Running out of Diesel

[Brianinozarks]

Got a Kubota L3130 ran out of diesel when there was still 2 bars on the gauge. Thoughts?

 

[GManBart]

Re: Runnung out of Diesel

Got a Kubota L3130 ran out of diesel when there was still 2 bars on the gauge. Thoughts?

It's not uncommon for fuel gauges to be inaccurate like this...I just avoid letting mine get below half a tank. You could look into replacing parts, (sending unit, etc) but there might be a way to calibrate the system (not sure).

 

[CobyRupert]

Did you check the tank with a dip stick?
Are you sure it ran out or maybe froze up?

 

[oldballs]

Welcome, Brian in Ozarks, to TBN. In an old Plymouth without a functioning gauge, I just had to keep track of the mileage. On a tractor, I guess you'll just have to look into the tank, or keep it at least half full or fix the gauge as above. In the winter, it's good to keep it nearly full anyway.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Baby Grand]

Did you check the tank with a dip stick?
Are you sure it ran out or maybe froze up?

That's what I was thinking - is there still fuel in the tank, but it's not able to get to the cylinders due to filters or tubes blocked or because pump or injectors are not working?

Welcome, Brian in Ozarks, to TBN. In an old Plymouth without a functioning gauge, I just had to keep track of the mileage. On a tractor, I guess you'll just have to look into the tank, or keep it at least half full or fix the gauge as above. In the winter, it's good to keep it nearly full anyway.
Cheers,
Mike

I did this for over a year with an old Volvo 140 series. The gage would read full down to 3/4 tank, then drop to empty, then recover at 1/4 tank and read accurately from here into the Empty zone. Whenever I bough gas I'd fill up & reset the trip meter and knew I'd have to stop for gas when it got near 250 miles or so. Worked fine until one night, driving home from Tucson, on Dec 22 or 23rd, 1978, I ran out of gas on I-40, just west of Conway, Arkansas. It was early evening, about 20 or 25 degrees with a steady, brutal 20 mph wind out of the North. Couldn't see any lights, so I figured I'd stay in the car with flashers on until a trooper stopped to investigate. I spent the whole night in that car with no heat and watched as several state cars zipped by without stopping. Thought I was gonna freeze to death - glad I had a sleeping bag & down jacket with me. Turned out one of the carbs had sprung a leak and dumped the remaining fuel long before the trip meter said I should stop for gas. Ever since, I wear warm clothes in the car whenever I go winter driving and keep a few moving blankets in the trunk, JIC.

 

[BLUE ME]

Just as easy to keep the top half full.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Not saying that this is the case but it can be ironic that the more accurate a device can appear to be, as in "digital" the more out to lunch it can be. A digital reading can be totally arbitrary. Just for instance, there are reports of the new hydro "smart" meters being out by as much as 50 per cent, and these are supposed to be calibrated for retail trade!

In this case, I would question your previous experience. Has it been accurate in the past? I have a collapsed plastic fuel tank on a peice of equipment that I got like that and since it is buried in the machine, haven't got a clue how it could have gotten like that, unless it was subjected to some suction. So that fuel sender is always off!

Digital gauges or any gauge for that matter, rely on a regulated voltage to display accurately.

 

[milligjg]

I rarely let any of my stuff get below a half, truck, boat, equipment, etc. I've heard fuel is the lubricant for electric in tank pumps and if you let it go low that shortens their life span. That might be B.S., but the price of some of these pumps it can't hurt to try it.

 

[Brianinozarks]

Re: Runnung out of Diesel

I am going to keep above 1/2 until I can check and or calibrate the system... Thanks

 

[Brianinozarks]

Yes I did check the tank with a dip stick..... Thanks