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Topic: Fuel Tank Sender Access (Read 1300 times) previous topic - next topic

Fuel Tank Sender Access

Where or how do I access the fuel tank sender unit on the top of my fuel tank on my '89 GV? In the hallway, about where the bathroom wall makes a turn toward the driver's side there is a screw head discernable under the carpet. Is there an access cover about there or do I have to drop the tank (full) just to get to the sender?
Currently the fuel gauge reads 3/8 when the tank is full. A friend that worked for FWD (fire trucks) in Clintonville, WI says they always had an access cover on top of the fuel tanks in order to adjust the float on Oshkosh Truck platforms.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #1 –
Quote
Where or how do I access the fuel tank sender unit on the top of my fuel tank on my '89 GV?
Do I have to drop the tank (full) just to get to the sender?
http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/Centroid_fuel_sender_calibration.html

Based on the Oshkosh drawing of the fuel tank the sender is located on the top of the tank and would require removing the tank to get at it unless Foretravel put in an access plate in the coach floor. John Cooper 91 GV 36' Oshkosh chassis

Foretravel did not make an opening in the floor of the coach. The tank will have to be dropped. The Oshkosh sender is a float type sender, with ohms resistance depending on the gauge that was installed. That is the correct procedure. James Triana
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #2 –
Nighthawk,  On my 95 U280 the sender has been replaced three times.  The  gauge never reads more than 1/2 but it does read correctly below 1/2.  My method is to use the trip meter and when I get  800 miles on it I look for fuel.  I have run 934 miles and still had fuel but generator would not run.  Figure out your mileage, use the trip meter and do like I do and worry about something important, like how long beer takes to cool in the reefer  or how many drinks there are in a bottle of single malt. ;D

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #3 –
Before going to the trouble of dropping the tank, make sure the sending unit has a good ground. You may be able to check it under the dash cover.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #4 –
Quote
Quoting Gary Bouland: "My method is to use the trip meter and when I get 800 miles on it I look for fuel.  I have run 934 miles and still had fuel but genny would not run."

Gary,
 
Assuming your coach has the 148 gallon tank, how full do you fill the tank to get 900+ miles?  I try to put the level to within 1/2" -3/4"of the top of the filler opening at the junction of the tube and the tank.  When I do so the fuel gauge shows 1-2mm over the full mark.  I start getting nervous when I have driven to the high 700's (tank gauge shows slightly less than 1/4 full).  The most I have put in is 110 gallons for 810 miles (when I was driving 70 mph).  I now drive 65 mph and the mileage has increased to 9.3 mph.  I would like to increase the range by 100 miles, but I guess I am chicken, not knowing how close to "full" the tank actually is.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #5 –
Don, At 800 miles I rarely put in more than 100 gallons which leaves me with around 40 gallons reserve.  I picked 800 out of the blue as its an easy number to remember and since I am getting on average 8.2 MPG that gets me an 800 number.  On one trip I drove 932 miles and did not run out of fuel, took 115 gallons.  Boy I hated to see that on the credit card.
I fill to the bottom on the filler neck.  In most truck stops the nozzle has a lip on it and I hook the nozzle on the top lip of the filler neck and then carefully fill to the bottom of the filler neck. Seems to be pretty consistant.

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #6 –
Hey, thanks everbody,

My tank capacity is about 100 gallons. If I use  the ratio of 8 pounds per gallon I have 800 pounds plus hanging up under the coach. This would definitely make for awkward handling when trying ro lower the tank. I think I will wait until we have the tank almost empty next spring, then drop the tank. I am going to follow Gary's advice and use the odometer as an alternate fuel gauge, with a safe margin above empty. I will try to fill up when I reach a calculated half tank bases on mileage.

But, is there a better fix for this type of tank than just adjusting the sender unit?? I have read the posts re the newer tank sending unit replacements. Satisfactorily successful? Marginally? Disappointed?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #7 –
Our fuel gauge works, but we try to fill based on where the next Flying J is and miles driven.  We fill at about 30 - 60 gallons low.
 
A fuel tank can be emptied using a $10 drill pump.  Problem is finding enough empty containers to store pumped-out fuel. We used a drill pump to empty a pretty full tank when we had to remove our tank to remove the center fuel line.

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #8 –
Hi ,

Thanks for the hint. I guess I was having an "oldtimers" moment. I already have the pump, hose, and will just pick up a couple plastic drums to siphon the fuel into. BUT, it is getting cold here in Northern Wisconsin so I think I will do what you and Gary do--Fill up based on estimated MPG whereby I might need 30 to 50 gallons.

If the DW can stay out of Emergency-Intensive Care for the remainder of the year we plan on heading South after Xmas.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #9 –
Nighthawk,

Is your GV on a Foretravel or Oshkosh chassis?  The fuel tank on my Oshkosh chassis has a drain plug in the bottom of it but it also has a four foot long fuel inlet pipe that goes to the middle of the tank making siphoning a problem.  Also, water weighs 8 lbs per gallon but diesel is lighter at 7.2 lbs per gallon so 100 gallons is 80 lbs lighter, as if it would matter.
John Cooper
'91 GV 36'
Oshkosh chassis
Cat 3208T 300HP

Re: Fuel Tank Sender Access

Reply #10 –
Hi John,


My GV is on an Oshkosh chassis and you are correct---long filler hose and the weight of diesel is different. But, add in the weight of the tank and the hardware it sits on, and the 80# reappears.
Apparently you have the same Oshkosh truck setup. What have you done to improve the ride and handling?  (less like a garbage truck and more like a lumber truck?)
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD