Why am i not getting 4 gallons?!

B

big girl

New member
I have a boulevard C50 and the records indicate it is a 4.4 gal tank. But around 120 miles i start to sputter so i go to the gas station and it only fills up 3 gallons? Where is my last gallon and why can't i use it?
 
Check your manual. Your tank probably has a reserve capacity of about a gallon that you switch to when the main tank runs out. Look for the gas shut off valve. The manual should give you the capacity of the full tank plus how much of it is reserve.
 
Well, you'll have to wait for one of the C50 riders to help. I've got a S50 and my reserve is I think the down position of the gas line valve.

Someone should come along soon I'm sure.

BTW, welcome to the forum. There are lots of Suzuki riders here.
 
My fuel tank is 4.1 gal., what is your riding style? Is your tire pressure correct? The soonest my light has come on is at 140 miles, no sputtering, and I usually put right around 3 gal. in it at that time.
 
These bikes are fuel injected. There is no reserve. If you're stumbling it's got to be something other than low fuel. The fact that only 3 gallons fill the tank is further indication that it's not low fuel. You're still under warranty. Take her into the dealer with the tank at the stumble point and make them fix it. No sense beating yourself up trying to figure it out.

Good luck.
 
:plus1: on C50 there is no reserve. I have never felt mine 'stumble' and also suggest this is an issue for dealer. I get about 135 mi before the light flickers and then fill up with about 3 or 3.2 gal... I have gone 165 mi with the light on steady for a long time...so on my C50 you can use all 4 gallons if needed !

Annie
 
My light starts to flash usually around 120 miles as well. I'm sure it's how it's being rode and the fact that I'm a larger guy. I usually put in around 3 gallons at that point as well. I have no idea how far I could go because once that light starts blinking, I start worrying.
 
is it under warranty?...take it to the dealer...but it could be a pinhole in the fuel pump pickup line.

Once the fuel level drops below the pinhole the pump sucks in air instead of fuel. I have seen this happen on quite a few cars/trucks.
 
Quit buying cheap gas. :)

Seriously, though, try filling up at a different station for the next three fillups (buy same grade you've been buying, which should be 87 octane) and see if that helps the mileage.

Also as others said, check your tire pressure and condition of your air filters. All will play a roll in mileage.
 
The mileage is not the problem it is the fact that i can not use the last gallon in the tank. i get great mileage



Thanks for the great suggestion!

Thanks Kodatech that is a great suggestion, i will try that
 
If you are empty after 120 miles...that's only 40 miles per gallon if you're only using 3 gallons. That bike should be good for nearly 50 mpg, if not 55.
 
I think the fuel light on the 2005 is not real accurate.I always wanted to run my tank out to see just how far I could get.Last time I figured about 45mpg.But I know what you mean the light comes on before it is really needed.If I had my druthers I'd have a gauge instead
 
Doh! My bad. I read your signature wrong. Thought it said 2008 C50.
It is possible that the pick-up for the fuel sending unit/pump is clogged not allowing it to pull from the bottom of the tank. 40mpg is pretty low for these bikes so there is definitely something not right (unless you drag race from every stop light). I've even heard of larger debris getting into a tank when you're not looking (leaf blew into one guy's tank) and it causes issues only when the fuel gets to a certain level.
You can try pulling the tank and dropping the fuel pump to see if it's clogged. Do you have a shop manual yet? If not, time to get one. Easily worth the $$.

Also, give us a download on any mods to your bike, maintenance history, etc.

Good luck.
 
Just a thought here....I was looking at the C50 specs...and on the 2006-2008 fuel capacity is listed as 4.1 gallons. On a few bike models, fuel capacity is a little less for a "california legal" bike due to a little bit of emissions equipment in the tank. Is it possible that your bike was originally a calfornia model and holds a little less fuel than the rest of them?

I dunno...just a thought.

One more thought....maybe you are getting vapor lock....next time it starts sputtering and you think you need gas, stop on your way to get gas, remove the fuel cap and then put it back on....see if the problem goes away.
 
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