Running out of gas when 1/2 empty?

dopeeboy · **Posted:** Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:57 pm

I just got my H180 w/Mercruiser 3.0L 135 MPI last week and I ran out of gas when the indicator read 1/2 empty. It went down to E and never came back up. I will take this in for warranty. Has anyone had the same problem before? If yes, what did you do to fix it?

gregs · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:08 am

The most unreliable piece of equipment on a boat?
The gas gauge.

Did it stay on E after you filled it up?

Fill it up, run it for a while and fill it up again to get some idea of fuel burn rate. That way you'll have an idea if the gauge is working.

I almost did the same with my H210 when it was new, I got to the gas dock and I'm sure I put 145L in a 151L tank.

Greg

Wet Doggg · **Joined:** Fri May 19, 2006 11:15 am **Posts:** 682

Greg is right. I do not even pay attention to my gas gauge. Calculate how much usage the boat has has as to when I need more fuel. Next spring I will be adding a fuel flow meter like this:

Had one in our cruiser and I loved it...very accurate.

pet575 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:27 pm

I'm sure yours will be more efficient, but I generally use 5 gallons per hour of boating at cruising speeds with a few people on board.

Walt · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:36 pm

All above are correct.

As someone who trailers regularly, I fill up every-other outing. That turns out to be about 1/2 tank for me, so not too much of a concern, and not as big a dent in the wallet each fill-up.

On one long trip, I stopped by the marina as I had already been on the water two days, and going 20 miles each way. Put 42 gal in my 40 gal tank (that was around $200). Gas gage read about 1/2.

Graham R · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2011 4:06 pm

Yes, the fuel gauge is useless; mine oscillates between 1/2 and 3/4 full even when the fuel tank is almost full; I rely on the Navman plotter with fuel flow/ fuel ramaining etc set up; very accurate indeed.

Graham

dopeeboy · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:06 pm

gregs wrote:

The most unreliable piece of equipment on a boat?
The gas gauge.

Did it stay on E after you filled it up?

Fill it up, run it for a while and fill it up again to get some idea of fuel burn rate. That way you'll have an idea if the gauge is working.

I almost did the same with my H210 when it was new, I got to the gas dock and I'm sure I put 145L in a 151L tank.

Greg

I filled up my tank today and it stayed at F. I pumped 22 gallons that cost me $75. On that full tank, i had approximately 9-10 hours of total engine run time, including at idle. My boat had anywhere between 3-6 people at different times.

gregs · **Posted:** Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:34 am

So, to be safe, figure on a fuel burn rate of 3GPH. 24 Gallon tank I would be heading to the gas dock every 5-6 hours.

Greg

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:09 pm

You all have it all wrong. It is not the gauge, it is the new E-15. 1/2 tank is now gas and the other 1/2 is water. :lol:

chrisvs · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 7:19 am

Greg has it right, and that is about the fuel burn rate I get on our 180. Bump that up to 5 GPH if you are pulling any kind of water toys. Also keep in mind that the bottom half of the tank has a taper in it, to follow the V in the hull, like this one...

So, you will also notice that the tank from F to 1/2 lasts alot longer than the 1/2 to E. Keep a close eye on your fuel usage on that last half of the tank!

skidaddytn · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2010 11:12 am **Posts:** 281

I really like that flowmeter! I fill up every other trip as well, but it would be cool to have a flowmeter for long trips

4WINNS4ME · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2011 4:59 pm

My gas gauge is funny too does anyone else's read higher while underway? If i am stopped with the engine running it will read say 1/4 but if i get up on plane around 20 to 25 mph it reads between half and 3/4

PDACPA · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:34 pm

Someone once posted that the fuel gauge on our boats is only accurate when the tank is empty.

I am the same as Walt. I trailer it and I hit the Hess station every time I pick the boat up from my buddies garage and top off the fuel. I always know I have a full tank and never really worry about it unless we are tubing and running long distances which is usually not the case.

I like that flow meter too. How do you install it? Though I think my Garmin 546s has an option on it to add a fuel flow meter too.

Wet Doggg · **Joined:** Fri May 19, 2006 11:15 am **Posts:** 682

PDACPA wrote:

I like that flow meter too. How do you install it? Though I think my Garmin 546s has an option on it to add a fuel flow meter too.

Very easy...just clip the fuel line in half right after the fuel filter and add on the sensor between the two ends. Then that runs up to your dash and into the gauge.

ric · **Posted:** Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:19 pm

I like that idea with the garmin. All in one gauges make me smile.

I'm averaging around 3gph with my 3.0.

www.iFourWinns.com

Running out of gas when 1/2 empty?

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