Replacement fuel gauge?

[DrWin]

Hi guys,

I've replaced my fuel gauge with a new one, because the old one didn't register the first 10L of gas I put in the car, and would move irregularly up and down in a way with some relation to fuel consumption, but not remotely precisely. It was normal operation procedure to run the car for 50-100km before any fuel consumption was visible on the gauge, then the needle would drop to 3/4 tank. After af few hundred kilometers more, it would drop down to 1/2 again and then sometime back up to 3/4 without refuelling (magic!).

Anyways, I assumed the gauge was faulty so I changed it out, when I was replacing the fuel pump.

But I get the same result. (?)
Both the old and the new fuel gauge is the delorean.eu type.

So I guess my question is: What is the best available fuel gauge?
Is anything available that will more precisely detect 1) all the fuel in the tank and not ignore the first 10 L and 2) fuel consumption in a more gradual manner than jumping between full quarters of a tank?

[Bitsyncmaster]

You should pull your fuel sender and manually move the float to see if you have any dead spots. You may just need to clean the resistance wire on the sender.

[DrWin]

You should pull your fuel sender and manually move the float to see if you have any dead spots. You may just need to clean the resistance wire on the sender.

Dead spots? Places where the plunger sticks?
What if I find any? WD-40?

[Bitsyncmaster]

Dead spots? Places where the plunger sticks?
What if I find any? WD-40?

Carfully clean the silver wire with a scotch brite pad.

[CFI]

Hi guys,

I've replaced my fuel gauge with a new one, because the old one didn't register the first 10L of gas I put in the car, and would move irregularly up and down in a way with some relation to fuel consumption, but not remotely precisely. It was normal operation procedure to run the car for 50-100km before any fuel consumption was visible on the gauge, then the needle would drop to 3/4 tank. After af few hundred kilometers more, it would drop down to 1/2 again and then sometime back up to 3/4 without refuelling (magic!).

Anyways, I assumed the gauge was faulty so I changed it out, when I was replacing the fuel pump.

But I get the same result. (?)
Both the old and the new fuel gauge is the delorean.eu type.

So I guess my question is: What is the best available fuel gauge?
Is anything available that will more precisely detect 1) all the fuel in the tank and not ignore the first 10 L and 2) fuel consumption in a more gradual manner than jumping between full quarters of a tank?

The gauge hardly ever fails. The sending unit is usually the problem. If you search on here you’ll find instructions for how to determine which is faulty: gauge or sending unit.

[Chris 16409]

It sounds like the needle is moving as the fuel sloshes around in the fuel tank. I would take the sender out and plug both of the holes in the bottom. Use a couple screws and only put them in half way. This will allow gas to slowly escape from the tube. The needle should read more steadily.

[David T]

Most fuel gauges act as you describe, not moving for a long time when full and then moving in a non-linear amount. The OEM gauge is the most accurate but not the most reliable.

[DrWin]

It sounds like the needle is moving as the fuel sloshes around in the fuel tank. I would take the sender out and plug both of the holes in the bottom. Use a couple screws and only put them in half way. This will allow gas to slowly escape from the tube. The needle should read more steadily.

This is the one that came off the car:
DSC_0312.jpg

Those holes had screws in them, I suppose that is the screws you are talking about?

I don't think the new fuel sender has those holes. (It must have something for the gas to go inside...?)

I get your point, the gas needs to be able to go in at the bottom of the sender and air must be able to flow out at the top, I suppose?
But not too fast or the gauge will be very sensitive to bumps, curves, inclines, acceleration, etc.

[DrWin]

Carfully clean the silver wire with a scotch brite pad.

Roger - is that what the big screw at the bottom does, disassemble the sender?

[DrWin]

The gauge hardly ever fails. The sending unit is usually the problem. If you search on here you’ll find instructions for how to determine which is faulty: gauge or sending unit.

Thanks, I'll look into that.