I have a new to me (3 years) 1999 272 Sailfish with twin Yamaha 225 OX66 engines. There are two fuel tanks - a 150 and 50 gallon. When I bought the boat both tanks had water in them so I had them emptied and cleaned of varnish. Also, I had the fuel system replumbed to eliminate the 50 gl tank since I don’t need that high capacity of fuel. So only the 150 gl tank is being used now. I ran out of gas. The fuel gauge showed 1/3 full. The fuel monitor, which is very accurate, showed just over 100 gls used. Can’t tell if the tank is original, but I suspect it is. The fuel pick up tubes are welded into the tank so I can’t tell how long they are. The entire fuel system has Checked out OK. Essentially I can only use 100 gls out of a 150 gallon tank. This can’t be right - what am I missing?
Fuel Problem
- Thread starter willyp
- Start date
Look on the tank near the sender end or the fill end for the label that lists capacity. It is unlikely if the tank is original that both pickup tubes would be too short. In addition, if run and a buddy stand aft, the level will increase around the rear of the tank resulting in the pickups working for a short time. Something else is wrong. Could be as simple as bad data on the fuel gauge. I don't suppose you happened to check the gauge reading when the tank was cleaned and empty as well as how much fuel it took to fill it. ( How do you know the tank was full?
I did not check the gauge when the tank was empty and did not fill the tank after it was cleaned. At that point I had no reason to believe there might be a problem. I can tell you what the fuel gauge and fuel monitor read when I ran out of gas. The fuel gauge read 1/4 to 1/3 full and the flow gauge read just over 100 gallons. The flow gauge is right on the money - I am confident it is correct. I ran out of gas about 200 yards from a fuel dock And got a tow from a friend. Filled up and the engines started right up.
You can still open the sending unit and peer in there to look at the pickup tube - just don't drop your phone if you need to stick that in there to look.
Are you sure the fitting on the top of the tank doesn't screw out?
Are you sure the fitting on the top of the tank doesn't screw out?
SkunkBoat
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How many gallons to "fill up"? 100?
Did you reset the fuel management after the tank was done? and after you just now added gas?
Does your fuel manangement know how much you hold or just tell you burn from last reset?
If your fuel management knows what you can hold, did you correct it after you removed a 50gallon tank?
We don't know how many gallons you started with but it "was not filled after it was cleaned".
We can't be sure your fuel management was reset to zero when you added gas the first time after the repair.
You need to start from scratch with a full tank and reset the fuel burn to zero.
or a faster way...
Remove the sending unit and dip stick the tank level and also test the float sensor at different levels
(don't remove the sender if you have a full tank)
I probably wouldn't advise the sender removal yet. The OP needs to be sure he understands the difference between burn rate and remaining fuel level as far as the fuel management system goes.
Two many unknows so far to make a reliable analysis of the problem.
Two many unknows so far to make a reliable analysis of the problem.