Phil Bishop Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Does your fuel gauge descend reassuringly slowly from full to half - then plunge from half full to empty like the bottom just fell out the tank? I know you get used to it in time, but it is irritating. Any cures for this phenomenon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_thombs Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Mine did that for 7500 miles, until now where it plummets to 1/4 full and then takes an age to get to red.......any cures appreciated here to ! Jon Beaulieu no31 My Caterham Pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Cook Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Mine stays at half until the tank is about quarter full then goes more or less straight to empty. 97 Vaux Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 You need to bend the arm on the fuel sender, if it's reading full for longer than it should then bend the arm up Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete east Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Phil I think this is common to a lot of cars (But you would think in this day and age manufacturers could devise an accurate linear fuel gauage that tells you exactly whatis left in the tank) Many tank senders are based on victorian ball valve technology. My tin top is a new mondeo which in so many ways is a truly excellent vehicle but the fuel gauge drops slowly to the i/2 way mark and once its over centre plummets to empty in no time at all. I usually use the trip meter to tell me when I need to fuel up again as the gauge seems not to be all that accurate. Ps the fuel guages in Piper aircraft are even more horrendous telling you you got 1/2 tanks when the B****rs are virtually empty!, I Never ever trust them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Bill Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Anyone put a flow meter in line so that they know exactly what has been used insted of what is left? Just a thought... I currently don't have a fuel gauge and rely on filling up soon after 100 miles BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy G Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Mine goes to 3/4 then flies backwards and forwards like a demented ferret trapped in a barrell. I've given up trying to cure it and refill every 100 miles or so. Andy G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Well, when I had to renew the ali fuel tank (micro holes!!!) I cleaned the wiper arm assy on the sender and then with a totally dry tank set it up so that it was reading full deflection when gently lifted to maximum up position (ie full tank). This was achieved by slight bending of the float arm. I then allowed it to lower and started filling the tank from 1 gallon plastic cans. The first one didn't even show on the gauge. The second one got it to move a little and when it was filled to the top it showed full on the gauge! It is now fairly good at giving about a 160-180 mile range. I have tried running it right onto the bottom where I guess it uses some of that first 'invisible' gallon and have got 200 miles (when being brave/adventurous/curious before it showed signs of fuel starvation around a luckily local roundabout!!! By the way, this is an accurate 200 miles (not a normal Caterham speedo 200 miles). Andy G. Sounds like the damping has gone in your gauge. Not a VDO unit is it? Edited by - CHRIS CLARK on 12 Oct 2003 23:35:44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 Check the earth to the unit - there's a cable under the left hand side of the dash which tends to fail to make a circuit over time . Gets you lots of funny stuff - does it get worse when you turn the lights on or the indicators? If so - earth Nigel Mills - 2.0 Zetec carbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickie Normuss Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 On another note, why does mine read 2/4 full, surely this should be 1/2 Seek forgiveness, not permission. 1700 X-Flow. The sweet sound of carbs!!! Look out, I'm armed and dangerous!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS TODD Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Forget the fuel guage, you must know how many miles to the tank, just set the trip! SILVER JUBILEE SE7EN 008 - the GOLD car they never built! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taran Las Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 My fuel gauge is a pathological liar ❗ Philip. D. Owen Membership No. 3976 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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