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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

Senior Member

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

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

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

Senior Member

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

Senior Member

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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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

Senior Member

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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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

Senior Member

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

Senior Member

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

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

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

boybach wrote on Tue, 20 July 2021 02:51

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,

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

Senior Member

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! Rolling Eyes

Rolling Eyes

How big are the fuel tanks anyway? (or maybe I should use the correct terminology - not "gas tank" but "Consumer Motorfuel Storage Appliance" eh? Laughing

Laughing

)

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]

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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

Senior Member

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:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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

Senior Member

James Hupy wrote on Tue, 20 July 2021 19:43

25 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

Senior Member

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: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365593 is a reply to message #365554]

Wed, 21 July 2021 07:41

JohnL455

Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL

Karma: 12

Senior Member

Call it 1 GPH. Lots of variables but that is an easy to grasp number.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

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Re: [GMCnet] Re: Gas gauge issues all of a sudden [message #365595 is a reply to message #365585]

Wed, 21 July 2021 09:11

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

boybach wrote on Wed, 21 July 2021 00:42

Just 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

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 #365598 is a reply to message #365595]

Wed, 21 July 2021 11:21

boybach

Messages: 566
Registered: December 2020
Location: Vancouver Island

Karma: 4

Senior Member

Matt Colie wrote on Wed, 21 July 2021 07:11

boybach wrote on Wed, 21 July 2021 00:42
Just 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

Senior Member

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 - 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 #365604 is a reply to message #365599]

Wed, 21 July 2021 12:41

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

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

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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

Senior Member

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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