www.iFourWinns.com

Any suggestions as to what happens to the fuel level gauge to make it stop functioning accurately? Is there a simple fix?

I just noticed last season that it was starting to only show a level when the tank was over 1/2 full but otherwise just read E?

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2011 H200
MerCruiser 5.0 MPI/Alpha 260 hp

The sender unit inside the fuel tank is likely at fault or you have a bad electrical connection. I would start at the fuel gauge and check connections first because it is easier. To replace the sender unit you need to open the port on the fuel tank. This is a job for a mechanic unless you know exactly what you are doing and fully understand the risks of working with gasoline vapors.

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2006 Sundowner 255, 5.7 GXi, 320 hp
"Simply Irresistible"

So...no taking a peek in the fuel tank with a Zippo for light then? Lol.

No - I would have someone qualified do that for sure. Is it a common issue? I recall numerous boats I've driven in the past having dead fuel gauges too?

Thanks.

You can make sure that the connections on the back of the gauge are tight, and you can do the same for the connections on the sending unit (usually under the gas tank hatch or a circular deck plate if there is no hatch for the tank).The sending unit is usually under the rear seat area.
They are not hard to change but obviously you need to be careful with gas fumes.
I always shut off the battery switch when doing jobs like that.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Mine doesn't hit E immediately when it gets to half, but you can damn sure watch it moving that way. It will stay on full a long time, then once it starts downward it makes up for lost time.

Maybe I have same issue but always thought the floating sending unit was ineffective in a rocking boat. Several have gone with fuel flow meter.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Gas gauges are so inaccurate in boats I am surprised they even use them or haven't come up with the tractor style gauge right on top of the fuel tank.
By all means get it fixed but I've learned to use my hour meter along with the gas gauge to estimate usage. When trailoring I filled up before every run and watched the clock. Now being slipped I go so many hours and fill up if the gauge is close to 1/2 which really means only 1/4 tank left. If we are going on a long run I will fill up regardless. I have found 10 hours is roughly 1/2 a tank in mixed usage.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

"Gas gauges are so inaccurate in boats I am surprised they even use them" Well, for me that statement is not that far off. You need to know your boat! I use a flow meter too. So between the GPH and the fuel gauge, I have a better idea of how much I have left in the tank.

Actually when the boat is floating level they are not that inaccurate. Think about it, the tank is long and narrow and the trim changes a lot on boats in use. At the gas dock if mine says 1/2 it takes about 20 gallons to fill it. That's just about right. So I check it when I head out before running on plane.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

The answer to the original question is probably the sending unit in the tank.
If it always works above 1/2 tank and just drops to zero below.
The gauge works with a moving arm and resistive contact system (potentiometer).
The contacts below 1/2 tank are either fowled due to contamination or the wire is broken below 1/2 tank.
Either way, it is an easy fix to buy a new sending unit and install.

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The Dance II
2007 278 Vista
6.2L Mercruiser

Sending unit going bad is common. Get a reed switch type and never worry about it again.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Thanks for this.

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2011 H200
MerCruiser 5.0 MPI/Alpha 260 hp