What's up with my fuel gauge???

[kebo]

A week ago last Friday I bushhogged approx. 2 1/2 acres for a neighbor. Before I started, the fuel gauge was reading just above 3/8 of a tank. I kept a close eye on it and when I got finished and drove it back to the shed, it was registering just barely above the red warning mark. So last Friday, I was going to drive it 1/2 mile up the road to the local convenience store and fill it up with off road diesel.

Before I left, I decided to stick the tank just for the heck of it. It came up showing about 4" of wet stick. I thought, "Well that can't be right? So, I got another stick and repeated it, and got the same result. WTH? The gauge was indicating almost empty.

So, I got to the pump and filled it up and it would only hold an extra 3.29 gallons, and the gauge now reads full. According to my manual, the tank holds 6.3 gallons. Is there a float inside the tank? If so, maybe it's messed up somehow? If not, maybe the sending unit?

It's not really a big problem now that I know it is off, I will just have to keep it mind from now on. I guess if it was reading the other way (less fuel in it than it was indicating), that WOULD be a problem!

 

[zzvyb6]

I can imagine that the float element has slid up the float rod a ways. Thus the rod angle indicates empty when its 1/4 full. Then you fill the tank and it reads full. Draw yourself a picture of this from the side view and you can see the effect it would have. If you can drain the tank and put a mechanic's diagnostic mirror there, you can check it.

 

[jeff9366]

Your older Deere may have a metal fuel tank. New tractors have moulded plastic fuel tanks.

Metal or plastic there is no guarantee tractor fuel tanks have a symmetrical shape. Plastic tanks seldom have a symmetrical shape.

Therefore float fuel gauges register asymmetrically.

 

[MF283]

I can fill my 5303 & it will register 3/4 of a tank & run on empty for awhile, which it really isn't.
It's just an aggravation to pull the cap & peer inside, or stick it to see.

Ronnie

 

[jenkinsph]

With a 6 gallon tank and poor accuracy with the gauge I would keep a full can of fuel at the house. Problem solved.

 

[beenthere]

jenkinsph
:thumbsup:

My solution too...

 

[kebo]

Your older Deere may have a metal fuel tank. New tractors have moulded plastic fuel tanks.

Metal or plastic there is no guarantee tractor fuel tanks have a symmetrical shape. Plastic tanks seldom have a symmetrical shape.

Therefore float fuel gauges register asymmetrically.

I am pretty sure that the tank is plastic. The tractor is at my parents so I can't just run out to the shed and check it. It does seem that the float/sending unit does not read or measure the fuel level in a linear fashion. Don't know of a way to check it other than to drain it, and see what it reads, then fill it back up and see what it reads then. However, I don't think it's that much of an issue to bother with doing that. Now that I know it can be off some, I just to plan to keep it filled up more often now, since the pump is only a 1/2 mile drive up the road.

 

[beenthere]

Good excuse to get some tractor time in the seat..

 

[stuckmotor]

My fuel guage is acting up too. Must be a S.C. thing.

 

[fishheadbob]

My fuel guage is acting up too. Must be a S.C. thing.

It's universal. I have one or two gauges which actually work right.