I'm just starting to get acquainted with my new '02 diesel. Just one of many things that pushed me to the Dodge Cummins diesel over Ford and Chevy was the Dodge stock 34 gallon tank as opposed to the Ford & Chevy 26 & 28 tanks. Give me range!
Anyway, as I get familiar with fuel gage accuracy on this truck, it appears that the gage is off by 12%-14% at 1/2 and at 1/8 (when the low fuel light comes on). I was able to add 25 gallons when the gage was at 1/8.
Do the math - 7/8 or 87.5% x 34 = 29.75 gallons. Almost 14% off what it should be.
Of course, the error is on the good side, I guess. Won't likely be running of out fuel. When the fuel light comes on, I figure I can go another 150+ hwy miles. I'm getting 18+ mpg break-in, right off the lot. Altho I've never seen a really accurate fuel gage on any vehicle, this one seems to be off more than any I can recall.
Or could it really be more than a 34 gallon tank? I'm not too interested in drying out the tank just to find out the hard way.
I'd like to hear comments on your experience with this.
AtcoRT01
08-03-2002, 10:56 PM
I dont have a diesel but i have run out of gas a few times because fuel gauge is always off.
dodge_em
08-06-2002, 10:05 PM
Even the overhead computer in my truck will err to the cautious side. It can run down to "0" miles until empty and still have fuel left. I don't think I have ever put more that like 32 gallons into my truck at a fill up, and that is even filling the fill tube all the way up to the fuel cap. So It is nice having the larger tank. I have even considered getting an auxillary tank put in the bed with a cab control box to switch them when the regular tank runs low. This would also be helpful when you find that killer deal on fuel at a station. Don't run the diesel out of fuel though. Re-priming the tank will probably require taking it into a Cummins repair shop or a Dodge dealer if you can find one near where you run out. I try to get fuel as soon as the light comes on, or before if I can. 72,000 miles and climbing on my '01 and haven't run out of fuel yet. It just keeps running stronger and stronger.
Welcome to the board, Rich. I think you will find it a good source of information. If I can be of any help at all, just ask. The only silly question is the one that goes unasked...
--dodge_em
HankL
08-07-2002, 07:35 AM
It seems to be very common for all the gas tanks in the Dodge trucks to read 'short' with at least 5-7 gallons left in the tank below the E mark.
The sending mechanism inside the tank is a electical 'ohmic' resistance sender. By paralleling or series connection of the appropriate resistor to the wires leading away from the level sensor you should be able to 'fine tune' the readout if you are williing to do the background work.
The first step would be to measure the number of ohms of resistance of the sender when the fuel tank is totaly full, and then measure the ohms of resistance again with half a tank, then again with only 1-2 gallons in the tank.
The Field Service Manual (FSM) has a section on the fuel sender that you should read. After getting your full/empty ohmic measurements and comparing them to the specs in the FSM you could get an electician or electrical engineer friend to tell you the two resistors you need for fine tuning.
As many members of this board will attest, this fuel sender is also prone to going bad. After 130,000 miles and 8 years my gauge is now erratic in the quarter to three quarters areas and swings back and forth wildly while driving.
There was also a recent issue where an additive that Shell Oil used in their gasoline caused many Chrysler gas tank senders to go bad. Shell has a nationwide program going to pay for this in both the USA and Canada.
Billy Joe Hendr
08-21-2002, 05:33 PM
When I go Look to buy a vehicle I look for quality. I don't make my decisions based on the fuel tank. That is stupid. I can see you now working on your Dodge telling your buddies how great it is because you have a 34 gallon fuel tank. Besides if big tanks are what you want, have the option of a 2nd tank put on a chevy or ford.
This message brought to you by:
Billy Joe Hendrix
Rich G
08-21-2002, 06:32 PM
No, Billy Joe, I'm not crazy. Are you stupid?
You took me out of context. I said "Just ONE OF THE MANY THINGS that pushed me to the Dodge Cummins diesel over Ford and Chevy was the Dodge stock 34 gallon tank as opposed to the Ford & Chevy 26 & 28 tanks."
Besides, I do think that this is a quality truck. I have had Chevys and Fords and they are generally pretty good. But the MAIN event here is the ISB Cummins.
