Faulty fuel gauge?

[FJTillDeath]

I noticed on my fj that the fuel gauge will "find" more petrol in the tank when standing up than leaning on its stand (obvious I know) what Id like to know though is the needle never actually stays fixed, like whem I crank up the throttle it will move up and down sort of swaying and when i move the bike forward it does the same but generally moves around the same area. Is this normal on an FJ or what could be wrong?

[andyb]

With some searching, you'll undoubtedly find the answer.  What you have is a lack of fluid damping in the gauge itself, it either leaks or dries out eventually.  Expect that at some time the needle will swing wildly, all the way around, and end up on the other side of the stop.  You can add a pin to limit the travel, but it'll still bounce.  You can do some surgery on the gauge and add more fluid to damp the movement, though it involves a drill and your gauge, so it's up to you how brave you feel.

[FJTillDeath]

At this present moment i do not feel very brave but when i feel more brave i will definitely try, but what kind of fluid would i need. Shoot me if the answer is "fuel gauge needle fluid"

[rktmanfj]

At this present moment i do not feel very brave but when i feel more brave i will definitely try, but what kind of fluid would i need. Shoot me if the answer is "fuel gauge needle fluid"

Dimethicone.

[Bozo]

At this present moment i do not feel very brave but when i feel more brave i will definitely try, but what kind of fluid would i need. Shoot me if the answer is "fuel gauge needle fluid"

Dimethicone.

Guys I have the same problem, where my fuel gauge starts bouncing erratically after (approx) 50kms, around town it is ok and on short trips. I've checked/ replaced the fuel sensor, and checked all electrical bits including hotwiring to see if its a poor contact that heats up after time.

Now I keep I read this forum and I took one of gauge covers off to find where I can add the silicone oil (in case this is causing my gauge to bounce) and I can't seem to see any fluid/ dampener container on the needle shaft, so where does this oil go? how much?. Can some post pictures or directions please.

[SkyFive]

For $10.95, the price of a pin gage drill bit and a syringe you could go into the FJ fuel guage repair business.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIMETHICONE-SILICONE-8-oz-/260696979049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb2c03669

[Bozo]

For $10.95, the price of a pin gage drill bit and a syringe you could go into the FJ fuel guage repair business.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIMETHICONE-SILICONE-8-oz-/260696979049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb2c03669

Skyfive, understand why we use the oil and I can buy it from a nearby chemist, can you shed some light on what the pin gage (Aust for gauge) drill bit is for, are there any instructions on line or can you give a description of how to do this maintenance, thankyou.

[racerman_27410]

For $10.95, the price of a pin gage drill bit and a syringe you could go into the FJ fuel guage repair business.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIMETHICONE-SILICONE-8-oz-/260696979049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb2c03669

Skyfive, understand why we use the oil and I can buy it from a nearby chemist, can you shed some light on what the pin gage (Aust for gauge) drill bit is for, are there any instructions on line or can you give a description of how to do this maintenance, thankyou.

the internal workings of the gauge must be accessed and the rear of the gauge is sealed.

a pilot hole must be drilled in the plastic case to allow the needle to penetrate the windings of the gauge so one may inject the dimethicone in the proper place which should restore proper damping to the gauge needle.

i guess a handy person could just heat up a paper clip and melt a small hole. 

or you could do all this and still wind up buying a new gauge (IIRC less than 50 bucks)

KOokaloo!

[Bozo]

For $10.95, the price of a pin gage drill bit and a syringe you could go into the FJ fuel guage repair business.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIMETHICONE-SILICONE-8-oz-/260696979049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb2c03669

Skyfive, understand why we use the oil and I can buy it from a nearby chemist, can you shed some light on what the pin gage (Aust for gauge) drill bit is for, are there any instructions on line or can you give a description of how to do this maintenance, thankyou.

the internal workings of the gauge must be accessed and the rear of the gauge is sealed.

a pilot hole must be drilled in the plastic case to allow the needle to penetrate the windings of the gauge so one may inject the dimethicone in the proper place which should restore proper damping to the gauge needle.

i guess a handy person could just heat up a paper clip and melt a small hole. 

or you could do all this and still wind up buying a new gauge (IIRC less than 50 bucks)

KOokaloo!

Racerman, it was my new gauge that also has a problem, obviously it wasn't stored correctly and allowed the fluid to leak out, I thought the plastic around the shaft was only a bush and didn't realise it stored dimethicone. I have small drills that I used for printed circuit boards. If I have any problems I'll let you know.
Maybe for future members I'll do a procedure (if I'm successful), chow and thanks

[Bozo]

P.S Racerman, whats with the Kookaloo?, obviously there is a joke in there somewhere, just curious -

[Bozo]

Racerman, I've enclosed a picture of my old gauge, where should I drill the hole - the plastic body that the windings are wound on or somewhere near the shaft?[img]DSC08468.JPG/img]. Opps for some reason the picture did not register, (I'll work on that later)

[fj1200d]

I was wondering the same thing when I first saw that, so I looked it up before I seen the answer on here...
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=kookaloo

Notice the reference to the FJ.. 
Is it true that it was someone's daughter on here that came up with it ?

P.S Racerman, whats with the Kookaloo?, obviously there is a joke in there somewhere, just curious -
[/quote]

[FJTillDeath]

It is actually quite amusing, as opposed to everyone saying the needle will bounce all the way around, my needle has now done the opposite and started bouncing down towards the empty I have the equipment and working on getting the dimethicone but as Bozo has said I also opened everything up and couldnt exactly see where the fluid went. Would you literally just drill a hole next to the very beginning of the needle? Can anyone post a picture with an arrow pointing to where the hole should be and also how much of the fluid shoud be used? I cant imagine much more than half a syringe would be neccassary?

[racerman_27410]

my little sister came up with the kookaloo word?    she used to scream it while wheelying her yz80 across my parents front yard.

KOokaloo! (have fun)

I was wondering the same thing when I first saw that, so I looked it up before I seen the answer on here...
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=kookaloo

Notice the reference to the FJ.. 
Is it true that it was someone's daughter on here that came up with it ?

P.S Racerman, whats with the Kookaloo?, obviously there is a joke in there somewhere, just curious -

[/quote]

[indyblue]

^^^ 

Maybe a reference to the Kookaburra?