Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Gas gauge issues all of a sudden ((well I WAS messing about in the dash yesterday))
Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365554] |
Mon, 19 July 2021 21:53 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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After my shakedown cruise last week, -I'm guessing about 250 miles or so round trip, the gas gauge showed just under 1/2 tank.
I'd filled it to the brim before I left, BTW.
I've been back about a week and put about 2 or 3 hours on the Onan so I could run the fridge and keep the house battery up. Well today I had the genny running and after about 10 mins it coughed a bit then quit. Wouldn't start again, tried to run for a second or so then died again.
Even though the coach was level and the gas gauge still showed just under 1/2, symptom was "out of gas" in my mind. Headed over to the gas station and put $100 bucks worth in. Up here in BC, gas is $1.66/litre which translates to $6.28/us gallon and $100 gets you 59.3 litres or just shy of 15 gallons. [yep I know it's fupped up, but what can ya do]
Anyway, was surprised to see gas gauge stay at just under 1/2. Onan fired up no problem and ran steady after the fill-up.
So ....looks like the gas gauge isn't working properly? I was, as the title says, "messing about in the dash yesterday" -however if it was down enough to make Onan quit it certainly wasn't at half a tank. The gauge might have stuck when I got back, before I took the dash apart, because it didn't really change from just under 1/2 all week.
The gas gauge always showed the amount of gas even when ign was off which I also found odd, the other two indicators, temp and oil pressure zero out when the engine quits, but not the gas gauge ...normal behaviour?
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365555 is a reply to message #365554] |
Mon, 19 July 2021 22:11 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547 Registered: March 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Larry,
Delco gauges are "Air Core" design. They stop reading when there is no power. When there is power, the read more or less correctly, over full or less than empty depending on the failure.
If your generator (APU) was running right and quit, the two first things I would check is can you hear the fuel pump running (click, click, click) and if it has a solenoid fuel valve (not all do), can you hear it open. Other than that, have you replaced all the rubber fuel line to the APU in the last 15 years?
If the answer to that is other than yes, and the test above are positive, then that is where to start.
If given just a little love and Onan can be DC3 reliable. (You have to show it you care...)
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365556 is a reply to message #365554] |
Mon, 19 July 2021 22:46 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186 Registered: January 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Your gas gauge is probably working just fine. I hardly ever push my coach past 250 miles between fill-ups. The claim of getting 8 - 10 MPG (or better) has never happened for me. The gauge is kind of a suggestion as to how much gas is in the tanks (similar to the coolant temp and the oil pressure). They are very flat tanks, so the sender doesn't have much travel.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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[GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365557 is a reply to message #365554] |
Mon, 19 July 2021 22:56 |
Nelson
Messages: 120 Registered: August 2014
Karma: 0
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There are two tanks and each has a sender. Have you tried selecting the aux tank and seeing if the gauge changes?
Nelson
Belle isle FL
Sent from my iPad
> On Jul 19, 2021, at 10:53 PM, twlldeen@gmail.com wrote:
> After my shakedown cruise last week, -I'm guessing about 250 miles or so round trip, the gas gauge showed just under 1/2 tank.
>
> I'd filled it to the brim before I left, BTW.
>
> I've been back about a week and put about 2 or 3 hours on the Onan so I could run the fridge and keep the house battery up. Well today I had the genny
> running and after about 10 mins it coughed a bit then quit. Wouldn't start again, tried to run for a second or so then died again.
> Even though the coach was level and the gas gauge still showed just under 1/2, symptom was "out of gas" in my mind. Headed over to the gas station and
> put $100 bucks worth in. Up here in BC, gas is $1.66/litre which translates to $6.28/us gallon and $100 gets you 59.3 litres or just shy of 15
> gallons. [yep I know it's fupped up, but what can ya do]
>
> Anyway, was surprised to see gas gauge stay at just under 1/2. Onan fired up no problem and ran steady after the fill-up.
>
> So ....looks like the gas gauge isn't working properly? I was, as the title says, "messing about in the dash yesterday" -however if it was down enough
> to make Onan quit it certainly wasn't at half a tank. The gauge might have stuck when I got back, before I took the dash apart, because it didn't
> really change from just under 1/2 all week.
>
> The gas gauge always showed the amount of gas even when ign was off which I also found odd, the other two indicators, temp and oil pressure zero out
> when the engine quits, but not the gas gauge ...normal behaviour?
