Member Since: 28 Jun 2023
Location: High Wycombe
Posts: 24
Disappearing fuel that slowly returns
Hi,
My D3, MY2005 HSE TDV6 2.7, has a strange phenomenon where sometimes it seems to steal all the fuel, or at least a large quantity, from the fuel tank and then slowly returns it.
This morning I had about 1/4 of a tank, maybe just under, and 78 miles on the range. I drove it around to the back of the house and loaded up with some stuff. While I was sat there I had the key in the ignition and the electrics on so I could adjust the front passenger seat.
When I got back in and started her up the fuel gauge read empty, light on and the range was zero, i drove away int the direction of the nearest petrol station but by the time I got to the top of the road it was creeping back up towards the 1/4 mark again and 30 miles had been added, it finally settled back to where it was this morning but not for another 10 minutes or so
Does anyone else's do this or can anyone offer any reason why mine does this?
Thanks for reading
5th Apr 2024 10:05 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10676
They have 2 sensors in the tank. I guess one isn’t working correctly
5th Apr 2024 11:02 am
Swarman
Member Since: 28 Jun 2023
Location: High Wycombe
Posts: 24
Cheers Pete, I’ll have a look
5th Apr 2024 2:24 pm
jamez79
Member Since: 03 Sep 2018
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 585
Mine fluctuates a bit like that too.
I can get in and it says 20 miles left to empty. Turn the motor off and on a bit later and it'll say 70 miles to empty. The fuel level stays constant though, ie shows 1/4 of a tank left etc.
I guess it'll be a dodgy sensor too. My driving style stays the same so it can't be working out how i'm driving and adjusting it accordingly. Not to that level of 50miles difference.
Are they easy to replace and how do you know which one is faulty?
5th Apr 2024 2:25 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10676
I think they are all one unit? Not sure
Probably need to drop the tank.
See if the tank cradle is rusty and needs replacement first. Difficult to get hold of
5th Apr 2024 2:27 pm
Globetrotter448
Member Since: 21 Mar 2017
Location: Londonderry NSW
Posts: 1818
They are a PIA to change. Yes, tank needs to come out. Easy if you have long arms and small hands.
10th Apr 2024 8:22 am
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1664
jamez79 wrote:
Mine fluctuates a bit like that too.
I can get in and it says 20 miles left to empty. Turn the motor off and on a bit later and it'll say 70 miles to empty. The fuel level stays constant though, ie shows 1/4 of a tank left etc.
I guess it'll be a dodgy sensor too. My driving style stays the same so it can't be working out how i'm driving and adjusting it accordingly. Not to that level of 50miles difference.
Are they easy to replace and how do you know which one is faulty?
Isn't the range calculed dynamically, so depends on speed, type of driving etc? I know it doesn't fluctuate constantly, but thought it was based in some way on what the engine is doing, and perhaps whether engine is warm. Justynown thoughts/ experience.Gary
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