Fuel gauge bounce

[Troy]

The fuel gauge on my 03 outback bounces quite a bit, to the point that it is almost useless. Just sitting on the trailer parked in a level spot with the ignition on it will bounce from 1/4 to 1/2 or even up to the 3/4 mark. I have checked all of the wires fo a good connection. What I am wondering now is if this is normal or something to have checked next time I am at the dealer.

[Ed G]

I can't tell how much fuel I have in the boat.

Guage read 1/2 full, but I could only get 7 gallons in before it was pouring out of the feeder tube.

After filling, I rode around for about two hours (on meter) and guage read almost empty.

I would change this guage to an electronic one in a heartbeat!

Ed G
2003 Outback

[DCM]

This past weekend we ran the boat pretty hard and the gauge actually pegged at "E". Filled it up and only took 19 gal, out of a 24 gal tank. So it would seem there's some play in the gauge. I would say that the highest bounce would be closest to correct.

[Troy]

I wasn't all that worried about the incorrect readings, I've never had a boat that the fuel meter worked well on. But yeah, same thing here, rode the boat hard all weekend the thing was pegged on "E" went and filled it up and after 1/2 hour its reading about 1/4 tank but bouncing all the way up to 3/4 tank in calm water.

[Inliner]

My 2003 Outback does the same thing. Odds are it is not the gauge but the tank. If a fuel tank has no baffles in it to prevent slosh, the gauge will fluctuate all over the place because the fuel is constantly sloshing around the tank. Short of replacing the tank, odds are it is there to stay. Just make sure when you are stopped that you look at the fuel gauge to get an accurate reading.

[Ed G]

man we need to get all these local outbacks together for an afternoon.

Waterboy lives close to me and the subdivision I live in has it's own boat ramp on Lake Louisa (Clermont chain).

[Inliner]

Orginally posted by Ed G

man we need to get all these local outbacks together for an afternoon.

Waterboy lives close to me and the subdivision I live in has it's own boat ramp on Lake Louisa (Clermont chain).



That would make for a fun weekend. I usually ski on Lake Catherine in Casselberry. But I am always game for something different. I will have to drag my co-driver and his wife along so I can enjoy myself too. Nothing stinks worse than being the only driver and you don't get to have fun.

[rrmuf]

BL: None of these fuel guages work WELL .... but these guages are particularly bad.particularly badly!

[outback-newbe]

I have not been able to get my gauge to read full under any circumstance. I have come to a complete stop at the marina, unloaded everyone from the boat and it will read ‘E’, still jumping around, and then I can only get about 16 gal. in it until it is pouring out profusely (even while pumping extremely slowly) then the gauge reads only about ¾ tank. It bounces around like hell even when it is supposably full. My ’03 Outback has about 10 hours on it and this is my biggest bitch. But it is a big problem!!!

[Termite]

I traded messages with some folks last year concerning this same issue. My dealer has replaced the sending unit, and replaced the gauge twice (last time with a gauge from a Supra). I still have no idea how much fuel I have, even at idle on calm water. I traded in a 1976 Checkmate and it always gave me a true reading whether at idle or 45 mph. Brian....are you guys looking into this or is there something our dealers are missing? Like most other owners, I LOVE MY BOAT, but I don't want to turn a good day into a bad one by running out of gas while cruising along and the gauge shows 3/4 full.

[Catdog1]

Same here with the 99 version ( not an LS ). A couple times I've slid the rear seat forward, removed a small center pad using a screwdriver, and visually checked the level in the tank ( you can see through the plastic ). Its always had more in it than the gauge indicates.

[Granite Mobius]

I'm hate to admit this but I've only owned my '01 Mobius for about a month and have already run out of gas once. I'll tell you what I'm doing now. I totally ignore the guage and just keep track of my time. With 5 jerry cans in the tank...I know I'll have 4 to 5 hours of running time. and the 2 1/2 gallon "easy on the ego" emergency can is always stowed away in the back locker.

Hey great participation fellow Moomba owners!! Great site.

[outback-newbe]

Moomba,...obviously this has been a problem for many years and is now a problem with my 03 Outback as well. What is being done to correct the problem?

