Fuel gage issue

[chefman84]

Good morning. For the last couple summers now I have been dealing with a fuel gage issue. When I fill up the gage does show full. However, after 2 trips to work and home, 60 miles round trip, the gage will show empty. It is only taking roughly 4 gallons to fill back up, so I don't seem to be losing any gas. However, I never really know what I have for fuel, and this past Friday that bit me in the ass when I ran out of gas 4 blocks from the station. However, after filling up, now the bike won't start, causing me to have to push it a mile to my house. Any ideas on what the issue might be would be greatly appreciated!

[Mr Jensee]

You can pull the fuel measurement sensor piece from the gas tank, see the repair manual in my signature if you need help getting to it (Chapter 2 fuel system). It has a metal arm that can be adjusted. But be advised the gas gauge is never really correct. Mine will stay on full for at least a hundred miles after topping off and start to drop drastically after that. I always go by the trip meter which I reset to zero at each fill up. At 220 miles I fill up with the bike showing still a gallon of gas in the tank. Less chance of you running out if you go by the trip meter. If there is gunk in the fuel tank it could be affecting the fuel pump when the fuel level gets low. I would try putting about 6oz of Seafoam in the tank for a few fill ups and see if that helps clean out the gunk.

[chefman84]

Thanks for the tips! I did used to go by the trip meter, but last year that quit working as well! I will roll to 9 tenths, and than gets stuck! But that is another issue!

[Highway Rider]

It would be normal for the fuel gauge to start to drop at around 100 miles as I have seen mine start to drop any where from 100 miles to 50 miles and that all depends on the speed that I was traveling at. To me the main concern is when the fuel light comes on and usually when it does light up it means that you have around 1 gallon of fuel left. I had to replace mine when the fuel light stopped illuminating and when I replaced it with a new one it also light up with one gallon of fuel left. So if you have never put in more the 5 gallons of fuel then you have had the opportunity to see the fuel light ,light up other then when you start the bike.
When mine starts to drop at 50 miles in to the ride it usually means that I'm getting around 36 miles to the gallon. If it starts to drop 100 miles into the ride it usually means that I'm getting around 45 miles to the gallon. This will give you something to go by.

[chefman84]

that's the tricky part to the issue. My fuel light didn't come on, and when I filled up it took 5.9 gallons to fill it. So I am kind of thinking the seafoam think might help, as I have never used it in 14 years with this bike. Thanks for the info!

[Highway Rider]

Okay now that you know that the fuel light does not come on the it is most likely one of two things it is either fuel lamp in the cluster - but if that illuminates when you start the bike i would thing that it is not the bulb. So then you would look at the fuel sending unit and there is no real fix for it other then replacing it with a new one. I replaced mine with one from Kawasaki and it was around $80.00 vary simple to replace.

[mistairs875]

I ran out today with 173 miles in, and it only took 4.7 gallons to fill it, and I had to get my fuel line unclogged to start it again, definitely gunk in tank, now, having said that, if there is that much gunk do you think sea foam would help, or is there another relatively simple way to clean out the tank? Even if it requires pulling tank off when I park it this winter.

[ekap1200]

Good morning. For the last couple summers now I have been dealing with a fuel gage issue. When I fill up the gage does show full. However, after 2 trips to work and home, 60 miles round trip, the gage will show empty. It is only taking roughly 4 gallons to fill back up, so I don't seem to be losing any gas. However, I never really know what I have for fuel, and this past Friday that bit me in the ass when I ran out of gas 4 blocks from the station. However, after filling up, now the bike won't start, causing me to have to push it a mile to my house. Any ideas on what the issue might be would be greatly appreciated!

As Jim mentioned , it could be a fuel gauge issue and replacement may be needed. Also at two trips of just 60 miles , that means your only getting 30 miles to the gallon... Most of us here will get on average 200 miles on 4 to 4.6 gallons of fuel riding one up even at highway speeds. Sounds like a few issues are working against you. And now the no/start issue... Once you recover from pushing it home, get a 3mm allen head socket and open the carb bowl drain to see if your even pumping fuel . There is one for each carb. looking from the right side of the bike. If you have ran out 6 gal of fuel in just two trips of 60 miles , you have a problem somewhere your not seeing.
Give us some more history on the bike. ie. Mileage, age, how many PO's. what service has been done (or not done), how well it runs when it is running....does it sit outside or in a shed during off months ?
Pull you seats off and inspect the wiring connection to the gauge for that issue. Keep looking for fuel leaks/ kinked lines, loose carb drian screws, 30mpg is just not right, There is a way to listen to your fuel pump, without turning the engine over , you would have to remove the two wire plug on the starter/solenoid on the left side and depress the starter button.
keep up informed, hope this info helps a bit on you repairs
Gene

[triton28]

Since the bottom of the tank is approximately 13" above grade when the bike is sitting, it should be possible to start a siphon going using clear plastic tubing, and one of those plastic squeeze type siphon starter pumps on the downstream end, to suck up the crud.
Or perhaps a hand operated vacuum pump may work to start the siphon. One could go in through the fuel level gauge opening but be careful of the rubber gasket as this an obsolete part.
Either way, remember that gas fumes can be explosive so use care however it is done and ensure there is adequate ventilation available if attempting this.

[Highway Rider]

It would be nice to know on that mileage that you are getting what kind of riding are you doing. Is it doing intestate and two lane .
What speeds are you travailing at, and what type of fuel, (does it contain alcohol in it and if so what percentage). If it contains alcohol in it that will cut down on the mileage no mater how you ride. More alcohol less miles to the gallon.
It's not uncommon for me to get the mid 30's on the interstates running 75 to 80 mph.
Two lanes riding 55 to 60 mph will get high 40's.
So there are a lot of other thing that come in to play when trying to get advice.

[timmerz_1]

I was wondering if my new (to me) '89 Voyager X11 had something wrong with it because I'm only averaging between 35-45 mpg, but reading this thread has given me a little comfort...my riding is hugely mixed, with high-speed commuting and slow around-town dawdling mixed together...it seems to burble (run mildly rough) at very low rpm but clears up immediately when the throttle is cracked, so I think I'm going to leave it alone for now...