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Jarog · 03-04-2013, 05:41 PM

So, I filled the RV up with fuel and drove it 7 miles with the gauge reading full. Stopped and when I got back in it the gauge reads half a tank. I tried to look for a fuel leak but all seems as it should be. The fuse for the gauges is good. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

Jarog · 03-04-2013, 05:47 PM

Btw. It's a 1986 itasca 25 ft sunflyer.

sdennislee · 03-04-2013, 07:47 PM

The float in the fuel tank may be stuck. Typically not something that you can correct without replacing the float.

KIX · 03-04-2013, 07:56 PM

So, it read full for a few miles then after a stop it only reads 1/2.........check the connections at the gauge on the tank.

Phobos · 03-04-2013, 09:18 PM

After working on all makes and brands of cars, light duty trucks and even heavy equipment and trucks, over the years I can say this:
About 95% of the time when you have trouble with a fuel gauge it's a bad connection/loose/corroded wire somewhere in the system.
Also, about 95% of the time, that bad connection/loose/corroded wire is extremely hard to find or spot.
With that being said, I wish you good luck and would suggest looking the wiring over really well before you start throwing money at it.
It took me a long time to learn that just because I THINK a part is bad, doesn't actually MAKE it bad. I could have probably saved thousands over the years if I had just learned to slow down and not jump to conclusions.

Jarog · 03-05-2013, 06:19 AM

Thanks. Ill pour all over it soon as I can. Ill post what I find.

ahicks · 03-05-2013, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobos

After working on all makes and brands of cars, light duty trucks and even heavy equipment and trucks, over the years I can say this:
About 95% of the time when you have trouble with a fuel gauge it's a bad connection/loose/corroded wire somewhere in the system.
Also, about 95% of the time, that bad connection/loose/corroded wire is extremely hard to find or spot.
With that being said, I wish you good luck and would suggest looking the wiring over really well before you start throwing money at it.
It took me a long time to learn that just because I THINK a part is bad, doesn't actually MAKE it bad. I could have probably saved thousands over the years if I had just learned to slow down and not jump to conclusions.

Learned a lot of those same lessons, but would add my experience generally led me to the top of the fuel tank - especially regarding wiring this old. One trick I learned also, is that if I could isolate the sending unit wire, you should be able to cut it back near the tank to send the fuel gauge one way, ground it to send it the other/opposite way. If this is what happens - there is no doubt the gauge and all related wiring are good. You're problem lies with the sending unit or wring connections right at that point. You are now justified/faced with dropping the tank.

Jarog · 03-05-2013, 10:29 AM

Ugh! Drop the tank! Appreciate you help. Now I have a direction to go.

whem2fish · 03-05-2013, 10:40 AM

Not that bad use 2 jack stands and a 2X6 to support the front and a floor jack on rear be sure to replace all hoses when in there

Jarog · 03-05-2013, 10:46 AM

Can u tell me me what the sending unit is? A transducer or an actual float of some kind? Just wondering.

Phobos · 03-05-2013, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarog

Can u tell me me what the sending unit is? A transducer or an actual float of some kind? Just wondering.

It is an actual float.
Yours is most likely a unit with the fuel pump at the bottom of the assembly if it's fuel injected.

Jarog · 03-05-2013, 02:28 PM

My 86 Itasca has a carberator.

Phobos · 03-05-2013, 09:45 PM

Then you will probably find a float with an arm on it and a pickup tube going down to a pre-filter or 'sock' as a lot of people call them.

There is a metal ring on top of the tank that turns to lock the unit into the tank if you have to take it out.
Hopefully, you will find the problem right away and won't have to go any further.

Good luck!