Fuel gauge/sending unit problem ?

K

ken emigh

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2007
RO Number
25623
Messages
154
1996 carver 380
Single fuel gauge for both tanks.
Toggle switch on dash:
Switch is centered.
Move switch to right for starboard tank.
Move switch to left for port tank.
When I move switch to right to check level of starboard tank it reads what I assume is correct level.
When I move switch to left to check port tank it reads a quarter of tank less in difference from starboard tank.
This problem began at the beginning of the season.
Since owning the boat I have always put equal amounts of fuel in each tank when fueling.
There are no leaks!
So my question is,
is the sending most likely bad or could it be the contacts on the switch itself or both?
Thanks in advance.
 
I have to ask this obvious question, you said "Since owning the boat I have always put equal amounts of fuel in each tank when fueling." Are you saying you simply put the same amount in each tank or are you filling both tanks? It is common for engines to not burn the exact amount of fuel and over time the difference in the tanks would grow. The second obvious question is do you have a generator that pulls from one of the tanks. If the answer to the first questions is yes then try going to the fuel dock and filling both tanks and then checking the gauge.
 
No I do not have a generator.
Since owning the boat I have put equal amounts in.
I have flo scan so I know what I'm usually burning.
As I said this problem began at the beginning of the season.
I have owned the boat for 4/5 years.
 
Fill the tamks then see. It is possible someone took some fuel.
 
Possible but not likely. The port tank reads less fuel than the starboard side.
Last fall when boat was put up they were equally empty.
When I fueled this spring that is when I started having the fuel level reading problem.
 
I have an older Carver Santego 380 and my Crusaders do burn at different rates due to the counter rotation of the one engine which for some reason does not burn at the same rate as the normal rotation. Like others have suggested, top off both tanks to see if there is truly a difference in tank readings and run through a tank(s) of gas to determine whether there is a difference in fuel burn-I think you will discover there is. Other things to consider-one prop out of true...sender unit going bad-a definte possible due to age...engine tune....carb (Rochester needing reubuilt) timing off....etc. Just my two cents.
 
Easy way to test is to gradually fill tanks taking readings at each increment of added fuel
 
Could swap wires on gauges & see what results. Probably quickest way to determine if it's engines, senders or gauges.
BOB J
 
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