If you just want to knock Dodge Cummins Diesels without any specifics, go to the Ford and Chevy discussion boards! They'll love you, Billy Joe! You got specifics? Let 'em fly!
Rich G
dodge_em
08-22-2002, 09:19 AM
Rich G,
Well put!!
But let's keep the name calling to a minimum.
Billy Joe,
Please read my comments on one of your other posts. We don't need any useless ignorance on the site. Be constructive, be funny, be helpful, but don't be ignorant.
If you have specifics on how the Fords and Chevys are superior, like it was said bring them on. If you are just here to bash Dodge, you are like a hen in a den of foxes. Won't find much support here for your theories.
Billy Joe Hendr
08-22-2002, 11:23 AM
The Dodge Cummins is a good engine. I will give you that. It has great torque and horsepower specs. But the way that last message sounded, it seemed like the only reason you bought a Dodge was because of the fuel tank. I was just giving you something to think about.
Here's one thing you can think about. The new Ford diesel. I have looked at the specs on this Diesel and they are leading the Diesel industry now for pickup trucks. You better hope Dodge can come back.
This message brought to you by:
Billy Joe Hendrix
dodge_em
08-22-2002, 11:50 AM
Billy Joe,
Check out this thread that I just posted...
New Dodge Diesel (http://64.4.36.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=bce4b380c9f6ca3771c8ed7394c6e768&lat=1030030560&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2edodgetalk%2ecom%2ff orums%2fshowthread%2ephp%3fthreadid%3d2621%26goto% 3dnewpost)
I don't think the new Dodge has anything to worry about when compared to the other brands. Dodge is definitely still head of the pack.
Tahoe
05-08-2003, 03:06 PM
I have the same issue with my 03 CTD at E there is still 5 or 6 gallons. One time I did push it to fare one time and ran it out of fuel it took 34 gallons exactly.
phox_mulder
05-08-2003, 06:23 PM
You want to keep in mind that the injection pump uses fuel to cool itself.
Over half the fuel going through the VP44 is returned to the tank.
Someone did a test once, using a 5 gallon fuel can as the main tank, after driving using half the can, the fuel left in there was very very warm.
(they didn't mean to have it be a test, they either had a leak in the main tank, or were getting a replacement, and had to drive to wherever they were haveing the work done)
Running anything below 1/4 tank leaves only hot diesel to keep the VP44 cool and happy.
I'm more than happy to fill up when I get to 1/4 tank, or when the low fuel dinger goes off, and only pump in 24 gallons.
Either that or shell out $1,300.00 for a new VP44, plus labor.
phox
cargenuis
06-02-2003, 04:00 PM
Originally posted by Rich G
I was able to add 25 gallons when the gage was at 1/8.
Do the math - 7/8 or 87.5% x 34 = 29.75 gallons. Almost 14% off what it should be.
Too much math! Brain hurting..............LOL
i'll leave the math to you guys ANYDAY!!!
anyways.........it is very hard to find a perfect a fuel gauge.....it's kinda funny because the fuel gauge is one of the most vital insurments!
When i get my Ram, i'm gonna have a 10 gallon aux tank installed on the opposite side of the normal tank with a remote control placed in the cabin, so i can stock up when there is a sale and if on the off chance i run outa gas on the road i can flip the switch and cruise to the local diesel station. Basically what dodge_em said LOL.
BTW: Where is Billy Joe's post??? Did they remove it???
Dave
mark thomas
06-23-2003, 11:08 PM
Is'nt something like a 5 gallon reserve, can't remember exactly where I heard or read that
DILE02
06-25-2003, 06:41 PM
On the 03 diesels the book says the computer and gauge will read so as to leave 20% of the tank in reserve. So on a 34 gallon tank it will read empty when it still has 6-7 gallons left.:cool:
MSCH2112
06-25-2003, 06:59 PM
i really think dodge intended for the fuel gage to err on the good side. dodge does NOT want it's customers to remember their dodge vehicles as running out of gas.
toolgrinder
07-21-2003, 05:42 PM
I hate it when I have to read the book to find out something. But...I did read the book for my new diesel, since it was my first one, and it does say that the gage is built to read less than actual to act as a sort of reserve. Great thinkiong on their part I think. Especially since I'm one of those guys that used to let the tank get almost empty. Geez, I used to hate stopping for fuel.
