Fuel Gauge
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Forum rules
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
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BodgeItAndScarper
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:43 am
- MGF Register Region: Thames Valley
Fuel Gauge
Is empty at the top or bottom of the red block? Mine's been misbehaving lately, giving variable readings, and I don't want to risk draining the tank.
Re: Fuel Gauge
I've had mine half way on the red block once with no problem. Wouldn't make a habit of it though!
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BodgeItAndScarper
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:43 am
- MGF Register Region: Thames Valley
Re: Fuel Gauge
I don't - but if I can avoid topping up at motorway prices... That block would be an eighth of a tank or so if the scale changed linearly, but it doesn't. Was going down so fast the other day, I was checking the rear view mirror to see if I was trailing a stream of petrol onto the road!
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Reckless Rat
- Posts: 1902
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:01 am
- MGF Register Region: Europe
- Model of Car: 97 1.8mpi in BRG
- Location: South of France - in the Gard.
Re: Fuel Gauge
Running out of fuel isn't a good idea because you can damage the cat. Replacing it will cost more than a few litres of motorway fuel.
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Mykel
- Regional Rep
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- MGF Register Region: Europe
- Model of Car: MG TF Monogram
- Location: Schwalmtal, NRW, Germany
Re: Fuel Gauge
And it’s an easy way to kill the fuel pump as well. The constant flow of petrol through the pump acts like a kind of “coolant” for the pump, so if it runs dry chances are that the little pump motor burns out. My TF’s PO had been there and fitted a cheap aftermarket pump. Which wasn’t a wise decision from hindsight.
MGTF:
2004 TF 135 in Monogram Spectre, black leather, RHD
MGZR:
2001 ZR 160 in Solar Red, LHD, LPG conv
Classic:
1972 MG Midget MkIII RWA in Blaze Red
MGF Register regional rep for Germany -- germany@mgfregister.org
2004 TF 135 in Monogram Spectre, black leather, RHD
MGZR:
2001 ZR 160 in Solar Red, LHD, LPG conv
Classic:
1972 MG Midget MkIII RWA in Blaze Red
MGF Register regional rep for Germany -- germany@mgfregister.org
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BodgeItAndScarper
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:43 am
- MGF Register Region: Thames Valley
Re: Fuel Gauge
Quite. Hence the question. If it in fact has a couple of gallons left at the top of the red bit, that's a good margin; if it's running on fumes at that point trouble will come knocking.
(Ok, the F's my newer car, trouble is my Mr Brownstone - but I try to minimise my exposure.)
(Ok, the F's my newer car, trouble is my Mr Brownstone - but I try to minimise my exposure.)
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talkingcars
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- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: Fuel Gauge
Why not wait until you are at the red and fill it to the brim, let us know the result.
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
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MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
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RobboMC
- Posts: 1077
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- MGF Register Region: Eastern Australia
- Model of Car: 1999 Mpi
Re: Fuel Gauge
When I rebuilt my car it ended up completely dry of fuel. Since it was a long way from MoT I brought fuel in a gerry can from the servo.
I put 5 litres in the tank and the gauge did not move a whisker. 5 more litres and the gauge moved to above the red.
I think there's around 4 to 5 litres left once you get to the red zone. I always fill up at around 2 bars above the red, it's not worth the risk.
I plan on doing some interstate trips later in the year which down here means 900-1000 km and I'm wondering if I'll be able to get 500 km
out of a tank, so I'll probably be testing my resolve of not going into the red zone. maybe I'll be doing 3 x 300 km stints as the petrol station is never exactly where you need it.
I put 5 litres in the tank and the gauge did not move a whisker. 5 more litres and the gauge moved to above the red.
I think there's around 4 to 5 litres left once you get to the red zone. I always fill up at around 2 bars above the red, it's not worth the risk.
I plan on doing some interstate trips later in the year which down here means 900-1000 km and I'm wondering if I'll be able to get 500 km
out of a tank, so I'll probably be testing my resolve of not going into the red zone. maybe I'll be doing 3 x 300 km stints as the petrol station is never exactly where you need it.
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Reckless Rat
- Posts: 1902
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:01 am
- MGF Register Region: Europe
- Model of Car: 97 1.8mpi in BRG
- Location: South of France - in the Gard.
Re: Fuel Gauge
When I went to Italy in mine I was getting over 400 miles out of a tank, averaging over 45mpg. 600km should be doable as long as you're not going banzai.
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Charless
- Posts: 2375
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:52 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Coast
- Model of Car: 96 Mpi, 99 VVC
- Location: Chilbolton
Re: Fuel Gauge
I have had more than 500 miles from a tank so 500k should be easy.
When I bought one of mine from a dodgy dealer he said the gauge was broken (as it was half again below the bottom of the red) but it had plenty of fuel in it. So I drove 15 miles before finding a garage and put 40 odd litres in. I had mixed feelings as I drove away and the gauge slowly rose to a bit over half full. I suspect the 'calibration' is neither very uniform nor accurate!
When I bought one of mine from a dodgy dealer he said the gauge was broken (as it was half again below the bottom of the red) but it had plenty of fuel in it. So I drove 15 miles before finding a garage and put 40 odd litres in. I had mixed feelings as I drove away and the gauge slowly rose to a bit over half full. I suspect the 'calibration' is neither very uniform nor accurate!