[Brian Raymond]

Newbe, sorry for the delayed reply, I just got back from vacation(I actually get to go on one). I have surveyed the responses, I personally have not run into this issue because they are only run with approx. 8gals. of fuel. I will make sure this matter receives prompt attention, by notifying Matt Brown(Moomba Design Engineer). I will let all know of any info. that is passed on. Stay tuned.Brian Raymond

[wdf]

In my airplane the gas tanks are rubber bladders and they have a baffle at the inside (low) end to help reduce slosh from the outlet. his keeps the sending unit more stable as well. Maybe the tanks need to have such a feature. But, we never go by the guage in the air anyway--always time.

Maybe Skier;s Chice could sell an aftermarket kit that woul allow us to hook up a 2.5 gallon metal outboard can as a reserve tank????

[outback-newbe]

I contacted a local dealership Brickyard - Coldwater, MI and they said they have had to replace a doz or so this year and they are putting in a different sending unit that what is standard issue and that seems to take care of the problem. Not sure what unit they are using.

[Termite]

Hey Outback-Newbe,

Did the dealer you contacted replace the tanks AND the sending units, or just the sending units (with a different brand)? Do you have any info on what brand(s) they used, or can you give us the name and number of the dealer?

[outback-newbe]

Not sure,...i will find out on Thursday whern i take my boat in to get "fixed" and get the 10 hour service completed. I will let you know.

[outback-newbe]

When i took my boat to the dealership they refused to service it since i had not purchased it there. What a waist of a bunch of time! The owner went so far as to tell me to get off his property. He relly made a scene in front of other customers who could not help but laugh at his antics.

[Ed G]

They refused to do your 10 hour service?

I'd get on the phone to Skiers Choice about this real quick!

I just had to take my 2003 Outback for a 120 mile round trip to the dealer cause I couldn't get the friggen factory installed oil filter loose to do my 10 hour service. Kind of put a damper on the holiday weekend.

[outback-newbe]

Yes,...refused even after sceduling the apt. and knowing that the boat was not purchased from them. The owner walked out while i was checking in for my apt. and noticing that the boat was not purchased there he told me to get off his property and gave instruction to his employees that they should not work on the boat. He made one hell of a scene yelling in front of other customers. He was upset because i did not buy it there,...hell he was $3,000.00 higher than another location about an hour further away. I don't have $3,000.00 to just throw away to make him happy.

[Termite]

Hey Brian,
Any word yet on this from the design engineers?
Thanks for your help!

[Brian Raymond]

Looking at liquid filled gauges, and enclosed float housings, the floats used now are very sensitive and directly exposed to fuel slosh, will keep posted. Brian Raymond

[outback-newbe]

Any news on Moomba's fix? I would like my dealer to make this change at years end.

[purplepower]

I have never had much faith in marine fuel gauges for all the above reasons. We spent the weekend with my (new to me) Boomerang with a jerry jug on board just in case. The peak fluctuations on the gauge did indicate some idea of what was in the tank. I agree that this is not satisfactory but it seems typical of the standard these days. My 1957 boat has a reserve capacity controlled by a manual tap. Very crude but very effective and gives complete peace of mind. I suppose I would install a similar system (an extra pick up and three way tap) in the Moomba over replacing the gauge/sender if I felt it was a real issue.
The boat is fantastic!

[outback-newbe]

Going to be taking my boat in for winterizing soon. Would like to have this corrected at the same time if there is a fix found. What is the progress? Thanks!

[outback-newbe]

What is the update?

[Troy]

Any update on this? It has been over a year now since the original post.

[Chris_B]

Now that it's been 5 years...any news on this issue?

[Buttafewcoe]

I hired a miget to climb down in the tank........then he sticks up 4 fingers for full, 3 for three quarters, two for half, one for a quarter, and ten for 'break out yer paddle'
.

[kaneboats]

My gauge always says full so I don't ever put any gas in.

[Doublea]

I have an 03 Outback LS, the gauge works okay until about half a tank. From there it goes from half to below E and so on. Very annoying.