Community Forums

resullivan · 06-14-2018, 08:16 AM

From day one when filling the fuel tank, the needle on the gauge when full, only showed about halfway between the 3/4 and full, when the needle dropped to the 1/2 mark it would only take about 45-50 gallons to fill tank/ if ran it down to showing 1/4 tank it would only take about 75 to 80 gallons to fill. Coach has just over 15,000 miles. Just recently filled coach and needle only indicated 1/2 while tank was full to filler cap, when driving the needle slowly wanders from just over 1/2 full, down to 1/4 full. While I realize these fuel gauges are not all that accurate, this one surely has a problem. Anyone else experience fuel gauge problems and what was the remedy?

Stuart W · 06-14-2018, 08:19 AM

Sounds like the fuel sending unit in the tank is bad. Should be covered under chassis warranty.

Webz · 06-14-2018, 02:52 PM

I had a similar problem until I started filling up at non truck pumps. The larger diameter of the fuel filling hose produced so much foam that I could never get above 5/8 of a tank. If you are filling at truck islands, try the smaller one. It might help.

Canuck53 · 06-14-2018, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webz

I had a similar problem until I started filling up at non truck pumps. The larger diameter of the fuel filling hose produced so much foam that I could never get above 5/8 of a tank. If you are filling at truck islands, try the smaller one. It might help.

Are there different size truck islands at the truck stops?

Wow never knew. Smaller and slower fills?

imgoin4it · 06-14-2018, 05:34 PM

My coach was a little older than yours when the fuel sending unit in the fuel tank went bad. A leaking seal and the wires get wet with diesel fuel and that is exactly the way it acts.i got a new sending unit from Spartan and had it installed. If yours is still under warranty I would expect it would be replaced by chassis manufacturer. On the Spartan chassis the sending unit is installed in the side of the fuel tank through an access round “door” in back of the right front storage bin.

Gordon Dewald · 06-14-2018, 05:38 PM

Take it in for warranty work.

twojayhawks · 06-14-2018, 05:46 PM

From day one when filling the fuel tank, the needle on the gauge when full, only showed about halfway between the 3/4 and full, when the needle dropped to the 1/2 mark it would only take about 45-50 gallons to fill tank/ if ran it down to showing 1/4 tank it would only take about 75 to 80 gallons to fill.

Mine is the same up to this point in your description. Further, I leave with a full tank (trust me it's full) and 100 miles later & I'm at the 3/4 mark. After that it starts slowing down and seems like I can go 400 miles before I get to a half tank. I never gave it much thought as every one of my coach's had a squirrely fuel gage (but mostly accurate in the big picture). Regardless I use miles & my Silverleaf software to really track what's going on. I just look at the needle gage sometimes & roll my eye's.

Webz · 06-14-2018, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck53

Are there different size truck islands at the truck stops?

Wow never knew. Smaller and slower fills?

The nozzles at the car islands are smaller and slower to fill but, I get more fuel in the tank. Just make sure you can get in and out. When using the truck islands at the slowest setting still fills the tank with a lot of foam.

Algonquin · 06-14-2018, 06:09 PM

I never realized that diesel foams. I wondered why the pump often shuts off early at truck stops. When I get back in the coach I see the fuel gauge is not at full.

Stuart W · 06-14-2018, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by resullivan

when driving the needle slowly wanders from just over 1/2 full, down to 1/4 full.

In my opinion this is not an issue with filling and foam
Stuart

Webz · 06-14-2018, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Algonquin

I never realized that diesel foams. I wondered why the pump often shuts off early at truck stops. When I get back in the coach I see the fuel gauge is not at full.

The routing of the filler neck on the coach probably has some influence on the amount of foam. I have to admit I have not used the filler on the driver's side. May make a difference.

willipaul · 06-14-2018, 07:45 PM

at the truck pumps, just use the first notch when you are locking the nozzle in the "on" position....don't let the fuel go in at the fastest rate...

makes a very big difference....

that being said, i do think the OP's issue could be a fuel sending unit issue....or...

is your unit on a FL or SP chassis ? with my tiffin on a FL chassis, the gauge never really read full when full....and my buddies 2016 ventana on a FL chassis does the same thing...the way the gauge works on my current SP chassis is much better....it is also a 150 gallon tank, so that might have something to do with it, as well.... the other two mentioned coaches were / are 100 gal tanks.....

tmh1953 · 06-14-2018, 09:04 PM

Had same problem would fill up gauge would show 3/4 . Gauge would never go below 1/2 . Replaced fuel sending unit all is well now.

FL420 · 06-14-2018, 09:26 PM

I have found that very few fuel pump islands are even close to level. I have some cheap bubble levels on the floor near my right foot next to the base of the center console drawers.
I can fill from either side of the coach. When I pull up to the pump I immediately check the bubbles and if necessary raise the side nearest the pump with the jacks so it is a bubble higher than the side farthest from the pump.
It's usually allows me to put up to 15 more gallons in depending on the amount of slope.
My fuel gauge has always had similar errors to those reported by the OP.