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I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a tank,
the needle will dance from full to empty. When it gets to about 1/4 of a
tank, it falls to empty and stays there.
Wasn't all that big of a problem, but then the front tank started doing the
same thing. So now, once below 1/2 a tank of gas, I never really know how
much I have.
I have in fact run out of gas on occasions, but have gotten smart and carry
a gas can with a couple gallons in it in the bed of the truck.
"David Coleman" <hickman@ktc.com> wrote in message
news:us_Ge.69$A53.34853@news.uswest.net...
> I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
> will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a
tank,
> the needle will dance from full to empty. When it gets to about 1/4 of a
> tank, it falls to empty and stays there.
> Wasn't all that big of a problem, but then the front tank started doing
the
> same thing. So now, once below 1/2 a tank of gas, I never really know how
> much I have.
> I have in fact run out of gas on occasions, but have gotten smart and
carry
> a gas can with a couple gallons in it in the bed of the truck.
>
> Any ideas??
>
>
Sounds like the sending units are going out. Fairly common on Fords of that
vintage. I had to replace the rear tank unit on my '86 F150/351W recently.
New sending units are available online, as well as shops that will rebuild
your unit(s). Run a search on Fuel Sending Units and some sources will show
up.
Here's an idea. Replace the sending units. About $15 ea. You can also buy
them at NAPA, Carquest and of course Ford.
s
"David Coleman" <hickman@ktc.com> wrote in message
news:us_Ge.69$A53.34853@news.uswest.net...
>I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
>will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a
>tank, the needle will dance from full to empty. When it gets to about 1/4
>of a tank, it falls to empty and stays there.
> Wasn't all that big of a problem, but then the front tank started doing
> the same thing. So now, once below 1/2 a tank of gas, I never really know
> how much I have.
> I have in fact run out of gas on occasions, but have gotten smart and
> carry a gas can with a couple gallons in it in the bed of the truck.
>
> Any ideas??
>
On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 01:45:47 -0500, David Coleman wrote:
> I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
> will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a tank,
> the needle will dance from full to empty. When it gets to about 1/4 of a
> tank, it falls to empty and stays there.
> Wasn't all that big of a problem, but then the front tank started doing the
> same thing. So now, once below 1/2 a tank of gas, I never really know how
> much I have.
> I have in fact run out of gas on occasions, but have gotten smart and carry
> a gas can with a couple gallons in it in the bed of the truck.
>
> Any ideas??
Use the trip odometer as a replacement fuel supply measuring device.
I've had two fords, so far, where the fuel gauge didn't work and I
just used the trip odometer: fill tank full every time and reset
odometer; refill around 200-230 miles.
I also used an old Pontiac one winter that didn't have a trip odometer
and 1/4 on the gauge meant "empty". A station wagon with worse gas
mileage than my pickup!
As for fixing the problem ... I guess replacing the sending units
sounds like a good idea, if you think the labor is worth it. I never
tried to fix it on any of the vehicles I drove since the trip odometer
was good enough for me.
-D
--
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
Proverbs 17:3
I do that. But after a couple of bad experiences, I now carry a gas can with
about 2 gallons of gas in it...Get tired of walking, or having to call
someone and wait...lol
"Derrick Hudson" <dman@dman13.dyndns.org> wrote in message
news:cal1s2-jt3.ln1@dman13.dyndns.org...
> On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 01:45:47 -0500, David Coleman wrote:
>> I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
>> will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a
>> tank,
>> the needle will dance from full to empty. When it gets to about 1/4 of a
>> tank, it falls to empty and stays there.
>> Wasn't all that big of a problem, but then the front tank started doing
>> the
>> same thing. So now, once below 1/2 a tank of gas, I never really know how
>> much I have.
>> I have in fact run out of gas on occasions, but have gotten smart and
>> carry
>> a gas can with a couple gallons in it in the bed of the truck.
>>
>> Any ideas??
>
> Use the trip odometer as a replacement fuel supply measuring device.
> I've had two fords, so far, where the fuel gauge didn't work and I
> just used the trip odometer: fill tank full every time and reset
> odometer; refill around 200-230 miles.
>
> I also used an old Pontiac one winter that didn't have a trip odometer
> and 1/4 on the gauge meant "empty". A station wagon with worse gas
> mileage than my pickup!
>
> As for fixing the problem ... I guess replacing the sending units
> sounds like a good idea, if you think the labor is worth it. I never
> tried to fix it on any of the vehicles I drove since the trip odometer
> was good enough for me.
>
> -D
>
> --
> The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
> but the Lord tests the heart.
> Proverbs 17:3
>
> www: http://dman13.dyndns.org/~dman/ jabber:
> dman@dman13.dyndns.org
>
Steve Barker wrote:
> Here's an idea. Replace the sending units. About $15 ea. You can also buy
> them at NAPA, Carquest and of course Ford.
>
>
> s
>
>
"Gus" <rokkits@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123854419.647452.131780@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Steve Barker wrote:
>> Here's an idea. Replace the sending units. About $15 ea. You can also
>> buy
>> them at NAPA, Carquest and of course Ford.
>>
>>
>> s
>>
>>
>
> $15 ?!?
>
> Not bloody likely.
>
> More like $75-$100 depending on year and tank.
>
> Gus
>
No, you can get the whole fuel pump and sender assembly for that kind of
money. I don't know what the sender costs, but it's not much. But then, if
the posters really look to us for prices rather than to a store, it's not
bloody likely they actually plan to buy or fix anything anyway.
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