Ya I'm bragging a bit... Fuel Gauge Accuracy

[Dana67Dart]

So I normally don't let my tank get below 1/4 tank. This time I let it get to about a needles width below 1/4 tank, basically the needle was just enough past 1/4 to see a smidge of black between the needle and the white line.

I filled the tank and it took 14.441 gallons

1-(14.441/18.00) = .1977 which is about 20% or just below 1/4 tank

I didn't get a photo but wish I had

 

[Murray]

I think we are all jealous.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I think we are all jealous

I know!

 

[RAT ROD AL]

Give it a real test to empty. With a full gas can in the trunk !

 

[mvh]

Yeah, kind of the crucial question is, how much is left in the tank when the gauge reads exactly at E? From my experiments it is at least 1 gallon, which sounds substantial but is only about 12 miles worth, so not necessarily going to get you to the next station on the interstate.

On my road trips I tend to chicken out and pullover at the 1/8 mark. This usually amounts to something like 15 gallons. But then, it is almost impossible to get it full with the stupid CA nozzles, without dumping gas all over.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Give it a real test to empty. With a full gas can in the trunk

I did that already, had to duck into the dirt on the interstate in a construction zone, going up hill.

Ruts 10" tall.

My tank holds 2 gallons that the pickup can't reach

Another way to do the same is hook an electric fuel pump to the pickup tube out of the tank and drain it till no more fuel comes out. Then add back fuel measuring each gallon till it's full.

 

[CFD244]

Then add back fuel measuring each gallon till it's full.

I did this when I installed the new tank and refurbished sender. LOL, I keep the info on a note pad in the console...And, keep a fuel log when driving! Around 200 miles I stop to fill.

 

[1MeanA]

It must be nice. I'm trying to get some accuracy with my stock sender and a Metermatch module. I calibrated it on the bench with resistors and thought I had it dialed in. I then realized that the readings are different between engine running and not running and I have to start all over.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I keep the info on a note pad in the console...And, keep a fuel log when driving! Around 200 miles I stop to fill.

My dad drove his / my dart that way for a decade. he only ran out of gas once.

 

[DionR]

It must be nice. I'm trying to get some accuracy with my stock sender and a Metermatch module. I calibrated it on the bench with resistors and thought I had it dialed in. I then realized that the readings are different between engine running and not running and I have to start all over.

Can you explain that please?

I too have a Metermatch style box and set things up so (in theory) it would be fairly accurate. But it seems like it is all over the place at times. Last time I left town with a 40 miles drive to the next gas station and it was around a 1/4 tank. Didn't drop much in the first 20 miles but then I turned off and took some back roads with hills (guessing that is related) and it went to empty all of the sudden. Made it to the first gas station fine, but it pisses me off. Maybe my problem is what you are referencing? Never crossed my mind it would matter if the motor was running when I was calibrating things. And frankly that would be a huge pain if it did require it.

 

[1MeanA]

Can you explain that

I'll send you a pm

 

[Dana67Dart]

Never crossed my mind it would matter if the motor was running when I was calibrating things. And frankly that would be a huge pain if it did require it.

the other thing to consider is the temperature. if you are in a 100 deg garage vs a 40 deg garage the guages CAN read differently, not by a lot but... also if the gauge is freshly turned on it is less stable then if it has been powered on for say 5 minutes