that for several hours then settles down and stops. I was guessing foam in the tank but now I am not so sure.

What is the cost of the sending unit? Can you replace it yourself? And please share some basic steps to do so if you have done it or will replace the next one yourself.

Thanks
Ken

[Iron Man]

We are having a similiar problem. After filling up it will show 3/4 full and then take 15 minutes to register full. After that it will also jump back and forth from 3/4 to full. After we burn fuel past 3/4 tank it will work fine. This has been happening for the last 6 months.

[Skipper 05MA]

We had same problem on 05 Mtn Aire. Spartan replaced our and said they had experienced some wicking problems on the senders. They were very good to us on all our visits.

[a k]

Damn, I thought I hadn't filled mine all the way up last Friday. Showed between 3/4 and full. Then a few miles down the road it showed full. I know I filled it when I put it away last fall and it showed 3/4 when I got it out. I guess I have the problem also.

[mountainaire]

The sending units run about $60. If you are mechanically inclined you can replace the unit yourself. There should be a port hole with a screw in cover access cover which will looks similar to the one in your water compartment, the one that your sewer hose goes through. Unscrew and remove the access cover. The sending unit will be right behind in on the side of your fuel tank. The sending unit will have four bolt that hold it in the fuel tank. There is a single wire that comes outo the center of the sending unit which will attach to the lead that goes to your fuel gauge. Caution do not remove the fuel sending unit until your fuel level is less than 1/4 tank or it will be less than a 1/4 tank in a few minutes. After you remove the bolts you can remove the sending unit. The sending unit has a bout a 12" long rod that attaches the float to the sending unit itself. The sending unit will come out fairly easy. Be careful not to bend the rod on the new unit. Replace the bolts. Be sure to use a new gasket and re-connect the wire to the fuel gauge. You may have to crawl under the coach to connect the wire as there is not enough room to put both hands through the access hole. The replacement will take about 1/2 hour. Be careful and don't smoke or light a cigarette until after your are fininshed.

[MBnKen]

Thanks for the installation tips. I may need to change mine if it gets worse over time. I can live with the level reading fluctuations for now after a fuel fill.

[Jimcounts]

I have an 07 Mountain Aire and the sending unit goes crazy when I fill up. I though i was losing fuel at an alarming rate.
Then I noticed fuel behind each wheel but can't find any holes in the fill tube or loose clamps. I took the fill tube guard off (a larger rigid pipe cut in half) and ran my hand up and down the hose looking for a wet spot. Nothing and the fill pipe is flexible and the clamps are as tight as I can turn them.
Anyone out there have any ideas??????
I appreciate any suggestion you have. I have learned a ton from this website. It help me solve a coolant loss on my Hydro Hot. You guys are great. Jim

[Perry White]

Look in the first basement door passenger side and on the back wall there should be a cover plug like the one in the water compartment for sewer hose. Unscrew it and that is the access to the fuel sending unit.

[Jimcounts]

Thanks. I will check that today