www.iFourWinns.com

Hi guys, I have a 1996 238 Vista, so it has the gauge cluster instead of individual gauges. Well the gas gauge is bouncing around a little bit. Its not terrible, but hard to feel comfortable about the fuel level when getting below a quarter tank. Also, the trim gauge seems to be way off. The bottom 2/3 of the trim range all reads as fully down trim. Only when it gets really high does gauge seem to read anything close to accurate. Any ideas how to fix them?

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1996 Four Winns 238 Vista
Lake St. Clair, MI

What motor and outdrive

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

It has a Volva Penta 5.8 FI motor, but im not sure what you mean by type of outdrive? I didnt know there was more than one option.

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1996 Four Winns 238 Vista
Lake St. Clair, MI

In regards to the outdrive, is it a duoprop model or single prop?

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'99 258 Vista Cool Breeze II

I'd be real hesitant to be running around under a quarter tank. I, except on rare occassion, never let my tank go below half.

When you're under way, your bow rises and fuel in the tank changes position. You're most likely getting different readings when your still vs. under way. The gauges aren't the most accurate anyway, but unless you're operating not far from your slip or ramp, in my opinion, you're running the risk of running out of fuel.

There are several factors which will affect fuel consumption. Speed, wind, current, conditions, number of people on board, etc. You may want to figure out how many gallons per hour you typically burn.

Question, how bad does the gauge bounce when the tank is full?

Piece of advice (take it or leave it), I'd top her off and don't let it get below 1/2 tank if possible.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

I think that both issues are more likely to be the sending units than the gauge cluster (unless it was not working at all).

Trim sending units are notoriously unreliable...and not easy to replace
Fuel sending units are also more likely to fail than the gauge, so I would start by replacing the sending unit.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

It is a single prop. When it is full, gauge hardly bounces at all, but gets worse once some fuel has been consumed.

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1996 Four Winns 238 Vista
Lake St. Clair, MI

I have a volvo 5.7. My trim sending unit is on the out drive on the right side standing behind boat. It is round with 2 screws in it. Loosen screws and rotate it. Turn key on and gauge will move as you rotate sending unit. Adjust and tighten.

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

My gas gauge was fairly acurate once I'd worked it out ...1/4 = empty
1/2 = needs filling
3/4 = half full
full = 3/4 tank
gas coming out of filler tube = full tank

I used the genral rule of 1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 spare.

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Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300