I need an answer... F250

[Jspafford]

I have been plagued with this phenomenum since I've had this truck. It is EXTREMELY annoying. I can fill it up and before I even pull out of the station the guage is bouncing between full and 3/4.

I was on my way home and noticed it happening a little. This is nothing compared to what it does sometimes, but even this is not normal.

What do I need to repair/replace to fix this.

Here is a video I took with the cell phone, sorry the radio is loud, I was using one hand to hold the phone and the other to steer so I wasn't able to turn it down.

Any Ideas?

http://jspafford.com/0414081710.3g2

 

[Roadkill]

Is it gas or Diesel?

Reason I ask is the diesel tanks can have a 4" or longer pipe from the fill tube that sticks into the tank. This causes the foam to shoot back up the vent and turn off the fill nozzle. The fix is to either drop the tank or pull the bed back far enough to get at the sending unit. Then you have to take a good set of pipe cutters and trim the pipe back to the top of the tank. You'll find you also get anywhere from 4 to 8 more gallons in per fill.

If you have a longer tube in your truck then it never truly fills and as the fuel sloshes around it will show on the gauge.

 

[Jspafford]

It's a plug popper 5.4L.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I can't view the video, but it I think my F-150 does something similar. It doesn't do it very often, maybe once every couple months. The needle just kind of flicks, really just annoying.

It is better than my Ranger where the fuel level can very by half a tank each time you drive it, for the whole trip. Although only putting in $20 of fuel and filling it up is a nice surprise.

 

[Roadkill]

Bad sending unit maybe? Or a flakey wire somewhere? I don't know for sure if the gassers had the same issue with the fill tubes in the tanks or not.

 

[Jspafford]

It makes me crazy. It becomes accurate when it gets down to 1/2 a tank, but I never know how much fuel I've used up until that point.

It really jerks my chain when I just spend $65 filling it up, and it's down off full before I even leave the station!

 

[fordwheelinman]

if you shoot me a pm with the vin, i can take a look at TSB's on it. im pretty sure there is one for an updated sending unit that is more resistant to build up and degradation from the sulfur content of todays fuels. just one option, or run by your local dealer and see if they will do it for you.

 

[Explorin94]

I did one about 2 months ago. It turned out to be the sending unit. Got the part from NAPA and hasn't had a problem since.

 

[Jspafford]

How much of a PITA was it to change? I have a fifth wheel hitch, so the bed coming off is not an option.

I will PM you the vin numvber later, thanks!

 

[Explorin94]

How much of a PITA was it to change? I have a fifth wheel hitch, so the bed coming off is not an option.

I will PM you the vin numvber later, thanks!

I did drop the tank from the bottom. It wasn't to bad as I told my buddy to start spraying the bolts. Another thing is drive it till it's almost dry and the tank doesn't weigh as much.

 

[fordwheelinman]

or you just use an electric transfer pump to drain the tank, not that bad.

 

[Jspafford]

How much was the sending unit? How long did the job take you? It appears as my tank is plastic and has a decent sized skid plate under it.

I may tear into it sometime, because after driving the B2 for the last few months, whenever I drive it, it makes me nuts.

 

[Explorin94]

How much was the sending unit? How long did the job take you? It appears as my tank is plastic and has a decent sized skid plate under it.

I may tear into it sometime, because after driving the B2 for the last few months, whenever I drive it, it makes me nuts.

The pump was $216.73 (carquest) the job took about 2 hours.