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 Palm Beach 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. New Atwood fridge, water heater & furnace. New SS exhaust system,
> 6000w Onan, Iota Converter, R134A A/C, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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[GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365560 is a reply to message #365557] |
Mon, 19 July 2021 23:11 |
jimk
Messages: 6734 Registered: July 2006 Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Have you replaced all your fuel lines.
Some left the gen line alone and it will draw in air and no f*uel when
level loweres a little.*
On Mon, Jul 19, 2021 at 8:57 PM Nelson Wright wrote:
> There are two tanks and each has a sender. Have you tried selecting the
> aux tank and seeing if the gauge changes?
>
> Nelson
> Belle isle FL
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Jul 19, 2021, at 10:53 PM, twlldeen@gmail.com wrote:
>> After my shakedown cruise last week, -I'm guessing about 250 miles or
> so round trip, the gas gauge showed just under 1/2 tank.
>>
>> I'd filled it to the brim before I left, BTW.
>>
>> I've been back about a week and put about 2 or 3 hours on the Onan so I
> could run the fridge and keep the house battery up. Well today I had the
> genny
>> running and after about 10 mins it coughed a bit then quit. Wouldn't
> start again, tried to run for a second or so then died again.
>> Even though the coach was level and the gas gauge still showed just
> under 1/2, symptom was "out of gas" in my mind. Headed over to the gas
> station and
>> put $100 bucks worth in. Up here in BC, gas is $1.66/litre which
> translates to $6.28/us gallon and $100 gets you 59.3 litres or just shy of
> 15
>> gallons. [yep I know it's fupped up, but what can ya do]
>>
>> Anyway, was surprised to see gas gauge stay at just under 1/2. Onan
> fired up no problem and ran steady after the fill-up.
>>
>> So ....looks like the gas gauge isn't working properly? I was, as the
> title says, "messing about in the dash yesterday" -however if it was down
> enough
>> to make Onan quit it certainly wasn't at half a tank. The gauge might
> have stuck when I got back, before I took the dash apart, because it didn't
>> really change from just under 1/2 all week.
>>
>> The gas gauge always showed the amount of gas even when ign was off
> which I also found odd, the other two indicators, temp and oil pressure
> zero out
>> when the engine quits, but not the gas gauge ...normal behaviour?
>>
>> Larry
>> --
>> Larry - Victoria BC -
>>
>> 1977 Palm Beach 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the
> word NOT. New Atwood fridge, water heater & furnace. New SS exhaust system,
>> 6000w Onan, Iota Converter, R134A A/C, New fuel lines & heat exchange
> hoses
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365562 is a reply to message #365554] |
Tue, 20 July 2021 01:51 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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All the fuel lines have been changed, incl. gen so I don't think it's that. The genny usually runs just fine as it did after I gassed up. Could I have been low on gas after a 250 mile trip and a few hours of genny use? I was pushing the 403 pretty hard up the hills. What is the range of the coach?
I appreciate the float travel is limited but shouldn't I have some movement on the gauge after putting 15 gallons in? Is it normal for the fuel gauge to show true fuel level with ign off, key out and even after battery is disconnected?
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: [GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365563 is a reply to message #365557] |
Tue, 20 July 2021 01:53 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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Nelson wrote on Mon, 19 July 2021 20:56There are two tanks and each has a sender. Have you tried selecting the aux tank and seeing if the gauge changes?
Nelson
Belle isle FL
No, but I will tomorrow - Thanks!
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365566 is a reply to message #365562] |
Tue, 20 July 2021 09:39 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547 Registered: March 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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boybach wrote on Tue, 20 July 2021 02:51All the fuel lines have been changed, incl. gen so I don't think it's that. The genny usually runs just fine as it did after I gassed up. Could I have been low on gas after a 250 mile trip and a few hours of genny use? I was pushing the 403 pretty hard up the hills. What is the range of the coach?
I appreciate the float travel is limited but shouldn't I have some movement on the gauge after putting 15 gallons in? Is it normal for the fuel gauge to show true fuel level with ign off, key out and even after battery is disconnected?
Larry
Larry,
Let's look at all of this. You say you are hard pressed to make the 8~10 typically referenced. That is very believable. Let's (just for the discussion) say you were running real close to 7MPG. ~250 miles, if the tanks are the same level, then there is less than 15 gallons between them. At 7 per tank is real close to the 6-1/4 when that is the quarter tank mark. Please note: I know for a fact that the quarter tank as written is just an approximation...
If you did not carefully watch your fuel inventory, there is a very good chance that you were at less than the magic quarter tank...
And NO....
If you read the first line of what I answered to your first post of the thread, the Delco instruments of the period (and for many years after), fix where they are when the power goes away.
There is also an interesting feature in the fuel system. A consumer motorfuel dispenser (aka gas pump) spits out fuel at a maximum of about 10 GPM. If you are fueling a box stock TZE with a normal pump, between the fall from the fill neck and the pumps velocity, most if not all of the fuel added will go to the main (rear) fuel tank. I have done this myself and there was a demonstration of the fact at one of the internationals.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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Re: [GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365577 is a reply to message #365557] |
Tue, 20 July 2021 21:38 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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Nelson wrote on Mon, 19 July 2021 20:56There are two tanks and each has a sender. Have you tried selecting the aux tank and seeing if the gauge changes?
Nelson
Belle isle FL
The gauge did rise a bit past 1/2 when I switched to the Aux tank ..I guess what I learned from this is that the gauge works and a hundred bucks worth of gas in Canada ain't enough to push the gauge up a notch. Basically, money doesn't buy much anymore!
How big are the fuel tanks anyway? (or maybe I should use the correct terminology - not "gas tank" but "Consumer Motorfuel Storage Appliance" eh? )
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
[Updated on: Tue, 20 July 2021 21:42] Report message to a moderator
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[GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365578 is a reply to message #365577] |
Tue, 20 July 2021 21:43 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806 Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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25 US gallons each.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Tue, Jul 20, 2021, 7:38 PM wrote:
> Nelson wrote on Mon, 19 July 2021 20:56
>> There are two tanks and each has a sender. Have you tried selecting the
> aux tank and seeing if the gauge changes?
>>
>> Nelson
>> Belle isle FL
>
> The gauge did rise a bit past 1/2 when I switched to the Aux tank ..I
> guess what I learned from this is that the gauge works and a hundred bucks
> worth of gas in Canada ain't enough to push the gauge up a notch.
> Basically, money doesn't buy much anymore! :roll:
>
> How big are the fuel tanks anyway?
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 Palm Beach 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the
> word NOT. New Atwood fridge, water heater & furnace. New SS exhaust system,
> 6000w Onan, Iota Converter, R134A A/C, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: [GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365579 is a reply to message #365578] |
Tue, 20 July 2021 22:26 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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James Hupy wrote on Tue, 20 July 2021 19:4325 US gallons each.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
Thanks Jim
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: [GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365585 is a reply to message #365579] |
Tue, 20 July 2021 23:42 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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Just curious, how much gas does the average 6kw Onan burn per hour?
TIA
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: [GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365598 is a reply to message #365595] |
Wed, 21 July 2021 11:21 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
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Matt Colie wrote on Wed, 21 July 2021 07:11boybach wrote on Wed, 21 July 2021 00:42Just curious, how much gas does the average 6kw Onan burn per hour?
TIA
Larry
Larry,
I actually did the test with my 4.0 BF.
0.28/hr at no load
0.52/hr running 1 A/C unit.
There is no reason a 6.0 NH would be much different.
Matt
Thanks Matt, just what I needed, appreciate it
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365599 is a reply to message #365593] |
Wed, 21 July 2021 11:23 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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JohnL455 wrote on Wed, 21 July 2021 05:41Call it 1 GPH. Lots of variables but that is an easy to grasp number.
I can see how I ran low on gas, I run the Onan about 1hr every day even at base!!
Thanks John
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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[GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365612 is a reply to message #365604] |
Wed, 21 July 2021 17:28 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726 Registered: March 2004 Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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I don't think anyone has mentioned during this thread that the 1/4
tank=Onan Empty rule does not apply to Coachmen-fitted GMC's. Rather than
using the added pickup point on the main tank, as does GMC, Coachmen tee's
into the engine fuel line from the Main tank -- meaning the Onan can run
the Main tank "dry".
Ken H.
On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 1:47 PM Matt Colie wrote:
> boybach wrote on Wed, 21 July 2021 12:23
>> JohnL455 wrote on Wed, 21 July 2021 05:41
>>> Call it 1 GPH. Lots of variables but that is an easy to grasp number.
>>
>> I can see how I ran low on gas, I run the Onan about 1hr every day even
> at base!!
>>
>> Thanks John
>>
>> Larry
>
> Larry,
>
> If that is what you want to do, fuel when you are close to arriving and
> run on the auxiliary tank if you are not close. Get you fuel mileage
> documented and then you will have less trouble.
>
> Matt
>
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL,
> GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum
> Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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