Gas gauge issue

[liebs]

I have a Glastron 185 GX with a built in 29 gallon gas tank. Over the 4th, I launched my boat with a full gas tank and drove 1 mile to my dock. The next day when I took the boat out, the gauge read empty. I started thinking that someone had stole all of my gas. I stuck 4 ft of some 12 gauge wire down the filler cap and down the neck of the gas tank and came up empty. Long story short (I'll leave out the part of the Sheriff's report), when I went to the gas station to fill it up, it only took about 2 gallons. So now it looks like the gauge stopped working. When I turn the key on, the needle goes from below empty up to the empty line. Gauge has worked fine up until then.

Questions:

Where should I start troubleshooting? Float sticking? Gauge malfunctioning?

Do these tanks have anything that would prevent syphoning in case I ever do have a theft issue?

Does anyone use a locking gas cap on their built in tanks? I was told when I bought it that I didn't need one.

Thanks...

[BartmanMN]

I'd worry more about the 500 prop than the 100 in gas. That sucks you went through the hassle on the police report for nothing. One of the boat fixer's will chime in about the gauge.

[haleysgold]

I think boat gas gauges and concrete have the same MO.

2 types of Concrete - the kind that is broke and the kind that is going to break...same goes for Boat gas gauges.

I've never had a gas gauge in boat yet that lasted very long...even after the dealer fixed it.

There are other threads on here about running it empty, put 10 gallons in, then run it empty again. Then do the math to figure out how many miles you can go per gallon. Or fill it up every time you go out. Or carry an 5 gallon can.

What a PIA !!!

[delcecchi]

Amazon sells replacement senders at a good price. Sounds like you need one.

[JosMN]

Float stuck? Sometimes when i have say 10-15 gallons in my 20 gallon tank it will read emtpy when i hook it up to the truck. When i get to the launch or start moving from the access with the boat it reads fine. It has always done that from time to time.

[Ufatz]

There are various ways of calculating it and you have to adjust to your particular engine and boat, but figure our for yourself what your consumption is. Gas gauges are an invention of the Devil-never trust them. And frankly, from what I have seen on most of these small boats ALL of the gauges are pretty much junk. When we moved down here to lower 48 I bought, after a lot of research, a nice 1850 Crestliner w/115 Yamaha. We use it maybe twenty hours a summer. The Faria gauges lasted maybe two years. But I never trusted them anyway. I think the charging meter works. I've never heard of Faria gauges but then I'm new to these boats.

Take some time to learn consumption, learn to hear and feel your engine RPM's, stay in touch with your oil and water.

Some day, when all the planets are in alignment and the news no longer carries stories about Paris Hilton and royal babies somebody will make REAL gauges for small boats.

Until then, YOU are the smartest thing aboard that boat.

[liebs]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll probably deal with it the rest of the summer and check out where the sending unit is located. I found them on Amazon Del and they get pretty good reviews. Most say they are easy to replace. I'll check for myself before ordering. My boat is kept up at the lake so I'll have to wait another week to look at it.

Don

[h8go4s]

stories about Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton? What's she up to now?

[delcecchi]

Normally I think they go in the top of the fuel tank. Hard part is getting to the fuel tank.

[liebs]

I found a Glastron forum and did a search on sending units. One guy with a 1999 said that there's an access panel under the seat. I may have to pull the carpet and take a look. It's snap in carpet so it's not that hard.